Mobile software, scanners help utilities services firm SL-Serco to cut paper forms

- Edited by Gary Thayer

September 12, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- SYWARE has announced that utilities services firm SL-Serco tapped its mobile database software to mobilize its paper-based or PC processes and logging of water meter installations.

SYWARE's Visual CE 9 is software for creating databases on Pocket PC PDAs or smartphones. The software requires no programming, and includes support for wireless synchronization and remote printing.

SL-Serco has provided services including meter installation and reading, customer support and safety services for utilities for over 35 years, and the company now reads 50,000 water meters every month. The firm also installs water meters for cities. One project called for the firm to install 16,000 water meters in just one city. Other projects require SL-Serco to install up to 450 meters a week.

After the meter is installed, workers in the field have to process large numbers of barcodes. Paper-based and manual processes were the norm. There is a virtual "sea" of numbers and barcodes that must be managed during the water meter installation process. Each meter has a unique set of barcodes that has to be processed. Prior to SYWARE's solution, the sheer volume of barcodes that must be identified and processed was enormous and could contribute to human error.

To mobilize and automate its meter reading, SL-Serco chose to use SYWARE's Visual CE 9 software in conjunction with an RFID scanning device to scan barcodes and help eliminate human error.

Visual CE 9's dropdown e-forms have helped to virtually eliminate SL-Serco field representatives from having to navigate through paper-based forms to service customer sites, according to SYWARE. The company's customer-specific data can be downloaded, collected, displayed, modified and automatically synchronized.

For more information on SYWARE's Visual CE 9, see SYWARE.com or the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

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