Grayson Homes uses BlackBerries for field inspections

Ellicott City, MD, Jan. 12, 2004 -- (MobileVillage) -- For developer Grayson Homes, the implementation of a wireless management system with BlackBerry handhelds has proven to be an important element in the company's quality assurance program.

The system operates on the BlackBerry wireless platform from Research In Motion (RIM) and uses BlackBerry Enterprise Server to deploy a wireless reporting system that offers wireless tracking and project management capabilities. Construction Quality Manager is an out-of-the-box product created by ATSG for BlackBerry.

This interactive wireless system imrpoves Grayson field supervisors' ability to track, manage and resolve construction defects in the field from their BlackBerry handhelds, and also provides a database and management reporting system that provides the company with a comprehensive view of its business.

The application uses technology by Flowfinity for extending Grayson's existing applications to BlackBerry wireless devices. The Flowfinity Solutions Platform provides the handheld input screens, queries and deliver updates to server information.

Using the Mobile Data Service feature of BlackBerry Enterprise Server, construction information is wirelessly pushed to the handheld any time the central database is changed. As the construction supervisor enters data on the BlackBerry handheld, updates are sent wirelessly to the central server where the database is updated.

When supervisors are in a remote area out of wireless coverage, they can use Construction Quality Manager to capture and update project status. All updates are automatically sent to the server as soon as the user returns to an area with wireless coverage.

Prior to implementing BlackBerry, Grayson Homes had a paper-based quality control system that relied on cell phones and faxes for communications, as well as a simple database that needed clerical support to input reports. By contrast, Grayson says that the wireless system has reduced paperwork, phone calls and the manual input of reports, increased field supervisory efficiency, and improved trade contractor effectiveness.

Grayson Homes is recipient of the 2005 National Housing Quality (NHQ) Gold Award.

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