Mobile Computing Systems Ltd (MCS)

Concentrating on Construction
Established in June 2001, MCS provides software development and system integration services, with specific expertise in the application of handheld computing technology. Having worked within a number of vertical industry sectors over the years, the company has concentrated on the issues facing the construction sector.

Richard Scott, Director, Mobile Computing, explains: "In the construction industry there is typically a heavy reliance on paper-based processes and form-filling. Our technology aims to replace these traditional pen and paper processes with automated, electronic methods that enable real time data capture and transfer at the point of activity – wherever that may be."

MCS' technology also seeks to help construction companies better manage what is often the single biggest cost to their business – subcontractors. Using Priority1, companies are able to proactively assess and monitor performance and progress during projects and keep control of previously unknown, hidden or spiraling costs.

Focusing on Quality
Thanks to its reputation for providing innovative, reliable, effective technology, MCS can showcase some extremely high profile projects. Priority1 has been used for managing outstanding works on the building of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport for BAA, and for snagging the O2 arena in south east London for Sir Robert McAlpine.

"The Terminal 5 project is one of the largest construction projects in Europe. So, before work began we reassessed our Priority1 application to ensure we could deliver the highest quality solution. We soon realized that we needed to address various synchronization technology challenges to ensure complete reliability," adds Scott.

Ensuring Excellence
Following a thorough due diligence exercise, MCS approached leading mobile solution provider Sybase iAnywhere (the mobile and wireless division of Sybase Inc.) and acquired its mobile email synchronization and data connectivity solution, OneBridge.

Scott explains: "OneBridge was the only technology in the marketplace that met the demands of such a complex project environment. These included the ability to host a complex database online, support for large volumes of PDAs synchronizing, and multimedia synchronization capabilities. It was quite simply the best engine for the project by far."

Once chosen, MCS, with support from the Sybase iAnywhere technical team, reengineered Priority1 to incorporate OneBridge. This took just three weeks. "The interaction with the Sybase team was second to none. Without their help we wouldn't have achieved the migration so easily or quickly. They were really fantastic," adds Scott.

Pioneering Processes
Priority1 is proving a huge success. At Terminal 5, with OneBridge's support, it is now managing 5,000 locations containing 150,000 services and assets, delivered by over 60 suppliers. All this on individual Symbol MC50 Enterprise Digital Assistants (EDAs) using the Priority1 application.

The Terminal 5 Building Team can now ensure the quality of the build and monitor and record progress, electronically tracking snags and defects, carrying out quality checks and inspections, and liaising with subcontractors anywhere on site.

In addition, the EDAs have integrated barcode scanners, aiding effective process monitoring and programming. The Team simply use their handsets to read the barcodes installed in each room location - the largest of which is the size of 50 football pitches – to identify their exact location and access any relevant information instantly. The completion state of each location can then be updated as appropriate.

Other MCS customers are using Priority1 to model paper forms, including Health & Safety, surveillance, disciplinary, permits to work and inspections forms and stationery. This means that as soon as data is collected it is available for reporting and analysis purposes. As every electronic form is presented to the user in a familiar fashion, new forms and processes can easily be rolled out without having to retrain users.

Celebrating Success
Deliberately designed to be an intuitive tool, Priority1 incorporates several ‘visual' tools. For example, multimedia functionality, including a drawing-based defect management process, allows users to mark-up images in real time for speedy problem resolution. The handset's built-in camera capability also allows digital photographs to become part of the inspection process and provides a detailed audit trail that can be handed over on project completion.

Supporting all this activity is OneBridge, providing a flexible, powerful and secure way to take control of devices and manage access to information and data. In addition, as OneBridge is independent of connection mode, time and location, the highest possible levels of reliability with the widest range of connection choices is provided.
This means the EDAs do not require an active connection to perform tasks, allowing operators to work in remote locations or underground and then send and receive data to and from the central database using a mobile phone network signal, wired cradles, WiFi network, or Bluetooth or infrared network when available.

Without doubt, Priority1 and its use during the current Terminal 5 project is a remarkable achievement - and one which hasn't gone unnoticed by BAA. Jon Milford, Head of Buildings at Terminal 5, concludes: "Accurately managing information on a project of this scale and complexity was always going to be challenging. Priority1 and the Symbol MC50 mobile computer have helped us achieve this. [They] have worked closely with the Buildings Quality Team to create a breakthrough initiative and the results have been impressive."

About Sybase iAnywhere
Sybase iAnywhere enables success at the front lines of business. The company holds worldwide market leadership positions in mobile and embedded databases, mobile management and security, mobile middleware and synchronization, and Bluetooth® and infrared protocol technologies. Tens of millions of mobile devices and 20,000 customers and partners rely on the company's "Always Available" technologies, including SQL Anywhere and its Information Anywhere Suite. Sybase iAnywhere is a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. (NYSE:SY).