Onsite Technicians Use Smartphones

Stanley Access Technologies Saves Time and Gives Technicians Access to Critical Information Using Palm Treo Smartphones Running Custom Applications

Technicians at Stanley Access Technologies are using Palm(R) Treo(TM) smartphones to install, calibrate and repair automated doors at hospitals, airports, hotels and restaurants. Initial adjustments are now performed quickly and electronically with a customized application that sets parameters for such things as door speed and force.

"I think we're just getting started," said Jeff Bonas, technical support specialist for Stanley Access Technologies. "Now that Treo smartphones are in our technicians' hands and they are experiencing what is possible, the next step is adding such things as onsite billing and inventory control, as well as GPS to reduce time spent looking for job sites."

Stanley Access Technologies, a business division of Stanley Works, an S&P 500 company, creates and installs custom door solutions. Technicians spend the majority of their time at customer locations installing or servicing products and remain on call to provide customers preventative maintenance and 24-hour emergency service. The company uses Treo smartphones for access to phone, contacts, calendar, email, camera, Documents To Go(R), RepliGo and two additional customized applications developed in-house with an independent developer.

Employees using Treo smartphones at Stanley Access Technologies are discovering the following benefits:

- Improved communication between field service technicians and local offices;

- Streamlined software-update process, which delivers updates directly to technicians in the field;

- Reduced setup time by automating the setting of parameters for door speed and force with the Treo smartphone running custom applications;

- Eliminated need to carry heavy binders and several devices to service locations; and

- Simplified photo handling using the Treo smartphone's built-in camera to take pictures of damaged parts and immediately send via email.

With the Treo smartphone running custom-built applications, technicians use the smartphone connected to the door controller to calibrate door settings with an easy tap of a few buttons on the screen, as opposed to climbing a ladder to tweak initial settings manually. Technicians save time performing final safety checks as required by industry regulations.

"We're hearing more customers ask, 'What else can I do with my Treo smartphone besides phone calls and email?'," said Tim Roper, vice president, U.S. region, for Palm, Inc. "Getting to email is the first step. Then customers realize the productivity gains and how easy it is to customize their Treo smartphone to improve other areas of their business" - Palm.