ServicePower, GE Security, and Panasonic team to provide breakthrough productivity for field service (email this article)

Orlando FL, September 18, 2006, AFSMI World Conference, Booth 517, – ServicePower (Company Profile, Past Stories, Case Studies), which offers tools that enable optimized service execution across the entire service chain, today announced that it has been recognized, along with GE Security, Intel, and Panasonic, by three prestigious awards programs for the joint implementation at GE Consumer and Industrial (GECI), an industry leader in major appliance, lighting, and integrated industrial equipment, systems, and services.

The technology solution implemented at GE Consumer and Industrial’s Appliance division includes ServicePower’s SERVICEMobility solution that integrates artificial intelligence scheduling and dispatch software, Panasonic Toughbook laptop computers, GE Security’s automatic vehicle location system, and wireless communications technologies, while the enterprise hardware platform incorporates ruggedized, Intel based laptop computers with Intel Centrino mobile technology.

The joint technology solution received its first award from M2M Magazine’s United Conference Value Chain Awards Program. M2M’s awards highlight the process of combining multiple machine-to-machine technologies—such as device-connectivity hardware, radio modules, network service and provisioning, and application software and infrastructure—and show how all of the various value chain elements combine to create a winning solution for the end customer.

Subsequently, the joint technology solution also received an award from Computerworld Mobile & Wireless World’s Best Practices in Mobile & Wireless Awards Program. The implementation at GECI was honored in the Business Evolution Through Mobilizing Field Workers category, which recognizes the adoption of mobile and wireless strategies in the nontraditional mobile workforce. The joint implementation was evaluated for the field worker's ability to connect with corporate applications and data to get business done in a remote business environment. The panel also considered increases in efficiency, service enhancement, productivity, and bottom-line return.

The latest award is from the QUALCOMM sponsored 3G A-List Awards Program, which is designed to recognize innovative and successful enterprise wireless data solutions based on third-generation CDMA standards.

“In all of these awards, the joint technology solution was honored for its demonstration of creativity and innovation and for how GECI exceeded business objectives by producing higher return on investment, lowering operating expenses, and increasing customer satisfaction,” commented Ian MacKinnon, president of ServicePower, Inc. “We are extremely proud of the work we have done at GECI, and this outstanding recognition from so many awards programs is the icing on the cake in terms of the success we have achieved on this particular implementation along with our partners GE Security, Intel, and Panasonic.”

“The Panasonic Toughbook is a result of a shared commitment to develop innovative and powerful ruggedized mobile solutions,” said Dick Bland, Director, Global Manufacturing Industry Strategy , Intel Corporation. “By offering rugged, wireless connectivity, GE service technicians have not only increased productivity, they have also raised customer service ratings by 3 percent.”*

The combination of Intel Centrino mobile technology with Toughbook reliability provides faster, more responsive scheduling of service appointments, better on-time delivery and first time fix rates, and improved communication between field service technicians and dispatchers to reduce the need for more than one visit to repair appliances or units.

*Source: http://www.intel.com/business/casestudies/sbp/geci.pdf

About ServicePower
ServicePower (LSE: SVR) offers tools that enable optimized service execution across the entire service chain. The company provides the most widely used artificial intelligence based field service scheduling application in the world. ServicePower solutions, offered throughout the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Europe, allow companies to locate their directly employed field resources in particular geographical areas and supplement their coverage with a network of independent, authorized servicers in other areas. The routes for both the company’s field resources and the independent servicers are optimized by ServicePower’s technology to ensure the right balance between service and cost. ServicePower also provides warranty chain management, call center services, and analytics for manufacturers, third-party administrators, and retailers. ServicePower’s customers include innovative, world leading companies such as Argos, Avaya, GE, Hitachi, Sanyo, Sharp, and Siemens. For more information, visit www.servicepower.com/.

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