ATSG News
ATSG helps customer win a quality award by developing CQM
Wireless VAR/software developer ATSG (Advanced Technologies Support Group), Inc. helped a customer win a quality award by developing CQM (Construction Quality Manager), a mobile application geared toward the construction industry.
Since 2001, VAR and software developer ATSG has served as an outsourced IT provider for Maryland-based home builder Grayson Homes. Grayson Homes works with 250 trade contractors that perform jobs such as excavation, dry wall, electric, and roofing work. The company has 16 field supervisors who oversee the work performed by the trade contractors and report items not completed to its standards.
"Grayson Homes implemented a number of quality control improvements within the past couple of years, but it still wasn't able to adequately track its inspection data," says John Heinz, president of ATSG. Field supervisors noted on paper any defects caught during their inspections. Next, they would call, fax, or two-way radio trade contractors to resolve the problems. Upon returning to their offices, field supervisors entered their inspection notes in Excel spreadsheets to help them keep track of open issues. "The database was often behind in accuracy and provided only a limited perspective on the overall business," recalls Heinz.
Wireless Enables Real-Time Tracking, Reporting
In late 2003, ATSG approached Grayson Homes about building and hosting a custom application on RIM's BlackBerry handheld that would capture defects on-site and transmit orders to trade contractors. The proposal also included plans for a database, which could be used to track defects and generate reports.
Grayson Homes expressed concerns about whether its field supervisors had enough computer experience to use the handhelds. The home builder also had reservations about how trade contractors would feel about receiving orders only via e-mail or fax. To alleviate its client's fears, ATSG set up a pilot test and allowed two field supervisors to use the BlackBerry devices for one month. "We had our senior developer shadow the field supervisors during their daily job routines, and we used their feedback to tailor the solution to their needs," says Heinz. ATSG built various drop-down menus into the solution, which make it easier for field supervisors to click through their punch lists, rather than typing text.
ATSG deployed the solution to the 16 field supervisors over a four-week period. During the rollout, the VAR first taught the field supervisors how to use the e-mail function, followed by the CQM (Construction Quality Manager) application a couple of weeks later. After the field supervisors were trained, the trade contractors were notified that they would receive future construction defect notices by e-mail or fax only. "The immediate reaction from the trade contractors was positive," says Heinz. "They liked the consistency and timeliness of the information."
Field supervisors are now able to quickly capture defect information on the handheld. Once finished, they hit "send" and the information is automatically formatted and wirelessly transmitted to the specified trade contractor via e-mail or fax. "The solution saves the field supervisors about an hour a day, because they no longer have to wait on hold or type their handwritten notes into Excel spreadsheets," says Heinz. Additionally, the solution features reports, which enable Grayson Homes to identify and correct costly or repetitive problems.
Besides the immediate benefits Grayson Homes realized from the CQM solution, the home builder informed ATSG that the solution played a key role in helping it win the 2005 National Housing Quality Gold Award. ATSG developed the CQM solution with other home builders in mind and is now offering CQM as a standard solution. "We already have other projects in the works with other builders, and we're working on adding new wireless functionality such as schedule updates and purchase order authorization," says Heinz. "These enhancements will be sold as additional modules to our CQM application."
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Media Contact:
John Heinz
ATSG Wireless Solutions Marketing
410-654-9595
john.heinz@atsgi.com
www.atsgi.com