Field data collection app allows business growth

Field Data Collection App allows clients to achieve their business growth objectives

Chris Jones said:

“We wouldn’t have won the tender with Brisbane Markets Limited and successfully delivered the solution without the Tabral mobility solution. The technology has helped position our company as a leader in the industry and enabled us to successfully diversify into new business areas.”

Building business and driving growth

Scientific Pest Management (SPM) is a family-owned business providing pest control solutions to domestic and commercial clients for over 40 years. SPM is a mid-sized player in the pest solutions industry. SPM are focused on providing the best value pest solutions for large and small businesses across Australia.

Tabral mobilises business growth for Scientific Pest Management

The company mainly focuses on providing solutions to the commercial and government market. This is done by providing personalised service solutions with guaranteed value for money. SPM differentiates itself in a highly competitive market by providing personalised service and attention to detail. SPM offers solutions with guaranteed value for money for their clients.

In recent years, SPM has started to focus on providing solutions to the resources sector in Western Australia and Queensland where it is witnessing good growth. The company is also looking to build its capabilities in providing solutions for the food manufacturing and processing sector to leverage its mobile apps forms technology such as its field data collection app.

Automating data capture with Field Data Collection App

SPM has many technicians who need to inspect control devices in trap units to aerosol dispensers and rodent check each device for pest activity, station condition and a range of other variables and record this data. Historically this was all done on paper and then delivered back to an create client reports.

“Pest technicians are data gatherers, and some are not the most sophisticated in terms of their IT knowledge. We were looking to leverage the right mobile apps forms technology that was simple to use and could automate this process of data capture and reporting. We wanted to achieve two objectives. Firstly, reduce time and cost so that the information reporting system. And secondly, gather sophisticated and valuable information in a timely way that enabled us to break into new markets by offering value-added services,” said Chris Jones, Managing Director, Scientific Pest Management.

In early 2012, SPM was invited to respond to a tender to provide pest solutions to Brisbane Markets Limited (BML), Queensland’s only Central Market for fresh fruit and vegetables. The 77ha site was known to be extremely challenging with over 1,400 rodent stations to check each month. These stations were barcoded. In order to win this contract, SPM had to invest further in a technology that not only read those barcodes but also captured the required data and reported on pest activity.

Developing the right mobility solution

SPM turned to a Samsung partner, Brisbane based Entwined Solutions, and briefed it to develop a mobility solution. The solution would enable SPM to automate data capture, enhance productivity of its field staff and deliver real-time, web-based reporting that could be accessed online. Entwined Solutions is a Distributor of Tabral - an electronic forms platform that allowed data to be collected in the field on mobile devices and be routed via email and integrated into back end systems. This was the perfect solution for SPM technically, but the issue of the handheld device still needed to be addressed. The mobile device needed to be robust with long battery life and flexible enough to be more than just a data collection device. The mobile device also need to be able to leverage other reliable functionalities such as phone, email, and mapping.

Samsung Galaxy Note II perfectly complemented the Tabral software solution

Entwined Solutions chose the Samsunung Galaxy Note II as the mobile device that perfectly complemented the Tabral software solution. The large screen size, ability to take high resolution photos and use the S Pen to annotate on images and take notes, provided the best solution for SPM. As BML rodent stations were barcoded, SPM needed the mobile device to also be used to read barcodes. Entwined Solutions worked with Samsung to identify a peripherals manufacturer. KOMTAC who produced a barcode reader clip attachment for the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Entwined Solutions integrated the API into their software platform to produce a streamlined solution for SPM.

“We considered other devices, but they just didn’t provide the screen size and flexibility that the Samsung device offered. We see us transitioning to Samsung across our whole business in the future,” said Mr Jones.

“This technology solution helped SPM win the Brisbane Markets Contract.”

SPM field staff members are now equipped with Samsung Galaxy Note II devices with barcode readers and they scan 1,400 rodent stations at the BML site. The data captured onsite flows live into an online website. It then delivers automated reports and graphs that enable BML to track and monitor pest activity in real-time. This allows BML tenants to maintain their Hazards Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification. The SPM solution provides updated pest control data to their auditors.

Delivering impactful business outcomes

The Tabral mobility solution streamlined SPM’s business processes and saved substantial administrative time and costs. It also allowed the firm to compete and beat the larger multinational competitors because its technology solution is advanced. The technology also enabled SPM to identify and generate cost recovery opportunities for BML. Some rodent stations were being destroyed by tenants when they used heavy machinery to move their produce; In the past BML had no way of identifying those tenants who were responsible for the damage caused.

In late 2012, BML put out another tender to read its 400+ tenant power metres monthly. Since SPM was already on site and had the technology, Entwined Solutions upgraded the software solution to cover meter reading. This involved capturing photos on the Samsung Galaxy Note II for any reading disputes. By using the smartphone’s GPS location and time stamp in the reporting thread we can guarantee the time and place for the reading. This led to SPM winning an additional business to business at Brisbane Markets.

“We believe we probably wouldn’t have won the tender with Brisbane Markets and successfully delivered the solution without the Tabral mobility solution. It has helped position our company as a leader in the industry and enabled us to successfully diversify into new business areas,” said Mr Jones.

Leveraging Field Data Collection App for future growth

Workplace Health and Safety is a major concern in the resource sector. SPM plans to leverage its mobile apps forms technology to address this issue. The aim is to provide valuable information about people movements and activity. SPM is also considering expanding its business, providing additional services to its clients.

Samsung technology has enabled SPM to provide services in the food processing industry. An industry not previously available to SPM as it involves a high volume of data. This data needs to be accurate and timely, as it has an impact on food safety. SPM has already started securing food-based clients by leveraging Samsung Galaxy Note II and Tabral mobile technology.

“We are currently bringing a revolutionary new pest control technology to Australia for the first time. The Samsung device and Tabral mobility solution provides us with a perfect platform to introduce this to the market and further grow our business;” said Mr Jones. Source: Samsung.com.au/business

Tabral formerly known as AMS.