In an effort to enhance the productivity of its mobile workforce, Northwest Natural Gas, a local gas distribution company serving the southwestern U.S., will implement eMobile Data’s Service-Link software, a custom designed Web-based Mobile Resource Management system. The system will be implemented this summer.

With over 15,000 miles of pipe to inspect, the gas company’s Engineering department will utilize the Service-Link System to automate its pipe location, dispatching and work order management processes. The system will match field technicians with the required skills, equipment, supplies, and geographical location to work orders. For the gas company’s over half-a-million industrial and residential customers this means quicker response time and fast reliable service.

According to Deborah Springborn, COO of eMobile Data, the two companies will work together with Northwest Natural Gas participating in "a hands-on, dynamic configuration process that will accelerate the knowledge transfer and will map their workflow to the field technicians’ work order process."

Service-Link is a Web-based technology that integrates with a company’s existing systems as well as being deployable over multiple wireless networks.

• Utilizes J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition) and Internet technologies such as Java, XML/XSL and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 DBMS
• Scalable to meet the needs of the small or large enterprise
• Interfaces with a variety of computer systems
• Built-in standard order templates that can be configured to meet specific dispatch requirements (version 3.5)
• Compatible devices include Windows-based PocketPCs to full laptop PCs with Web browser and modem
• Supports most private (Motorola, DataRadio) and public wireless data networks (CDPD, Mobitex)
• Allows for the download of data, such as work orders, to mobile computers via a regular dial-up network card or docking station connection

For more information: http://www.emobiledata.com/