A new management software package on the market forms the center of an integrated Workforce Automation (WFA) suite for maintenance and operations. It includes a field force management package that provides real-time communications between dispatcher/supervisors and field workers.
The new PAC-Commander(tm) from Future Horizons also works with the companys Field-PAC(r) software to allow a remote or mobile user to review and execute work orders, and to access inventory availability and maintenance history.
The software allows remote computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), automated mapping/facilities management (AM/FM), global information systems (GIS), enterprise resource planning systems (ERP), outage management and trouble ticketing systems to work together. In addition to PAC-Commander and Field-PAC, the other parts of the WFA suite include Storz-PAC(tm) remote inventory management, Asset-PAC(r) field-based asset tracking, and Inspect-PAC(r) automated field inspections.
The software products can transmit data via satellite and over leading wireless networks, such as analog cellular, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), BellSouth Wireless Data, ARDIS and Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR), as well as over dial-up and LAN connections.
The software features a graphical interface and works with pen-based Windows PCs for completing forms and data collection. The Microsoft Windows(r) 95 or Windows NT(r) compatible software works with financial applications such as Oracle, SAP, and PeopleSoft, as well as CMMS like Indus International. PAC-Commander uses the Oracle data management platform, including its mobile products. The open-system architecture allows simple integration into existing systems including CMMS, outage management, Customer Information System (CIS), warehouse, trouble ticket, call center and ERP.
Using the softwares two-way communication feature, a supervisor can locate field workers and send them work orders in real time. Previously, field workers could transmit data such as job status reports back to an office, but supervisors or dispatchers could not send real-time data to field personnel. In conjunction with Field-PAC, remote users can review and execute work orders while accessing inventory availability and maintenance history.
"Combined with Field-PAC, PAC-Commander closes the circle of communications among maintenance field staff, supervisors and dispatchers by providing the final link between the base and mobile crews," said Joe Mediate, president and chief executive officer of future Horizons.
The software is designed for water and sewer utilities that use in-house maintenance. When a breakdown occurs, a supervisor can locate the crew nearest the outage. The supervisor can check the availability of the crew and ensure each member has proper certifications to perform the work. The supervisor can send a work order to the crews hand-held computer, running Field-PAC. Supervisors electronically can reassign work orders from one crew to another.
Software functions include: dispatching wireless work orders; real-time messaging; paging notification; locating assets, vehicles and crews using GPS/GIS technology; work order assignment/scheduling; work order load balancing and reassignment, managing work order backlog and organizing priorities, assigning repair parts, and receiving critical data from multiple sources.
