Codegates complete mobility solution is enabling A-Plant to demonstrate that it is exceeding contracted service level agreements (SLAs), to key account customers.
Codegates mobilelogistics software, running on Motorola MC70 rugged mobile computers is being deployed throughout A-Plant, the UKs second largest Plant, Tool and Equipment Hire company.
Andy Wortley, IT Director for A-Plant, commented: Codegates expertise is based around its ability to tailor solutions that meet the individual requirements of its customers. In A-Plants case Codegates skilled software developers were able to develop a solution that was simple, but at the same time, delivered all the functionality we required. Crucially, Codegates mobilelogistics software, designed to support the dynamic services delivered by companies operating in the transport and logistics sector, has allowed us to reduce the amount of data input necessary and our users are able to quickly and easily operate the MC70s via a user friendly touch screen process.
Codegate worked closely with A-Plant to develop a customised solution that allows A-Plants drivers to complete vehicle checks, to ensure compliance with Government guidelines on health and safety requirements, before selecting a choice of job tasks to be completed. The driver selects whether he or she is to make a delivery or collection, carry out an exchange or attend a breakdown or perform a service. All tasks are completed utilising unique contract numbers or plant IDs for job and data validation and all are date and time stamped.
Codegates software combined with the MC70 allows our users to carry out barcode scanning, image capture, electronic signature capture via sign on glass capability, and real-time data communications from the field back to A-Plants back office systems via GRPS, added Wortley.
The combined capability of the mobility solution enables us to prove key performance indicators (KPIs) and meet the reporting procedures demanded by our key account customers. We are able to demonstrate that we are meeting SLAs through accurate reporting on job type, the date and time it was completed, with electronic signature capture as proof of delivery or job completion, continued Wortley. The imaging capability of the MC70 allows us to provide picture evidence of damage caused to its equipment and the ability to recoup the cost of repair without dispute.
A-Plant had previously trialled a mobile enterprise solution that would help the company to improve its business efficiency through the capture of vital information from its mobile workforce. But, the software was found to be over complicated and resulted in A-Plant encountering problems with user acceptance. However, a workable solution had to be found.
We looked at tidying up the original solution with our internal IT team but realised that the quickest and most cost effective route would be to work with a specialised mobile data solution provider, commented Wortley. Codegate was recommended to us and when we understood that the company had vast experience in successfully deploying large enterprise mobility solutions, had a competitive pricing structure, could deliver a solution that met our mobility requirements today, and those of tomorrow, and had strong relationships with rugged hardware manufacturers, chose it as our preferred supplier.
A-Plant has currently deployed the Codegate mobile solution on 250 MC70s across 28 of its Service Centres and is looking to further extend the roll out of the solution and to deploy it to other business areas such as its workshops.
About A-Plant
A-Plant is the UK's second largest Plant, Tool and Equipment Hire company. The company has over 2,000 employees nationwide and currently serves over 30,000 customers in the construction, industrial, commercial, utility and homeowner markets. A-Plant, which forms part of FTSE-250 company Ashtead Group plc, has in excess of 110,000 items of Plant, Tools and Specialist Equipment available to hire from 115 Service Centres across mainland UK. The companys product range extends from Plant and Tools to Power Generation Equipment, Accommodation Units, Powered Access Machines, Formwork and Falsework systems and Traffic Management and Control.
Last year A-Plant was singled out as the outstanding company in the UK construction sector by being declared the winner of the Contract Journal Supreme Award at the Contract Journal Construction Industry Awards 2008. This prestigious award is made to the company who the judges believe is leading the construction industry. A-Plant is the first national rental company in Europe to achieve dual certification to both the ISO 14001:2004 standard and OHSAS 18001:2007 specification covering health and safety and environmental procedures.
A-Plant is also the first major player in the European hire industry to achieve certification that covers the entire scope of the companys operations encompassing all A-Plant depots and administration centres. A-Plant offers the most advanced IT capabilities in the hire industry. The companys award-winning Extranet system allows customers to manage their accounts online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Consolidated information can be obtained for all transactions with A-Plant, regardless of what equipment was hired and which A-Plant location was involved, presenting the information by operating region and by postcode for particular sites. The ability to offer live hire reports and statements, forecast hire costs and make online payments also offers significant advantages.
About Codegate
Codegate specialises in the provision of robust mobile enterprise solutions that deliver a rapid return on investment through improved productivity, traceability and customer service levels. The company's solutions are used by transport and logistics, distribution, warehousing, retail and field service companies ranging in size from small to medium sized enterprises through to much larger blue chip organisations.
Codegate's solutions include mobilevantage a mobile workforce management solution for small businesses with around 50 mobile workers, mobilecourier - a highly configurable shrinkwrapped proof of delivery solution, mobilelogistics - a dynamic track and trace solution for transport and logistics companies and mobileworker - a real time job scheduling solution designed to optimise the mobile workforce for the medium to large enterprise.
Codegate has partnerships with leading rugged mobile hardware providers including Intermec, Honeywell, Motorola, Psion Teklogix and Zebra.
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