CASE STUDY / ROYAL MAIL PROPERTY AND FACILITIES - FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

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 Teams can rely on the swift optimisation of efficient schedules within seconds, recognising that outdated practices like nightly batch runs and manual rescheduling were no longer viable options.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.