Integrated Mobile Work Management and Mobile GIS
Need for Strategic View
Implementation of the concept of field working crosses several traditional sections of the
business. It is unrealistic to expect to achieve the efficiency gains and change over
several business sections without working to a strategic view. The maximum benefit is
gained only when all components are put in place. In making the case for the investment,
it is important to ensure that the total view is embraced and the benefits signed up to for
the overall picture otherwise it is difficult to identify sufficient benefit to make a strong
business case for each individual incremental step of implementation.
STW embraced the overall concepts and looked to implement the overall solution
incrementally, recognising that the benefits would also accrue incrementally. The
diagram below shows the approach adopted that embraces the overall concept, but at the
same time shows the incremental implementation.
Why Mobile Work Management and Mobile GIS?
STW strategy recognises that if the field workers are to operate at maximum efficiency
they need asset support data, as well as job instruction tickets. Without the support data
the field workers have to return to base to obtain data to support the next job thereby
introducing significant unproductive time.
Section 2 Design Issues
Data types
The field workers data requirements fall into two categories:- job ticket and support. The
job ticket data is low volume and will be transmitted to the field worker dynamically,
using mobile communications. The support data, such as GIS records, is high volume,
and once loaded onto the handheld terminal needs less frequent updating and can be done
when the field worker returns to base at the end of the week.
Building block design
The system to deliver the functionality for the field worker has several broad
components. The diagram below sets out the main components.
Dispatching Module
The Dispatching module receives the work request and, using the parameters such as job
type, location and skill set matches the job requests to the available field staff in the
optimum way. This ensures that jobs that must be complete at a certain time, eg a
Customer Appointment, are properly resourced, and that the most effective route for
moving from job to job is incorporated, thereby ensuring maximum effectiveness from
the field worker.
Incorporated into the module are functions such as the calendar which has the availability
of each worker, and the data set that holds personnel information such as location and
skills that are needed for the scheduling part of the dispatcher to match the job task to the
available resource.
Communication module
The end result from the dispatching module is a task assigned to a field worker. The
communications module handles the transmitting of the task to the field worker. The
module holds the data indicating which communication method to use for which field
worker. Once the job request is received the module then transmits the job ticket using
the designated communications method that is assigned to the nominated field worker. In
this way varying options for communications can be handled, so that whether it be a fax
transmission to a defined location, or an overnight transfer of data via a dial up phone
line, or a link via a GSM phone. A strength of the design lies in that it is easy to
accommodate any changes in the methods of communication. The communication
module transmits the job ticket to the designated field worker via the specified
communications method
Interface to Corporate Systems
The system provided will interface to STW's DOJM work management database but by
using an MQ Series interface it allows for migration to a successor system. When jobs
reach an appropriate status (i.e have been planned), work requests are passed from DOJM
to the field system database ready for allocation and dispatch to field workers. Work can
be viewed in both summary and detail form at the office based, mobile dispatch system
located in Network Management Centres and operating depots and passed electronically
to appropriate mobile computers.
The mobile system enables job details to be completed on site before transmission back
to field system control and will contain status information related to job, crew and work
activity as well as time of day. Such status changes will be automatically forwarded to
the office-based system through the real time communications facilities are provided.
In addition to DOJM, other host systems such as UADMS (the STW GIS
implementation) will be interfaced to the mobile system to provide mapping, asset
records and other information required by the field workers.
The proposed system architecture is shown in the diagram below.
