Pictured: Ian Ashman, Systems Manager at Bullwell Trailer
Solutions
Independently owned Bullwell Trailer Solutions, has launched the
latest phase of its bespoke PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
technology - a move that will eradicate all paper usage amongst the
company's engineers.
Representing an investment of £250,000, the PDA system,
has been created by Bullwell in association with Iris, the UK's
largest private software house, and Cognito, the UK's most
experienced mobile systems integrator. It is used by all 50 of
Bullwell's mobile engineers to create electronic service records;
removing the need to print invoices, reports and transport
compliance audits.
The latest phase of this technology sees the introduction of
electronic service records for LOLER (Lifting Operations and
Lifting Equipment Regulations) and tail lift vehicles. In addition,
the system incorporates a KPI report, enabling customers to monitor
expenditure and produces a VOSA compliant service sheet, into which
an engineer can input details of any faults and actions.
Ian Ashman, Systems Manager at Bullwell Trailer Solutions says:
"Carbon reduction is an intrinsic business policy at Bullwell, and
reducing paper usage amongst our engineers has been at the
forefront of our decisions over the past few years. Not only does
our PDA system have huge environmental benefits, but reducing paper
also contributes to improving the company's bottom line and
ensuring maximum productivity."
Bullwell is now the premier company in the trailer maintenance
industry with 100 per cent of its engineers using paper-less
technology. The unique 'green' PDA system was first introduced to
the company's engineers three years ago and during that time has
undergone a number of upgrades to get to this latest stage of
technology.
Ian continues: "Using the latest PDA technology, our engineers
are able to electronically file job cards, breakdown details and
service sheets with our control room. As soon as an engineer
arrives on site to service a trailer, he selects and inputs basic
information such as time, location, the trailer chassis and fleet
number, along with the work which needs to be done on the
vehicle.
"This is instantly relayed to the office database which checks
and validates the information before allocating the work and
providing a full report of the trailer's service history together
with any customer notes. Within just a few minutes, the engineer
has both the information and authorisation he needs to begin the
service, and our head office is instantly informed that the work is
in progress."
Using product codes alone, the PDA calculates all the costs and
generates all invoices without the engineer having to carry
numerous catalogues and worry about labour rates, parts discounts
and VAT - all with no paper involved.
Ian continues: "We have now removed all the old glitches
associated with telephone calls and faxes and our engineers can
create their own calls and job cards even when the office is
closed. Our PDA system represents a significant investment but it
has been an important move forward and we are reaping the rewards
financially, productively and of course, environmentally."
Lichfield based Bullwell Trailer Solutions Ltd, which employs a
total of 75 people, has experienced a sustained period of growth
and expansion in both operations and service capability, increasing
turnover by 20 per cent from £5.6 million in 2010 to a
projected £7 million by its November 2011 year end.