Lichfield based Bullwell Trailer Solutions goes green with new phase of technology

Independently owned Bullwell Trailer Solutions, has launched the latest phase of its bespoke PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) technology - a move that will eradicate all paper usage amongst the company's engineers.

Representing an investment of £250,000, the PDA system, has been created by Bullwell in association with Iris, the UK's largest private software house, and Cognito, the UK's most experienced mobile systems integrator. It is used by all 50 of Bullwell's mobile engineers to create electronic service records; removing the need to print invoices, reports and transport compliance audits.

The latest phase of this technology sees the introduction of electronic service records for LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and tail lift vehicles. In addition, the system incorporates a KPI report, enabling customers to monitor expenditure and produces a VOSA compliant service sheet, into which an engineer can input details of any faults and actions.

Ian Ashman, Systems Manager at Bullwell Trailer Solutions says: "Carbon reduction is an intrinsic business policy at Bullwell, and reducing paper usage amongst our engineers has been at the forefront of our decisions over the past few years. Not only does our PDA system have huge environmental benefits, but reducing paper also contributes to improving the company's bottom line and ensuring maximum productivity."

Bullwell is now the premier company in the trailer maintenance industry with 100 per cent of its engineers using paper-less technology. The unique 'green' PDA system was first introduced to the company's engineers three years ago and during that time has undergone a number of upgrades to get to this latest stage of technology.

Ian continues: "Using the latest PDA technology, our engineers are able to electronically file job cards, breakdown details and service sheets with our control room. As soon as an engineer arrives on site to service a trailer, he selects and inputs basic information such as time, location, the trailer chassis and fleet number, along with the work which needs to be done on the vehicle.

"This is instantly relayed to the office database which checks and validates the information before allocating the work and providing a full report of the trailer's service history together with any customer notes. Within just a few minutes, the engineer has both the information and authorisation he needs to begin the service, and our head office is instantly informed that the work is in progress."

Using product codes alone, the PDA calculates all the costs and generates all invoices without the engineer having to carry numerous catalogues and worry about labour rates, parts discounts and VAT – all with no paper involved.

Ian continues: "We have now removed all the old glitches associated with telephone calls and faxes and our engineers can create their own calls and job cards even when the office is closed. Our PDA system represents a significant investment but it has been an important move forward and we are reaping the rewards financially, productively and of course, environmentally."

Lichfield based Bullwell Trailer Solutions Ltd, which employs a total of 75 people, has experienced a sustained period of growth and expansion in both operations and service capability, increasing turnover by 20 per cent from £5.6 million in 2010 to a projected £7 million by its November 2011 year end.