This existing application required synchronisation via a serial cable at the beginning of the day with an allocation of jobs to be accomplished before the day’s end. This start-of-day ritual meant that there was no flexibility to adapt the inspection schedule while in the field.
There was also a need to establish more comparable results between periodic inspections. As the PDA allowed evaluations with freeform text, each inspector could establish their own vocabulary resulting in a mainly qualitative assessment with a high degree of comparative ambiguity.
From the outset of the project, Enabled also understood that the Department were looking to also replace their legacy management system, but the move to a more robust mobile solution should not be slowed down by this longer term migration.
At the time, the 3G iPad 2 was identified as the most appropriate device. As a proof of concept to demonstrate its feasibility of apps on the smaller screen, Enabled also offered the same app but formatted for the iPhone, this was readily accepted by the Department.
“ It gives management the information they need so that we can actually make good evidence based decisions."
Grahame Searle, Director General, Department of Housing, WA
