By using the app Contractor Representatives or PTA staff (or employees) performing onsite work:
- Can go directly to site and when ready Start and Finish any Work Orders assigned to them rather than having to first report to PTA staff in person (to clock on/off)
- Work more autonomously. The app includes a number of built in features e.g. the Having Trouble? link which allows officers to help themselves if they are unable to remember their password and are having trouble logging in, rather than having to contact PTA for assistance.
Similarly users can update the estimated time to complete (ETC) on a WO themselves – they don’t have to contact PTA for an extension – while PTA are notified that this has occurred. When starting a Work Order for example and when prompted to confirm whether they have completed a Take 5, if they have not yet done so, they can complete the Take 5 electronically right then by simply selecting a relevant answer to each question that is displayed on screen. Working autonomously means fewer hold-ups as users don’t need to seek or wait for assistance
- Simply login and follow the prompts. The app has been specifically designed to be easy and intuitive to use. Being used on a mobile device all screens are streamlined to ensure the minimum number of details are needed to be input manually. When selecting an Estimated Time to Complete (ETC) on a WO, for example, a user may simply click a slider to select the amount of time required rather than having to manually type it in via your phone.
- Call for on the spot advice/input if required, such as assistance locating a particular piece of equipment/plant. Users dont need to know or lookup the contact number, they simply click on Assist Me? And the rest is handled by the app. (It will automatically place a call from the users mobile to the relevant person to assist). The app contains built in Contact lists, with the Name, Position Description and Contact number and / or emails. When needing assistance users can therefore identify and select the relevant person to contact from the list. This action initiates a call or email, and eliminates the manual process of entering the number or drafting an email and entering in email addresses. This also ensure the correct phone number and / or emails addresses are used.
- Interact with PTA staff as and when required e.g. when requiring isolations. The app requires users to call for isolations and de-isolations when opening and closing work orders that require isolations.
- Log any issues such as potential safety hazards or additional items to be fixed that they come across while on site. To do so they can simply take a photo of the issue using their mobile, provide any supporting comments they wish to provide and submit the issue. As the app automatically determines a number of work order details from data acquired from the users mobile phone, e.g. their current location (where the issue exists), the user only needs to manually fill in a minimum number of details
- Receive help quickly if required. This is particularly important when working as a Lone Worker in isolated and potentially hazardous areas (below ground). As the app automatically monitors the users movements using motion and accelerometer readings taken from their mobile phone. The app also monitors the time taken to complete a Work Order compared to the ETC the user submitted. If not finished within the expected time, an "Are you OK?" prompt will automatically display in the app for the user to respond. If not OK, the user can initiate a call to the relevant PTA officer or can dial 000 in an emergency.