Mobile Technology Adds Speed, Efficiency to EHS Applications

May 9th, 2008

ESS is currently building an enhanced mobile framework using the latest Microsoft technology and tools. Joseph Jordan, ESS’ director of Mobile Architecture, is heading up this project for us. This framework will be used to build new and enhanced workflow, data collection, data transfer, and data distribution capabilities.

What are the benefits of utilizing mobile solutions for enterprise EHS management and sustainability? For one, using mobile devices makes data collection and monitoring of critical information faster and easier. This technology also makes workers more productive by giving them the ability to respond to all types of business challenges in real time.

The new framework and architecture we are developing gives organizations real-time access to critical data and information, streamlining compliance activities and improving data integrity. Mobile technology has always made it easier for organizations to collect data from the plant or site level so it can be quickly uploaded into their EHS software databases for analysis and communicated throughout the organization. These new mobile development tools now also make preventative and predictive information including metrics, KPIs and business intelligence reports accessible to the operator’s via mobile “push” technologies to help them better manage their areas of responsibility which were previously only available through the desktop. That’s one big reason why we are excited about our plans to add these new mobile capabilities to our EHS and Crisis Management solutions for air, water, hazardous waste, fugitive emissions, chemical inventory management, auditing, incident management and industrial hygiene. You’ll see more about this in the near future.

ESS has been delivering handheld and mobile solutions for over 10 years, beginning with our Waste Management bar code and waste tracking handhelds and Jordan Systems chemical inventory mobile tools. So this technology isn’t new to us. What’s new and better is the higher quality of information available to the users as well as real time and wireless data transfer, improving oversight and decision making while freeing up more time for other important duties.

Another benefit of this new and advanced architecture platform is that it will also enable our customers to standardize on common handheld devices across the entire spectrum of integrated modules within our integrated sustainability platform. In addition to reducing the aggregate cost of hardware for mobile capability this will also result in:

• Easier and more intuitive data entry
• Enhanced data integrity and automation of compliance processes
• Improved productivity. Simpler data collection effort
• Improved field documentation of incident investigations
• Faster identification and implementation of corrective actions by site personnel

These new enhancements will speed up process management and data collection, improve accuracy for all EHS functions and help ensure regulatory compliance, production uptime and injury free workplaces.

Here’s an anecdote that shows the benefits of a mobile device. Mind you, this isn’t even a crisis — just a normal day to day activity in the life of an operator:

A manager of a waste storage facility is currently offsite, but would like to check the status of the overnight preparations for a waste shipment scheduled to take place later that morning:

The Mobile Approach: The manager is offsite and receives an alert on his PDA or smart phone, enabled with mobile technology. With an icon click, information appears on the screen indicating that there may be a problem with a hazardous waste shipment that is incorrectly labeled. The manager makes a quick call to the plant to inquire about the project status and clear up the issue with the overnight supervisor. Upon the manager’s arrival at the facility, waste drums are promptly re-labeled, loaded and ready for shipment.

Typical Desktop Approach: The same manager, without the benefit of mobile technology, drives to the facility, unaware that a problem exists. The manager logs onto a desktop computer, enters the appropriate application, which requires another login and password; uses a navigation tree to drill down to the report menu; uses a pull-down menu to choose the affected facility; and finally clicks the icon to run the report. That’s when the problem is identified.

Because many compliance activities occur away from the desktop, handheld functionality is a critical link in the compliance automation chain. Thanks to innovators like Joseph Jordan and other members of our development and product management team, you’ll see these mobile technology solutions in our offering in the near future.

Tags: ehs ess microsoft mobile framework mobile solutions mobile technology

Entry Filed under: Operational Risk Management, ESS, EHS/HSE Technology