North Somerset Council (NSC) is developing a number of proof of concept projects to test a complete mobile solution within selected local authority teams and to demonstrate the effectiveness of its use. The PoC projects will use all of the components identified in the solution including a range of mobile devices, security features, back office applications and the various types of communications (GPRS/3G and WiFi as well as conventional ‘wired’ connections). The selection of specific devices for the staff will be dependant on their job requirements and working environment.
The expected outcome of the PoC is a new, secure and reliable infrastructure improving the existing NSC computing environment that will support mobile working, such that NSC staff can, when out of the office, continue to have office facilities available to them where required.
Architecture
The departments participating in the Mobile Office Live Project are:
Project Nomad will provide the opportunity for mobile office working in several different teams involved in Social Services including Champion Users and Super Users representing the following areas:
Social Workers
Occupational Therapists
Intermediate Care (Primary Care Trust)
The specific deliverables for Social Services include:-
Standard NSC Mobile Office Solution.
Swift via Citrix – Swift is a database used by Social Services that holds client details, assessment details, and service provision/providers. Swift also has the ability to interlink with other programs to share information.
Replacing the handwritten documentation procedure with mobile devices capable of accessing back office systems while staff visit the homes of their patients/clients and are away from the local authority office.
Environmental Protection is using four different user groups within its department to pilot mobile office working. Specific deliverables for Environmental Protection include :-
Standard NSC Mobile Office Solution.
Flare via Citrix – Flare is used by Environmental Protection to record a variety of information including Waste Management, Highways, Noise Pollution and dog handling. Access to Flare is available on NSC Mobile devices to provide up to date job information to the users.
Remote printing while away from the office.
Replacing the handwritten documentation procedure with mobile devices capable of accessing back office systems while staff are away from the local authority office.
Senior management support in large business changing programmes such as Project Nomad is a requirement and NSC has secured the project participation from the Chief Executive, Leader and two Members.
The following are actual quotes from users who participated in the Live Project:-
“Flexibility of time and flexibility of place. Allows me to work wherever Iam and out of usual office hours” – Social Services Team
“As the greatest PC sceptic in the office, I can only tell you that thisConvertible Laptop is fantastic. It saves me so much time by removing the re-keying of the assessment. No way am I ever going to give this machine back !!” – Social Services Team
“...using the mobile device and accessing the source map I was able to update the records with exact locations. This would normally take a day to do, but was completed within two days.” – Social Services Team
“Increase in flexibility, I have been able to work from home for a couple of hours in the morning to give me uninterrupted peace to catch up on paperwork faster than I could in the office.” – Social Services Team
North Somerset Council (NSC) is developing a number of proof of concept projects to
test a complete mobile solution within selected local authority teams and to demonstrate
the effectiveness of its use. The PoC projects will use all of the components
identified in the solution including a range of mobile devices, security features, back
office applications and the various types of communications (GPRS/3G and WiFi as
well as conventional ‘wired’ connections). The selection of specific devices for the staff
will be dependant on their job requirements and working environment.
