DRS Facilities Management offers a tailor-made service across England and Wales, covering electrical, mechanical, air conditioning, fire security and fabric maintenance.
The challenge
Field-force automation had been in place for years, but the business needed more. MD Dave Kieft wanted a cleaner connection between operations and accounts, a better diary, and more ability to share information with clients.
They also wanted a complete solution — one supplier taking total responsibility, with no room to blame third-party components.
The solution
Directors looked at the market and brought the best in to demo. “Pro Pal solved all the issues we were having and the nearest competitor wanted quite a large capital outlay.”
Field Force investing in the hardware as part of the deal showed a commitment to interoperability. Pro Pal was the only option that combined — and took responsibility for — software, mobile devices and servers.
The result
In an emergency they can see where every engineer is and send the nearest. Previously they would ring round based on a guess.
Quarter-hourly billing is backed by arrival, activity and travelling times captured on the handheld and signed off — so there is less to query. Job costings are live. “We can invoice out the door; we haven’t got to wait for timesheets.”
“We can look at different parts of the business and see how each part is doing, job by job, division by division. It’s clear and simple; that’s what everybody likes.”
