AAA Takes ?Walk? on Wireless Side
by February 19, 2001 12:00 am 92 views
AAA Business Machines Inc. of Fayetteville made a $70,000 technology investment in November that’s already reaping dividends.
Company owner Charles Hanna said touch-screen laptops and software provided by NTI Inc. of Houston, which does business internationally as Walkabout Software, has greatly improved AAA’s efficiency.
NTI president Joey Messenger said AAA, the only authorized Sharp copier dealer in Northwest Arkansas, is the first company in the state to use Walkabout’s technology.
Twelve AAA field technicians are using Panasonic CF-27 laptops containing built-in wireless communications to conduct real-time operations with the company’s host system. That means that when AAA techs use computers in the field, it’s like they’re physically in the office.
Instant communication between techs and AAA’s service department, vehicle warehouses and main warehouse translates into real-time inventory access. Techs can check the availability of parts, view a customer service history, get online technical support, send and receive e-mail, and conduct e-commerce transactions.
New parts to restock warehouse inventories are even automatically ordered.
Before Messenger’s system was installed, Hanna said, his techs each could handle an average of five service calls per day within 100 miles of Fayetteville. Now, an average of seven each is no problem, and that’s without yet recording a heavy crunch time.
“The real benefit,” Messenger said, “is AAA’s techs are completing more tickets, and some of those tickets are billable calls. That means they’re generating more revenue propositions.”