Can software boost efficiency?
Software that helps efficiencies and hones skills? Freeway Fleet Systems says yes. CVW reports.
Skills Tracker is the latest software iteration from Freeway Fleet Systems. In short it provides a digital record of tasks undertaken by workshop staff such as engineers and apprentices. Part of Freeway’s fleet maintenance system running mobile devices issued in the workshop, its WebApp software records the duration and completion of every task by user. Skills Tracker can also provide insights into work performance with quality assessment, highlighting where knowledge and skills can be improved.
Get in training
For bus and coach operators, labour is not only one of the most costly resources but also one that is particularly challenging to optimise. With the ability to monitor performance, Freeway says Skills Tracker can provide an invaluable tool for supervisors and managers, especially for training, whether it be apprentices and new recruits, or existing staff transitioning from paper or legacy systems.
Users can access best practice and training material directly via their digital mobile devices empowering both skilled and trainee users with all of the tools needed to learn, progress and apply best practice skills. Skills Tracker is also a useful tool for appraisals.
For training, the Skills Tracker can be set up with a second-level of sign off, allowing supervisors or skilled operatives to check the task before job closure. Freeway’s mobile app is also a useful training aid taking the user through each task step by step, with access to helpful instructions, videos and also lists of the correct parts required and maintenance histories; all available from the device.
Complete overview
With task data collated from across the workshop and potentially at multiple locations, Freeway uses data analytics software to calculate standard labour times for tasks. Using advanced computer algorithms and machine learning, the software computes standard times for every type of job, whether it be simply replacing a filter or completing a major service.
With the Skills Tracker task data and standard times calculations, managers can now see how everyone in their team is performing. From this intelligence coupled with staff availability data, decisions can be made on how to optimally allocate staff to tasks that match their skill-set, identify opportunities to improve performance and determine where additional training is required.
“It’s easy to forget labour is the one of the most costly elements of maintaining a fleet and making the best use of the resource is crucial. It’s a particular issue at present due to skilled labour shortages and the transition to digital working,” says Patrick Tandy, MD of Freeway. “With the Skills Tracker and Freeway’s data analysis capabilities, operators have a very useful tool to help them get the most out of their workforce, improving productivity and quality.”
“With tools like this, Freeway leads to better compliance and a safer, more reliable fleet to benefit passengers’ and that’s ultimately what authorities and operators want,” adds Tandy.
