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How do I run Laps Field Service?
Optimal Solutions offers Laps Field Service in two ways. We work with SaaS (Software as a Service), which means that operation of server hardware and software updates are managed by us and provided as a service. By doing so, you will eliminate operational costs.
The alternative is a standard local installation in your facilities.
In both alternatives, Laps will integrate to your service order system.
Who is the typical customer?
Laps Field Service is developed for companies that have field service technicians that perform more than one service order per day. For other types of activities, we ask you to contact us for a discussion.
What is optimization?
Optimization for us is a branch of mathematics. We work with the latest research in the area. Using optimization, Laps finds the best possible plan.
Are maps included? How do I know that the map is up-to-date?
Laps Field Service is delivered with maps from TeleAtlas. The maps are tailor-made for transportations. It is the same map material that is used for navigators in cars. TeleAtlas regularly updates the maps. You receive these updates on a regular basis.
We use a navigation system. What is the difference?
Laps Field Service and an in-car navigator solves two different problems.
A navigation system plans the exact route for one person to his next service order. A navigation system shows "the way” for a technician and tells him where to turn. A navigation system then uses a GPS-receiver to keep track of the position of the vehicle.
Laps Field Service distributes all service orders for all technicians and decides in which order they should be done. Laps Field Service can use address information and does not need a GPS-receiver. Laps Field Service also examines within milliseconds large amounts of alternative routes for all technicians and finds the most effective way of distributing service orders for the organization as a whole. And it updates directly when the situation changes.
We have a system for managing service orders. Do we need to replace it?
No. Laps Field Service works as an add-on to your current service order system. Laps connects to your system and reads information about service orders and technicians, optimizes and plans service orders and writes them back. The updated, optimal plan is always accessible in your ordinary service order system. All this happens continually, so your current system will still be updated and remain your main system. You do not need to change the current handling of received service orders, invoicing or following-up.
If I buy today, will Laps Field Service be out-of-date in a year?
No. Our agreements include upgrades as soon as they are available and updates of maps which keep your system up-to-date.
How does Laps Field Service integrate with our systems?
Optimal Solutions has experience of integration using a very broad spectra of technologies. We use for instance web services, sql or your system's API:s. When information is collected, it is converted to standard xml.
Our dispatchers are spread on several locations; do we have to centralize them to be able to take advantage of Laps?
There is no need to centralize to run Laps. Today we have customers that uses Laps from different locations.
Our information system has maps, is that the same thing as Laps?
Laps offers automatic planning. Maps are used to decide locations, to show for dispatchers and to calculate travel times. All that are used as part of the input to the automatic planning.
What is the time needed to implement Laps?
Normally between 15 and 30 days.
We do not have a system for communication with our field technicians, do we need that?
Field communications are not required for taking advantage of Laps but has impact on how much value you can realize with real time optimization. Our mobile reporting system Laps Mobility can for instance be implemented together with Laps Field Service. Laps Field Service can also take advantage of existing investments in mobile infrastructure.