Today, the generous IT market offers diverse equipment and data management platforms, which, thanks to the versatility and efficiency of their functions, contribute significantly to optimizing the daily performance of assets, infrastructure and human teams.
Operational efficiency is, without a doubt, one of the structural bases of all productive or service activities. Moreover, a precise control of field operations can represents the difference between achieving objectives or losing competitiveness.
Faced with this urgent need for organizations to be more efficient and productive, the technology market today offers a wide range of solutions and applications specifically designed to optimize equipment and data management. These tools translates directly into better performance of operations in the field and, consequently, in better overall results, facing the demands of both the market and society as a whole.
SAMSARA: ARCHITECTURE FOR SMART APPS
If the objective is the development of a large number of applications in order to achieve a better control of onsite work in different environments (such as in a mining company, a shipping company or a dairy factory, for example), Samsara software provides an excellent price-product ratio. This powerful framework allows companies to develop their own management applications, using methodologies based on Model Driven architecture. This solution uses the UML graphic modeling language to describe the different scenarios and functionalities that the application will implement, as well as the external systems with which it could be integrated.
This allows to quickly create and modify a wide set of applications, based on high-level descriptions, which are adjusted to both the market requirements and the needs of the organization itself. These features provide better efficiency parameters for the execution and control of field tasks.
Samsara works with models that literally capture the business logic, so it only requires minimal renewal of components to change design, meet new standards, or modernize applications, according to the use each company or organization gives them.
Due to its characteristics, Samsara is the best option for companies with a large stock of applications and / or micro services, which must periodically migrate their architectures; and as well for organizations that want to introduce changes in the architecture of their systems, and need agile and easy-to-use tools.
DATASCOPE: EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTARY MANAGEMENT
If what you are looking for is to optimize the administration of services in the field, one of the best alternatives is DataScope. This specialized software includes features such as administration of contracts and client databases, electronic signature, routing, programming, monitoring of the history of services, administration of work orders, database of contacts, collection of payments in the field, inventory administration, and dispatch management, among other functionalities.
It also allows importing, in a simple way, surveys previously created on the Google Forms platform, automatically identifying the questions in the Google questionnaire and transcribing them using a form builder. Likewise, through the Add-on function, it links any Google Forms account with the DataScope user’s own account, in order to obtain more advanced functionalities.
It is inexpensive, easy to use, and all the data is stored directly in the cloud. This positions it as an ideal alternative to carry out local or global surveys. It also allows integration with other systems, and it is available, in SaaS mode, for Android, iPhone and iPad platforms.
TOMTOM: TOTAL CONTROL ON THE WAY
Nevertheless, working in the field does not only involve managing human teams. There is also infrastructure and logistical resources that must be managed efficiently and safely. For this specific field, TomTom software technology emerges as a highly efficient option to manage vehicle fleets in real time.
This solution has a simple and friendly interface, with clear lines and without complications. Designed for a high operability, throughout minimizing clicks and speeding up workflows. This translates into better data management, as well as a greater guarantee of privacy and security.
Also allows to displays instantly street-level maps and traffic information, providing more detailed visibility and regarding the exact status and location of controlled vehicles.
Throughout Dashboard function, it is possible to consult the status of the fleet, allowing supervisors to verify, for example, the individual performance of each driver, as well as to evaluate equipment and have a simple overview of the entire fleet at hand.
The program also provides immediate access to the most relevant information, so the supervisor can detect (and even prevent) any eventual contingencies. This allows better informed strategic decisions as, among other actions, adjusting variables, choosing or changing routes according to traffic conditions, sending new instructions to the driver or warning him when he is consuming too much fuel, accelerating too much, or misusing the brakes of his vehicle, for example.
Being a flexible tool, it also has mobile versions, available for iOS and Android systems.
SLACK: THE TEAM ALWAYS IN INTERACTION
Proper field management also requires efficient coordination between the team and its leaders. In this particular segment, the Slack application stands out, designed to replace email and streamline communication between each of the collaborators. Its key is that it replicates the daily interaction between people, with the aim that the performance of the team would be the same as when they interacted in person.
The Slack workspace have different channels, which team members use to communicate and work together. These channels can be closed, to maintain private conversations (which are only accessed by some members of the organization); or shared, to collaborate among all or even with teams from other external organizations.
It has organized conversations, so the team members send messages and share files among themselves. Consultable history, to verify the flow of conversations, as well as the information shared in each workspace or channel. Connected applications function, to add to the workspace all the tools for apps that the user or company uses in their daily work activities. In addition, the Voice or video calls, allows the team members incorporated into the workspace to communicate directly each other.
Its design allows configuring different types of users or members, with their respective administrative permissions, within the workspace. These are as follows: Owners (create and configure permissions); Administrators (appointed by owners to help manage the team); Members (whose can send messages and files in any of the open channels); and Guests (whose can only send messages and files on specific channels).
It is free to use, but organizations that require functionalities that are more advanced can purchase payment options. These are as follows: Standard, for small and medium businesses; Plus, for medium-sized companies; and Grid, for strategic organizations in highly regulated sectors
THE VALUE OF DATA
In the field of Data Management, meanwhile, the market also offers various options that provide greater security and support for valuable or strategic information, freeing up resources and offering platforms that allow the fastest and most efficient administration. Both of physical resources and humans.
GOOGLE SHEETS: THE “BEGINNERS EXCEL”
One of these options is Google Sheets, a free tool for preparing online spreadsheets, which allows creating and managing shared databases between multiple users, in an agile and efficient way. The app automatically saves the new files in the cloud, allowing the edition to a multiple users at the same time. This guarantees the collaboration in real time of all team members.
In addition, every time a user opens and works on a file, the system creates automatic backups of the tasks performed. It is also easier to use than traditional Excel spreadsheets, and requires a smaller learning curve. Even a beginning and not skilled user can handle it, without great difficulties.
MICROSOFT POWER BI: STRENGTHENING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
From the other side of the trenches, Microsoft offer its Power Bi solution, a set of analysis tools oriented to the field of Business Intelligence, and integrated into the Office 365 suite. Through dynamic panels and reports, it organizes in a more agile way all the Data of a business. Among other features, it enables connection to hundreds of data sources, as well as simplified preparation and generation of relevant analyzes.
Its main value is the greater efficiency to extract relevant information in a wide range of scenarios. Added to this the user will find the ability to carry out in-depth analysis and search for patterns; and to optimize, clean, transform and combine data from multiple sources. This enables the option to create highly attractive reports with interactive and customizable data visualizations, using our own design format with personal layout tools. It also offers cross-platform capacity to work from mobile devices.
SALESFORCE: POWERFUL CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT
Another prominent tool is Salesforce, a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) program for cloud management, whose main function is to organize and classify all the information of each of the clients of a company or organization. To do this, it has a series of tools that connect directly to the institutional website, to store all the information collected in the cloud.
Its design allows working in a multiplatform environment, with multiple and simultaneous access the CRM database, in order to obtain a more fluid and efficient result. The user only needs an Internet connection and a web browser for a better work.
Salesforce works in an environment of different clouds and modules or functions, designed to organize customer portfolios and monitor consumer activity on each channel. In addition, this tool could improve productivity and resolve contingencies; carry out personalized multichannel campaigns; create dynamic communities around a brand; have real statistics to make better decisions and gather data obtained through the Internet of Things (IOT), and to forecast customer actions in real time, among other various features.
It is characterized by its simplicity and an intuitive interface that facilitates its operation. In addition, its Cloud architecture allows access from any place and device, and can be run from multiple platforms such as Windows, Linux and Apple.
It has two types of licenses available: Marketing, aimed at companies that want to get more out of their marketing actions; and Enterprise, for companies in full expansion and market growth.
DROPBOX: FLEXIBLE STORAGE
Another highly popular and experienced solution in the market is DropBox, a multiplatform cloud hosting service that allows users to store and synchronize files online, as well as share them with other users on computers, tablets and mobiles. The mobile version is available for Android, Windows Phone and iOS.
It currently has more than 500 million registered users worldwide. Its advantages includes: 24-hour availability with full and unlimited access to all stored files; synchronization of the folders in the account with those existing in the user’s computer or mobile device; and possibility of sharing specific files or folders through links.
These features set Dropbox as an excellent alternative for managing work documents in a business environment. For example, a simple folder with common access for the whole team can eliminate the enormous amount of emails with attached files containing different versions of a same document.
Its free version offers up to 2 GB of initial space. Companies that require a larger volume should access the payment options.
