Are you best-in-class?

For more than two decades, Aberdeen Group has been connecting enterprises and solution providers through the power of fact-based research, demonstrating the value of technology in achieving Best-in-Class results for the enterprise.

They have just released a new report entitled “Field Service 2012: The Right Technician” – full of fascinating insights from 220 survey respondents. If you want to know how you shape up against your competitors and peers from around the world, then click here to get your complimentary copy of this report – one not to be missed!

Read more about 360 Scheduling and cloud computing here

IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announces that it has signed a frame agreement with Ericsson. Within this agreement, a contract for delivery of IFS Applications licenses, maintenance, and services for one of Ericsson’s field-service operations in Sweden has been signed. The contract has a value of SKr 8.6 million.

The service industry is one of IFS’s targeted vertical market segments. The company offers a complete and integrated business solution that manages the entire lifecycle of customers, contracts, machines, and equipment. With IFS Applications™, companies can support and improve business processes by collaborating more closely with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors.

IFS Applications includes functionality for resource scheduling and optimization, call and case management including SLA, project management, mobile solutions for field workforce, installed-base management, sparepart management, depot repair, and document management, all integrated with financials, procurement, manufacturing, and HR.

Existing IFS customers in the service industry include Hertel, Debut Services, Niscayah, Sky, MITIE, SchultessMaschinen AG, John Deere, Dalkia, Anticimex, Eltel Networks, Infratek, Gilbarco Autotank, and Tomra.

The Mansfield Group, one of the UK’s largest dedicated vehicle recovery and breakdown operators, has selected IFS 360 Scheduling’s Dynamic Scheduling Engine (DSE) to support them in meeting their demanding 20 and 30 minute response time, emergency breakdown calls.

With over 100 breakdown technicians on the road and many time-sensitive contracts to respond to, including the Police and the Highways Agency, The Mansfield Group have a particular need for an ‘always optimising’, truly dynamic, scheduling system.

Darrell Mansfield, Chairman of The Mansfield Group said “We have been looking at scheduling systems over recent months and IFS 360 Scheduling’s DSE kept coming up as the leader in the field. From our initial meeting on November 2nd, it was very clear that their background in emergency services meant that they immediately understood our business demands and response time needs, plus their can-do attitude was very refreshing”. He continued, “Having recently won the ‘Green Flag’ contract, we knew we had to support our business growth and make a major investment in technology. We are confident that the 360 DSE will give us a return on our investment within a matter of months, just as the winter approaches and, hence, our busiest time of the year.”

Laurent Othacéhé, CEO, IFS 360 Scheduling added “We are very pleased to be working with The Mansfield Group. Their need is characteristic of modern businesses that require a truly dynamic scheduling system, which is exactly what IFS 360 Scheduling’s DSE is. The exciting thing about this latest project is that it began with a phone call only a few weeks ago. The project started the following week and we have now begun phase 1 which will be in place by the end of the year with phase 2 kicking off in January 2012 – probably the quickest project we’ve ever been involved with!”

Left to right: Laurent Othacéhé (CEO, IFS 360 Scheduling), Darrell Mansfield (Chairman, The Mansfield Group) and David Bochenski (VP Business Development, IFS 360 Scheduling)

About THE MANSFIELD GROUP

Specialising in vehicle recovery, rescue, storage and repair, The Mansfield Group originates from 1978 where it commenced operations in the village of Biggin, Derbyshire, providing all manner of garage services for Car, Commercial and Plant. In 1988 the company relocated to a purpose-built facility in Buxton, Derbyshire with support centres in Ashbourne and Macclesfield. Over the last 10 years, The Mansfield Group have specialised in vehicle recovery, rescue, storage and repair providing services to all the major Motoring Organisations, Police, Council and Government Agencies. Now operating from 11 service centres, covering the North and Midlands, employing nearly 300 staff and operating over 220 specialist vehicles.

For GSH Group, IFS 360 Scheduling’s long-term focus on new technology and specialisation in field-based service were crucial factors when selecting the new solution.

“IFS has a proven track record and consultants who have world-class industry competence. Their unique ‘always optimising’ approach to scheduling precisely complements our continuous improvement approach to serving and delighting our customers,” said Chris Riley, Operations Director at GSH.

See the full press release here.

Maxwell Segal, the Innovations Director at GSH, has written a fascinating article about how companies innovate on the recently relaunched Service Management website. You can find it from here (you will have to register in order to view the piece itself).

Brian’s experiences of actually implementing these technologies and David’s extensive knowledge prompted some fascinating audience questions!

If you missed the live broadcast, the recording is available now. If you have already registered for the overall event, then you can find it in  the ‘On Demand’ section of the Auditorium. Otherwise, you can still register here and get access to the recordings of the series so far, plus an invitation to the next live webinar on November 21st.

When we attend a show like the Service Management Expo 2011 at the NEC last month, our aim is partly to renew old friendships with customers and colleagues and partly to start interesting conversations with new companies and people. Well, this year’s event certainly delivered on that front and we are busily following up as quickly as we can.

Whilst I have your attention, a quick reminder that our webinar series, in conjunction with Service Management continues this month, with the next live event on Monday 24th October , starting at 15:00 UK time. You can find more information and register here. By registering, you will also view the recording of the first live event and find lots of other resources to download. I look forward to ‘meeting’ you there.

We’ll be there, of course, and are planning some ‘innovations’ for our stand this year; be sure to visit us to see what I mean. At the same time, enter our prize draw for a chance to win a fabulous prize – all of your friends will want one, for sure!

And, if you must, chat to us about scheduling and software tools.

We are constantly busy enhancing our products to deliver even better schedules, to ensure you have the most productive workforce and the most reliable service delivery in the business.

Find out more about SME 2011 at www.servicemanagement.co.uk or follow them on Twitter (@ServiceMan365) to get all the latest news.

We look forward to seeing you there.