CASE STUDY / ROYAL MAIL PROPERTY AND FACILITIES - FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
FLS - FAST LEAN SMART DELIVERS SMARTER SCHEDULING FOR ROYAL MAIL PROPERTY & FACILITIES
- Increased productivity
- Automation and simplification of route planning processes
- Improved first-time fix rates
- Scheduling of 500 facilities management operatives
- Complex rules for planned and reactive works
- Integration with Infor asset management system
- Custom planning portal for field operatives
THE SELECTION OF FLS VISITOUR:
MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDER FIELD SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS
"We looked at several scheduling and route planning systems providers, FLS being one of them," says Scott Maddocks, Project Manager for RMPFS. "After the initial demonstration, we carried out a number of FLS customer site visits to see the software in action. We engaged our management teams, our field operatives and our union representatives because we wanted them all to be happy that the software would work."
In the end, FLS came out on top. "We chose FLS for a number of reasons," says Scott. "The user front end was better than the other products we looked at, and FLS gave us confidence that their software could be integrated with our existing service management system. We also thought that FLS would be good to work with, more agile and better able to deliver what we wanted than the other suppliers."
The solution for route planning and dynamic optimisation in field service
The difference: You can re-optimise tours at any time during the day at the push of a button if something changes. This means that even the most dynamic field service operation is no longer a problem. - Discover your potential now:
THE ANSWER TO STAKEHOLDER REQUIREMENTS:
DESIGNING A UNIQUE SITE OWNERSHIP MODEL
One of RMPFS' main goals was to plan jobs more efficiently. FLS VISITOUR plans optimised field schedules in real time. A major factor is the consideration of the entire field workforces' activities when new orders are raised. FLS uses RMPFS' specific business priorities, actual traffic-based driving times, and countless other variables for both planned and reactive work. This move to in-day dynamic field service planning accounts for numerous facilities management factors such as skills (for instance, operatives certified to work at heights), proximity to exisiting job sites, and job priority/SLAs when designing schedules. Its primary objective is to minimise downtime (such as driving and waits for parts, or a second operative for linked jobs) and to maximise productivity.
The transition to real-time management adds significant value by enabling immediate responses to spontaneous and unforeseeable situations. Teams can rely on the swift optimisation of efficient schedules within seconds, recognising that outdated practices like nightly batch runs and manual rescheduling were no longer viable options.
RMPFS also required a reduction in the number of return visits its field operatives must perform throughout their shifts. FLS designed a portal where they can see four weeks of planned work in advance, and allocate the necessary resources to each job. Field operatives can then request job assists and equipment hire in advance of the works, using their new portal.
Another key requirement for RMPFS was the establishment of a site ownership model, i.e. the allocation of tasks to preferred operatives, according to a set of criteria to ensure that the right skills are in the right place at the right time.
"We wanted software that could navigate several tiers of engineer choices, to allow them to build their site knowledge and relationships and reduce their travel time.
FLS proved that its system was up to the challenge and could enable our engineers to work at preferred sites in preferred regions based on an
extensive and complex series of rules."
Scott Maddocks · Project Manager RMPFSWHERE IS YOUR OPTIMISATION POTENTIAL?
DISCOVER IT WITH FLS – FAST LEAN SMART
Choose the best way for you to get to know us:
DEMO
DISCOVER THE FULL POTENTIAL OF DYNAMIC SOFTWARE FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Experience the unsurpassed performance of our PowerOpt algorithm live. We will show you how to optimise your field force and services, and realise cost savings of up to 50% in a short time.