Britvic selects Sidewinder for Real Time Mobile Resource Optimisation

Britvic Soft Drinks, one of the UK's leading soft drink companies has selected Sidewinder as the supplier of their real time mobile resource optimisation software for vehicle and people resource efficiency. With over 40,000 retail outlets such as pubs, restaurants and cinemas using Britvics vending and dispense equipment, Britvic selected Sidewinder to provide a real time resource scheduling solution for their UK National Service and Installation Team. The solution will ensure maximum utilisation of mobile resources, streamlined business processes and deliver increasingly sophisticated levels of service at reduced cost.

(PRWEB) March 20, 2004 --With their UK National Service and Installation team consisting of 200+ field service engineers, Britvics large and complex service operation was previously planned using an IBM AS/400-based service management system. However, as the information wasnt recorded and scheduled in real-time, customer enquiries could not be accurately answered and management information was often lacking. Relying on pen, paper and mobile phone to manage their service calls, the service engineers needed constant telephone communication between the Service Centre and themselves in an effort to maintain resource scheduling and customer service levels.
   
Britivc is focused on finding means of generating more value to its customers. Through a clear strategy to increase productivity and improve customer service it was necessary to enhance the business processes for the management of customer services and securing a real time resource scheduling tool was an integral component of the solution.

Roger Smalley, Britvic, comments. Resources in the field are probably the most costly part of our service equation and the efficient utilisation of these resources is critical to the success of our business. The logical step was to focus on maximising the efficiency of field based resources."

Britvic turned to Sidewinder for their commitment to providing companies with real time resource scheduling solutions. With a proven track record of successful software implementations, Sidewinders sophisticated solution, ServiceEXPRESS is designed to handle situations where customer requirements are continually changing. The system has unique, dynamic scheduling facilities and provides real-time control over operations.
The new system will automatically schedule a high proportion of calls that come into the National Service Department from customers. New inbound calls are then planned with existing calls to maximise route planning and engineer productivity. Sidewinders automated route planning and efficient time window allocation will result in faster more efficient scheduling, whilst maintaining high service levels and providing increased flexibility. The software continually calculates all the routes and schedules, automatically accounting for engineer availability, skill levels and road network details, as well as time needed to complete each call request.
In addition to the cost benefit of only booking service visits that are known to fit efficiently with other calls already committed, the introduction of Sidewinder will also provide several additional service improvements. Job details will be transmitted automatically to the mobile workforce. Allocated by location and workload, a job list will be displayed on the engineers handheld wireless Telematic device. Using the pen or finger touch-sensitive screen, the engineer can accept the job and the system automatically notifies the Service Centre. Other key stages - arrival and work completion - can similarly be reported for accurate engineer tracking.
Sidewinders routing and scheduling system will streamline what was previously a more manually planned service operation. By efficient scheduling, Britvic will instantly save costs through efficient travel time, mileage expenses and overtime not to mention the increased resource productivity & servicing more customers." Comments Roger Smalley

Sidewinder, Sales Director, Derek Brown adds, "Sidewinders routing and scheduling software helps field service managers maintain a high level of engineer utilisation whilst at the same time reducing fuel costs and enhancing customer service through more effective planning and scheduling. We are delighted to be supporting Britvic in this way, which reconfirms the breadth of industry sectors to which Sidewinder software can add value."

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About Sidewinder
Sidewinder has enabled businesses worldwide to maximise revenue and customer retention, through efficiency improvements, from the optimisation of mobile resources and business processes. Today, Sidewinder is viewed as a leader in real time mobile resource optimisation software solutions for vehicle and people resource efficiency. At present, Sidewinder sales and service facilities are located globally on 3 continents with Group Headquarters and European offices in the UK, in addition to offices in America and Asia Pacific.

For Additional Information, Please Contact:

Derek Brown -- European Sales Director
Sidewinder Europe Ltd
44 Wellesbourne House
Walton Road
Wellesbourne
Warwickshire. CV35 9JB
United Kingdom
I: http://www.sidewinderholdings.com
E: derek.brown@sidewindereurope.com
T: +44 (0) 1789 472770
F: +44 (0) 1789 472771

Keith Ricketts -- Director
Marketing Fusion Ltd
Oracle Building
Blythe Valley Park
Solihull
B90 6BX
I: http://www.marketingfusion.co.uk
E: keith.ricketts@marketingfusion.co.uk
T: +44 (0) 121 506 9666
F: +44 (0) 121 506 9610