Knowledge Online
Audit and Inspection Software
Client Overview
Knowledge Online (KOL) is a leading developer of compliance auditing technology.
KOL deliver breakthrough solutions to international clients across disciplines such as health and safety, snagging, quality, risk assessment, environment and loss prevention within industries such as construction and retail.
Requirements
KOL wanted a more cost-effective, user-friendly and faster solution to their existing enterprise management information system; E-SAFE 100. This PDA-based application was used by thousands of inspectors on site.
Issues
KOL had experience with previous systems, but wanted a total re-development, restructure and redesign, from the ground up. Main areas for improvement included increased speed, reliability and usability together with accurate reporting and economically advantageous technologies.
The technologies used in the previous system were not up to date, so limited what could be developed, and the scope of the product’s capabilities.
Overseas development on the original product hindered progress, with time differences and language barriers.
The synchronisation system which uploaded and downloaded inspection information was extremely inefficient and ineffective. A third party, previously developed synchronisation system was used and contained limited reports.
Following an analysis of the current problems, MDB began eradicating each issue by firstly developing a brand new product specification and secondly offering specialist solutions to further enhance the products capabilities.
Solution
A highly optimised solution was created, which opened up fresh avenues for previously ruled-out applications. The huge reduction in synchronisation times, meant GPRS was a viable, economical tool.
MDB’s understanding of KOL’s broader business needs and objectives, enabled them to offer ideas for improvement within the overall business as well as the individual product. The partnership fast became an indispensable resource to KOL.
Within a tight timescale, MDB delivered the most proficient and cost-effective E-SAFE 100 technology system ever created. It featured many technological and functional advances over its predecessors including speed, intuitiveness and reliability. As a result E-SAFE 100 won the sought after accolade of Product of the Year at the Construction Computing Awards, 2006.
Details
Testimonial
"MDB has worked as a key partner to Knowledge Online, not only in the development of our new handheld application, but also taking a critical role in the specification of the initial design of the product. We now have the most advanced handheld application in the market, but we also have a partner that can help us respond rapidly to client requirements.
MDB is more than just a development house. They have demonstrated an ability to advise us in an area where they have expertise. They clearly understood our business requirements and were able to translate these into an IT development roadmap that we could understand and articulate to our existing clients and new prospects."
Andy McDonald - Managing Director of Knowledge Online Ltd
Benefits
A more reliable and efficient solution meant on-site inspections cost less time and money with decreased errors and improved loss prevention. Benefits included:
- Speed: Increased speed of information transfer (at least 20 times faster), due to a bespoke delta synchronisation mechanism, only sending and receiving new information
- Mobility: Inspection reports can be sent to the site by email – no need for laptops or mobile printers
- Precious information: Completed inspections offer critical business information including alerts, real time reports and analysis
- Time: Minimal implementation time with the highest levels of data security (ISO 9977)
- Decreased errors: Improved user interface offering minimal room for error
- Decreased costs: Significant savings in development time and decreased day-to-day costs
- More functions: Alternative functionality introduced
- Reliability: Reports generated offline, ruling out the dependency for network connections or high bandwidth
Clients now include Staples, Next, Ellmers and Pettifer Construction.
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http://www.knowledgeonline.net