Benefits of Spatially-Enabled Mobile Workforce Management to the Transportation Enterprise GIS Transportation Symposium 2008 Houston, TX
Introduction What is Mobile Workforce Management (MWM)? Components of MWM System Architecture Business Drivers Benefits Conclusion Page 2
What is Mobile Workforce Management? The management of field resources (people) and associated work (jobs) by monitoring, updating, and dispatching jobs using a systems approach. Goal is to maximize the exchange of information between the field, office and enterprise systems, while improving efficiencies. Page 3
What is Mobile Workforce Management? 7 Components of a MWM System: Integrated Mapping Automated Vehicle Tracking using GPS Wireless Communication Mobile Computing Automatic Work Dispatching Real-time Integration with pavement, sign inventory, maintenance management systems, etc. Real-time Reporting Page 4
Sample Architecture Dispatch Reporting Mobile Web Access I/CAD - MRM Packet network Data and Network Model Interfaces Enterprise Business Systems Message Layer Adapter Pavement Management Adapter Bridge Management Adapter Construction Management Adapter Sign/Signal Inventory Adapter Maintenance Management Page 5
Components of a MWM System Integrated Mapping: Locational Awareness Intelligent Work Assignment Manage Road Closures Consolidated view of resources, equipment and skills Enterprise wide map view Command center view Field view Web view Page 6
Components of a MWM System Automated Vehicle Tracking using GPS: Real-time locations Used for work order assignment Safety Historical purposes (legal) Page 7
Components of a MWM System Wireless Communication: Enables real-time messaging, order delivery & completion, back-office queries, network status, etc. Most systems support Radio, Cellular, WiFi, Satellite, and more. Network data traffic is typically small with MWM. Page 8
Components of a MWM System Mobile Computing: Integrated with Dispatching and Command and Control Reduces voice communication and problems associated with it Support data collection one time Often have GPS integrated Can behave as electronic map book Typically designed for ease of use Page 9
Components of a MWM System Automatic Work Dispatching (Optional): Eliminates the need for schedulers Most are configurable to minimize drive-time, assign highest priority work first, etc. Resource balancing Scheduling Algorithm Page 10
Components of a MWM System Real-time Integration with Bridge, Construction, Pavement systems, etc.: Updates to work assignment can be handled in real-time Work cancellations or rescheduling initiated in one system propagates automatically in all others. Integration via middleware such as Business Objects, BizTalk, Tibco. Enables Enterprise Application Integration Financial Bridge Middleware MWM Sign Page 11
Components of a MWM System Real-time Reporting Provide timely access to data Out-of-the-box reports Custom reports using Crystal Reports, SAS, LogiXML, more Dashboards, Maps, and Indices Page 12
Key Business Drivers for MWM There are several Business Drivers: Centralized command and control for operations management: Short-cycle work Emergency or unscheduled work Effective management of field resources: Job tracking Resource re-assignment Equipment verification Safe and effective disaster mitigation Page 13
Key Business Drivers for MWM Need for integration with other business systems: Maintenance Pavement Bridge Financial Construction Operational cost reduction by: Eliminate un-necessary paper Reduce fuel consumption Consolidate service centers Effective utilization of resources Increasing amount of field data collected Page 14
What functions can use MRM? Short Cycle Work Sign inventory/replacement Guard rail inventory/replacement Service Orders Striping Mowing Spraying Surveying Bridge Inspection Page 15
What functions can use MRM? Emergency or Unscheduled Work Track/Dispatch Resources in a Natural Disaster Crashes Repairs HazMat remediation Page 16
Benefits of MRM Coordinated command and control: Addresses disconnect of multiple departments responding effectively to a common event (multi-vehicle crash, chemical spill, etc.) Provides one common operating picture of enterprisewide field resources Allows simplistic re-direction of resources in an emergency event Page 17
Benefits of MRM Automated management of field resources: Tracking of vehicles, people & equipment assigned to each crew Geographic resource monitoring displaying service teams At their last known location without GPS Real time location with GPS Optimized routing & Auto-monitoring Page 18
Benefits of MRM Integration with key business systems: Maintenance Pavement Bridge Financial Removes islands of automation for data exchange Shortens response times between dependent systems in decision making Adapter Pavement Management I/CAD - MRM Packet network Interfaces Enterprise Business Systems Adapter Sign/Signal Inventory Adapter Bridge Management Adapter Maintenance Management Adapter Construction Management Message Layer Page 19
Benefits of MRM Field data collection and operations: Collection of inventory Service order completion Interactive job assignment Mobile transmission to back office systems Reduced paper work and timely closing out of jobs Page 20
Summary A holistic approach to managing work throughout the enterprise Provides more effective response to managing incidents that occur on the system Facilitates tighter communication between interdependent business systems Seamless method of collecting inventory and uploading appropriate systems A methodology to lower operational costs and decrease inefficiencies Page 21