Kier Building Maintenance Is First To Roll Out Pioneering EDA Technology In The UK

Online, November 24, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Cutting edge technology designed to improve the customer experience has been introduced by one of the UK's leading social housing repair and maintenance companies. Kier Building Maintenance is the first business in the UK to take delivery of the latest corporate enterprise digital assistant (EDA) on the market.

Part of the Kier Group, Kier Building Maintenance will be the first company in the UK to roll out Motorola Solutions' sought after ES400 EDA, which is designed to provide operatives with real-time updates from site, across its field-based workforce. Using the existing Pervasic MobileOne software platform, the ES400 is specifically used to link operatives with core business applications and increase efficiency of the overall field service; it has already been demonstrated that this system can increase each operative's capacity by up to two jobs per week - that's eight jobs per month or 104 per year, per operative.

Designed to act as an 'office-in-a-pocket', the device enables users to not only keep abreast of vital job information, but also manage back-end applications including data entry, work order management, signature collection for proof of delivery/proof of services and capture vital gas and electric certification regulatory requirements, which are validated as soon as entered.

The device also ensures job updates are communicated back to administrative teams in real time through completed forms and picture reports, ensuring details are logged and any additional work ordered instantly, and without the need for additional paper work.

Kier IT projects and process manager, Chris Hone, said: "We first introduced personal digital assistant (PDA) devices into our workforce in 2006 to improve the flow of job-related information between maintenance operatives on the road and office-based personnel. We instantly saw a positive impact across the board with customer waiting time reduced and satisfaction increased. However, it became clear over time that we needed to reassess the PDAs as their technical ability was no longer cutting edge and device failure rate was increasing with handsets becoming difficult to replace.
"Through partnering with IBM we were able to identify the ideal solution for our needs. The ES400 was considered the most suitable for our particular business needs and will become the standard for Kier field operatives. It is a positive step forward in enabling our on-the-road employees to interact more effectively with back office IT systems, not just by phone and text message."

IBM Global Technology Services information technology service manager, Joy Digan, said: "Kier Building Maintenance identified a need to upgrade its current field-based hardware devices which had become dated and were beginning to fail. We worked closely with the company throughout the procurement process and were able to identify a number of handsets which would suit the company's needs and work with the existing Pervasic MobileOne software.

"Kier Building Maintenance ran a series of operative testing sessions across its key UK contracts to evaluate each option with the ES400 being its preferred model. Due to IBM's strong working relationship with both our customer and Motorola Solutions, we were able to deliver the product for the pilot prior to the product being officially launched in the UK and supply the first phase of devices for roll out within two weeks of ordering."

EMEA Channels at Motorola Solutions corporate vice president, Marco Landi, commented: "The ES400 is a rugged device aimed at commercial users which will allow Kier Building Maintenance field operatives to provide a higher level of service to clients and customers through the availability of real-time data, progress updates and product ordering.

"Through our partnership with IBM we have been able to offer our market-leading support arrangement with next-day swap of any damaged units and a guaranteed device life of at least six years."

Kier Sheffield senior commercial service technician, John Blackwell, was involved in the selection process of the device upgrade, commenting: "The EDAs and the data they return are very important to me and my team as any down time or malfunctioning of the devices adversely affects the service we deliver to the client. We are very pleased to have received these new EDAs - the roll out has been very smooth with the devices proving vey popular. I think we all feel this reflects Kier Building Maintenance's commitment to investment and service improvement."

The first phase of replacement of old PDAs will complete by December 2010, following which Kier Building Maintenance will look to migrate all other users to the Motorola Solutions ES400s during 2011. All other users across Kier Support Services will transfer to the new EDAs during 2011.

- Ends -

For further Kier Building Maintenance information please contact Emma Campbell or Louise Vaughan at Acceleris Marketing Communications - 0845 4567 251, [email protected] or [email protected]

For further Motorola information please contact Simon Craddock, Communications Director EMEA, Motorola Solutions - 01256 484201, 07738 928092, [email protected]

For further IBM information please contact Hollie Carr, IBM UK External Relations - 07912426967, [email protected]

• Notes to editors
About Kier Building Maintenance
Kier Building Maintenance is the leading repair and maintenance company working in the vital area of social housing in the UK.
Praised by the Audit Commission and the first building maintenance contractor to achieve the prestigious Charter Mark, Kier Building Maintenance develops relationships with local authorities, ALMOs and RSLs based on shared values, common objectives, mutual trust and openness.
It has played a key role in delivering the Government's £multi-billion 'Decent Homes' programme, improving the lives and prospects of hundreds of thousands of families and helping build better, more socially cohesive and sustainable communities.
KBM provides:
• Responsive and planned repairs and maintenance for social housing and public buildings
• Out of hours and emergency repairs and maintenance
• Refurbishment programmes
• PVCu windows and kitchens manufacturing
• Capital works schemes

About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to mobile and wireline digital communication devices that provide compelling experiences, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $22 billion in 2009. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.

About IBM
BM is a globally integrated enterprise operating in over 170 countries, bringing innovative solutions to a diverse client base to help solve some of their toughest business challenges. In addition to being the world's largest IT and consulting services company, IBM is a global business and technology leader, innovating in research and development to help build a smarter planet.
http://www.ibm.com/ibm/uk/en/