Field Service Software & Task Scheduling Systems

MJC²'s real-time workforce management solution MOBi turns the Pocket PC into a powerful mobile extension of corporate planning systems. In addition to providing a two-way data connection between the mobile worker and the central planning office, MOBi offers the capability to schedule and optimise the workforce in real-time. MOBi includes mobile workforce scheduling, employee self service, appointment scheduler & task scheduler, mobile data capture and real time data transfer capabilities.

Organisations which manage large mobile workforces need powerful workforce planning software to maintain the response and agility expected of a major service provider. MOBi allows very large, highly complex networks to be scheduled automatically in real-time, and its flexibility ensures that all business rules are modelled accurately to create usable, optimal solutions that are continuously refined and revised in response to events such as last-minute orders, urgent jobs or operational issues.

MJC²'s workflow management and work scheduler systems are the fastest available on the market. Capable of automatically scheduling and re-scheduling thousands of jobs in a matter of seconds, our systems create huge operational savings by making sure that even very large workforces are continuously optimised. Typical applications include:

• engineer job scheduler and field service automation
• real-time dispatch software for delivery operations and distribution networks
• sales force automation software solutions
• service management software for roadside recovery drivers and utilities engineers
• dynamic work scheduling software for mobile workforces
• care planning, nurse scheduling and medical scheduling software
• real-time employee planner and online appointment software
• day planner and event planner software

The key feature of MOBi is the ability to automatically schedule and optimise the mobile workforce. Not only does it allow real-time transfer of information but it actually responds to the incoming information, replanning job assignments or delivery schedules so that unexpected delays or last-minute orders are accommodated optimally with minimum impact on service levels or operational costs. Service engineers can send in reports and be automatically directed to their next job. Delivery drivers can receive instructions and send status reports while on the road. Sales personnel can check stocks and place orders on-line. Job scheduling, workflow management and mobile data capture functionality is integrated with a central real-time planning system to provide a complete mobile workforce optimisation solution.

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MOBi provides mobile employee self service functionality, enabling the workforce to log their activity and receive updates while away from the office. Users can record their working hours, log the completion of jobs, notify line managers of exceptions or problems and request updates to schedules via their PDA. The palm-based electronic scheduler allows users to view their planned activity, request or make modifications (self scheduling) and receive updates about the status of outstanding work. Requests for time off, overtime, training, etc. can be managed via MOBi, automating workflow processes. A configurable user interface ensures that the system is easy to use, requiring minimal training and thus facilitating roll-out to large, multi-skilled workforces.

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Real-time dynamic allocation of appointments can increase operational efficiency by up to 30%. MOBi's electronic appointment scheduler can dynamically assign appointments to suitably qualified staff and automatically update schedules based on cancellations, delays, changing priorities, etc. When planning appointments the task planning software takes account of factors such as current location, location of each appointment, skills/experience required, priority/urgency, required materials, etc. Remote synchronisation with central planning systems enables appointment calendars to be updated and controlled by managers or team leaders, ensuring visibility and cohesion across the operation. Real-time data links to document repositories, inventory/stock databases and reports provides the mobile worker with online information relevant to each task or appointment.

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As well as planning and scheduling the mobile workforce, MOBi provides powerful data capture tools for mobile workers, enabling real-time electronic capture of information such as survey results, job sheets, cost data and notes. Cost and connectivity are the key issues for wireless technology. MOBi is an efficient, robust solution which minimises network usage while offering an 'always active' environment. MOBi offers the mobile workforce a dynamic, user-friendly connection to core corporate systems. The MOBi architecture includes PDA software that provides a powerful workflow automation environment for the mobile worker, and by making use of the ever-increasing processing power and memory available to PDAs and palmtops, MOBi optimises the connection between the mobile user and central systems. Legacy databases, ERP systems, Client/Server applications and Web-based systems are all accessible to mobile devices via MOBi.

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MOBi offers a cost-effective environment for communication with the mobile worker. For many workflow software solutions, maintaining a continuous live connection via mobile phone is costly and often unreliable due to weak signals or overloaded networks.

But, irregular synchronisation of data without real-time access to enterprise databases leads to out-of-date information and the potential for serious conflicts. Maintaining correct synchronisation is the only way to prevent costly and embarrassing mistakes, such as supplying an order from stock which has already been allocated to another customer. These situations would not arise in a MOBi-enabled environment.

MOBi couples wireless communication and data synchronisation techniques, using them in alternation to continually maintain information on central databases while providing live updates for the mobile user. Thus for example, a salesman can display an on-line catalogue, view up-to-date stock positions and pricing policies, and place an order using the Pocket PC. In the background, perhaps even while the salesman is processing a subsequent order for a different customer, MOBi will update the central orders database when a connection is available and receive confirmation details and new stock positions.