In-vehicle notebook increases productivity - General Dynamics Itronix

Case Study
New Solution Helps Karcher Clean Up
The in-vehicle notebook that is helping the world-leader in cleaning equipment stay ahead of the competition
Part of the reason for Karcher’s success has come from being an
innovator, which is something General Dynamics Itronix shares.
“I know that one of the key objectives
was to increase productivity. This solution
will enable our engineers to double
their call capabilities. It has already been
rolled out with engineers in France and
Germany.”
Andreas Vaas.
Problem
Graphic image single column
4.3 x 3.3 max.
Karcher’s field service engineers were using
suitcase computers, which were heavy and not
mobile. They lacked performance, flexible features
and real-time updates with the company’s service
depots.
Solution
The General Dynamics Itronix VR-2 in-vehicle
rugged notebook.
Application
An operating system linking the VR-2 vehicle
rugged mobile computers with Karcher’s service
depots, including GPS and online via UMTS.
In-vehicle notebook increases productivity
Karcher leads the world in providing cleaning equipment and prides itself
in being an innovator in its field. Supplying a range of products from high
pressure cleaners to vacuums, Karcher offers its customers worldwide service
and support.
With approximately 85 percent of Karcher products less than five years
old, innovation is a key driver for growth and has resulted in their industry
leading position. The company has become a global phenomenon keen
to improving the communications and efficiency of its service engineers
worldwide.
General Dynamics Itronix Europe
+44 (0)2476 714800

New solution helps Karcher clean up
Karcher originally supplied field-service
engineers with a self-assembled
suitcase solution, including a notebook
and separate printer. The solution was
heavy, had only basic software and was
lacking GPS and electronic technical
manuals. Calls were logged on the
engineers computer, but the depots
were only updated once a week. This
was far from ideal.
The company wanted to be more
flexible, mobile and efficient, so they
designed a new workforce management
software application. The
application included GPS for route
optimization and electronic technical
drawings of the products for improved
maintenance times. New hardware
was required, powerful enough to run
the new application but also robust
enough to survive the work environment
of Karcher engineers.
Karcher chose General Dynamics
Itronix VR-2 with its full-size keyboard
and DynaVue glare-free touchscreen
display technology. DynaVue offers
unrivalled outdoor visibility – even in
extremely bright conditions. The VR-2,
designed to survive a range of conditions,
is mounted in the service engineers’
vehicles, and is the perfect solution
for engineers working in extreme
environments, including temperature
and rain.
The new solution offers real-time
communications providing up-to-date
status information to the service depot.
In addition, the touchscreen application
allows engineers to capture customers
signatures and send acknowledgements
by e-mail.
Sandy McCaskie, Managing Director
of General Dynamics Itronix Europe,
said,“Karcher is a world leader in its
field and is at the forefront of new technology.
Part of the company’s success
has come from being an innovator and
that is something we have in common
with them.”
Andreas Vaas, Client Services Manager
of Karcher, said, “Now engineers can
exchange information in real-time, and
the system is mounted in the vehicle
and offers route-planning for
engineers.”
“We know some of the conditions
the service engineers work in can be
quite hostile. The VR-2 can withstand
extreme temperatures as well as water
ingress. Also, the DynaVue touchscreen
display was extremely appealing
because of the fact that it remains visible
in extreme brightness and features
the touch screen capability allowing
customers to sign off, confirming that
work has been carried out. That information
can now be transferred immediately
back to the service depot,which
is much more efficient than the
previous process,” said Vaas.
Mr. Thomas Marx – Group Operations Manager (Left) Mr. Andreas Vaas - Customer Services Manager (Right)
July 2009
General Dynamics ITRONIX Europe | +44 (0)2476 714800 | sales@gd-itronix.eu | www.gd-itronix.eu
© 2009 General Dynamics. All rights reserved.