Handsfree Group installs the Xplore F5M rugged tablet to aid in Smart Meter Rollout
Identifying a Reliable Vehicle-Mounted Mobility Solution to Support Smart Meter Rollout
The UK Government implemented a Smart Meter roll-out program in 2011 with the aim for most households to have smart meters installed by their energy company by 2020. For utility companies to be able to deliver this to their customers efficiently, a need was identified for a vehicle mounted tablet to assist in the roll-out logistics.
Specifically, the chosen tablet would need to prove that the Smart Meter installation had been completed and identified. Therefore, the ideal device would be able to take an image of the meter on site, enabling the field technician to submit a real-time digital installation report back to their depot on leaving the customer’s property.
The tablet also needed to be heavy duty, water resistant and able to withstand knocks, bumps, drops, dust and dirt.
Xplore F5 Rugged Tablet Provides Right Level of Secure Mobility, Information Access in the Field
The utility company chose to install the XPlore F5M rugged tablet solution throughout their entire fleet because of its proven durability and extreme workflow flexibility. The Xplore F5m enabled the utility company to manage field technician routing, customer details, installation details and other key field applications using a single computing system.
The Xplore F5m was put through a user committee to drive fast field technician acceptance, and all evaluators, ranging from age 20 to 50, loved it.
Built for demanding environments that require robust enterprise software compatibility, the Xplore F5m rugged tablet platform offers the durability and functionality needed to seamlessly go from the office, to the vehicle, to the field-all while staying connected and secure. It has a fixed handle, is nicely balanced and is easy to hold whilst working on foot. It also has a high-resolution View Anywhere® Display stacked with Corning® Gorilla® Glass, making it ideally suited for demanding outdoor environments where field technicians need to easily read detailed data.
Vehicle Installation
Xplore selected and appointed Handsfree Group to manage the installations due to their planning expertise, install experience and industry credentials, such as FITAS 1362 and Alcumus’ SafeContractor.
The countrywide installations have been a great success and has already seen increased productivity, improved efficiency and increased customer satisfaction.
Quote
“Handsfree Group is well versed in the proper installation of rugged tablet solutions into large fleets spanning the country,” noted Sandy McCaskie, EMEA director of sales, Xplore. “To take a working vehicle off the road for a whole day for any reason costs businesses money.”
“So, when a company such as our client, one of the UK’s leading Utility Companies, needs to take a number of vehicles within their large fleet off the road for mobile solution installs, and across multiple operating locations, they need a partner with the specialised skills to complete the task within the shortest possible time.”
“Handsfree Group has proven to be more than capable of meeting their strict turnaround times to minimize each vehicle’s downtime.”
