NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL

Innovative approach brings improvements in housing condition and efficiencies

APD, the UK's leading mobile information specialist, is supplying mobile data technology to North Ayrshire Council to help it cut costs and increase the efficiency of its mobile trade operatives, including plumbers, electricians and joiners. Trade operatives provide vital services to council tenants across the region, and APD's Mobile Information Platform (MIP) has been adopted in order to improve the service North Ayrshire offers and, consequently, improve housing conditions in the area.

Before the introduction of the new electronic job despatch solution, trade operatives were forced to make regular trips to a central council location in order to update paperwork, report on completed tasks and learn about new ones. They were also required to complete a significant amount of paperwork to request and receive new stock. This inefficient system will now end, as full task details can be sent directly to them via Panasonic toughbooks, using a GPRS wireless connection, and their reports can also be completed while on the move. Similarly, details on their stock levels are automatically updated on ROCC's Uniclass Enterprise System so that when they do report back to base their stock will be ready to be uploaded from the store immediately.