|
As mobile working becomes more and more popular, employee tracking is fast becoming an integral part of people management within the public sector
 With more than a million mobile workers in the public sector – a number that looks set to grow rapidly - never before has there been such a strong case for tracking people who perform their job, or part of it, away from the workplace.
From issues of personal safety and ‘duty of care’ to improving customer service levels and straight forward bottom-line savings, employee tracking is fast becoming an integral and essential part of people management.
Leap forward
“Any government department or local authority with a mobile workforce, including those that work from home, should ask themselves if they truly know where their people are and what stage those workers’ jobs or projects are at,” says Peter Maddocks of Rapid Innovations, developers of the unique people tracking solution, Envision.
And rather than striking fear into public sector managers and workers, Envision’s ability to track mobile employees’ movements and the progress of their work should be regarded as a leap forward in business management. Indeed, it is the latest step towards driving efficiency, saving money and being able to provide management information that contributes towards compliance with the Working Time Directive. Envision (demo at www.envision-live.com) not only provides local government departments with the ability to address duty of care and Working Time Directive issues, but delivers them in the most cost effective and simple to use package.
This new solution tracks a mobile workforce via GPS enabled mobile phones that are back office powered by Microsoft Virtual Earth mapping technologies and Smart Client. Traditionally, mobile tracking is vehicle-based and this involves capital expenditure, maintenance, training and even IT system upheaval. Envision, however, runs without the need to alter existing processes or IT systems.
Capture of status information
Envision allows managers to pinpoint exactly where all mobile and remote workers are in real time - and see what they are doing. For example, are they travelling, on site or perhaps resting? Envision even indicates when a mobile worker is in trouble and needs assistance.
“Mobile workers can find themselves alone in situations that compromise their safety,” adds Maddocks. “With the advanced panic facilities of Envision you will know immediately when someone is in trouble and exactly where they are so you can take the appropriate action. Envision really does take a step closer to a duty of care environment.”
A study by the Health & Safety Executive concluded that whatever the size, location or nature of an organisation, there are simple, practical and cost effective measures that employers can use to help prevent and manage the risk of violence to lone workers. In particular, they show that effective measures do not have to be expensive and that technology has a key role to play. “Envision truly fills that gap identified by the HSE - on both cost and effectiveness,” says Maddocks.
Not only does Envision show where mobile workers are, it also maps the location of their jobs or appointments therefore providing a true visualisation of field activities and enables managers to plan work more efficiently. With Envision on board a 10 per cent improvement in productivity is typical of a highly visible mobile workforce. With 1.1 million mobile workers in the public sector this would equate to a national, annual saving of £10.5bn.
Savings
Impressive levels of savings have already been achieved in the private sector and in retail fashion, where margins are consistently compromised, Envision is re-shaping one company’s fortunes. Graham Orrell, MD of menswear specialist Carter, explained: “After Envision was introduced, our travel expenditure fell by over 22 per cent. With savings of this level, Envision has already more than paid for itself over the next 12 months.”
Additionally, the Gershon 2004 Efficiency Report looks to achieve a 2.5 per cent annual reduction in government spending across the board by 2008. “That equates to £21.5bn per annum. Deploying Envision could contribute significantly towards achieving this goal,” continues Maddocks.
In fact, Envision complements a number of Government initiatives. Back in November 2005 the Government’s Transformational Programme set out that a 21st century Government should be enabled by technology and that technology is a strategic asset not merely a tactical tool.
“Envision fulfils this technology role perfectly. It’s leading edge, it’s accessible, it’s easily installed and managed, it brings cost savings and can enhance employee and customer relations,” says Maddocks.
And the future looks bright as 80 per cent of Local Government bodies believe mobile technology will help them achieve their targets. “We believe Envision has huge potential in the public sector. This depth of real time mobile workforce knowledge is a genuine milestone in the convergence of mobile technologies,” concludes Rapid Innovations’ Peter Maddocks.
For more information
www.envision-live.com
|
