The Business Case for Mobile Computing
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Autoglass® Case Study
 In the modern business world of increased competition and pressure on pricing, there has been an increased focus on improving efficiency and processes. At the forefront of any campaign to improve efficiency would be an analysis of the current position - what do we do now and how can it be improved?
One of the keys to success in this area has to be removing duplication of tasks - empower the workers to perform tasks there and then! This has traditionally been a problem where workers are remote from the Head Office - they can do their jobs but cannot update any systems with the results. Typically this has been a manual process performed by another member of staff.
Technology has moved on to make this a thing of the past - workers are now in a position to do their jobs and update the host system with less effort than the previous manual processes. The end result is that workers are performing their tasks more efficiently and as a result getting more productivity in a day, and the need for manual data entering at Head Office is removed giving a manpower saving. Increased sales and less costs - sounds promising? So how can this be achieved?
Take an example of a typical van sales environment, where the driver leaves the depot in the morning with the van loaded with the stock for each specific delivery. He will either have a pre-printed invoice/delivery note for each customer, or a pack or blank 3 part sets for hand writing. At each stop the driver will:
- Deliver the goods
- Either give the pre-printed invoice/delivery note or
- Hand write the invoice
- Customer signs and is given a copy
- 2 copies remain with the driver
- At the end of the shift the driver returns the hard copies back to Head Office
There are problems associated with this:
- If the Invoice is pre-printed then the driver cannot react to customer requirements on demand
- Hand writing takes time and can lead to errors
- Duplication of effort when input clerk updates host system
- Process is time consuming and error prone
 How about this as an alternative solution? At each stop the driver will:
- Deliver the goods required
- Offer the customer any additional goods or specials available - potential to upsell
- Input the order into a portable terminal using touch screen
- Customer signs the screen
- Invoice/delivery note is printed on demand on his 'belt' printer
- On the way to the next stop the terminal is docked in a cradle and automatically sends the data back to head office
Benefits of this system:
- Each stop is quicker and more efficient - potential for more calls in a day
- Opportunity to upsell to every customer - more sales!
- No handwriting issues
- Data is immediately in the host system - eliminating the need for order entry clerk.
This example has used a van sales environment, but the message is exactly the same for any worker out in the field - give them the tools to complete the whole task there and then.
The ROI on such projects is usually months and sometimes weeks when you combine the increased sales and efficiency savings.
Click here for Smart Ideas For Enhancing Field-Force Operations PDF
Click here for Mobile Computing For Delivery And Pick-Up Operations PDF
Click here for Mobile Computing For Field-Service Operations PDF
Click here for Autoglass® Case Study
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