No apps needed for mobile working

All sorts of different companies are now considering mobile applications, or apps – a mobile extension of their ERP system on a tablet. And they work! But are they really designed for a mobile worker’s needs? There’s often a lack of workflow support, and no integration with the organisation’s other systems, which mobile workers need.

Our client Vinçotte has combined various projects to make sure mobile really works. Vinçotte equipped 1500 inspectors with ruggedized laptops and introduced a genuinely mobile application called ‘eDesk’. Now they can plan and route appointments, and fill in timesheets, etc. on the move. Their electronic access to control documents means they no longer have to carry papers around with them, as all info can be exchanged directly with the back-end system, synchronously and asynchronously. No apps needed at Vinçotte.

“The management has a much better overview of orders and all other types of tasks now. The best thing is that the quality of our processes has improved dramatically. We never make mistakes because of incorrect data entry or illegible handwriting anymore, our administration is more accurate, and we have much shorter turnaround times, so our invoicing is faster too,” says Bernard Van der Wielen, Regional Manager for Vinçotte Wallonia.

Trasys’ HiPer solution

eDesk is based on our ‘HiPer’ (High Performance) solution, which connects laptops, tablets and smartphones to any back-end system, such as SAP, Microsoft or old legacy applications. The solution includes a front-end for task management, access to documents, workflow management and geo-localisation. And the mobile application is linked to a database server and ESB for connection with other systems too.

Installing an app just for the sake of mobile working: it didn’t pass the certification procedure at Vinçotte. But now they do have a genuinely mobile office, which certainly isn’t self-evident in industrial environments.