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  • The Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department Selects Palm OS Platform Technology.

    REALVision's REALMobile Inspect Application helps EPD save time, increase productivity.

    The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of Hong Kong has selected Palm® handhelds for some of its inspection data capture, using REALMobile Inspect, an application developed by Palm OS® platform software developer, REALVision Technology Ltd.

  • "The combination of our intuitive touch-screen interface and Palm's easy-to-use handhelds meant that little training was required. Integration with our back-end systems makes for an end-to-end workflow, increased efficiency and fewer errors."

    Mr Stephen Tsang
    Chief Technology Officer,
    REALVision

    The Challenge
    The EPD enforces a wide range of environmental protection legislation. This includes inspection of about 70 licensed chemical-waste collectors, with a total collection fleet of about 200 vehicles, and collection of compliance results on a regular basis. In the past, this was done by hand, on paper, before being input into a computer at the EPD office. The process was laborious, time-consuming and paper-intensive.

    In 1999, the EPD reviewed its operational procedures for inspection of collectors. The EPD found that some processes could be improved by the use of handheld computers. Productivity and efficiency in the enforcement of chemical-waste collection as well as data accuracy could be improved. The EPD decided to turn to a solution that would increase the efficiency of inspection processes and logistic workflows and enhance productivity. The EPD chose Palm.

    The Solution
    REALVision, a company that develops mobile enterprise solutions on the Palm OS platform, has developed the REALMobile Inspect solution. This enables digital collection of inspection results, which then can be directly synchronised with the back-end system.

    According to Stephen Tsang, chief technology officer of REALVision, maximising manpower efficiency was a key goal. "The combination of our intuitive touch-screen interface and Palm's easy-to-use handhelds meant that little training was required. Integration with our back-end systems makes for an end-to-end workflow, increased efficiency and fewer errors."

    The solution has suited EPD inspectors on the move, improved workflow speed, and most important, saved time by reducing duplication of data input.

    The Outcome
    The deployment started in February 2000 and has been running for more than a year. The result for the EPD has been increased productivity and efficiency. An inspection team saved about 1.5 man hours each day, and productivity increased by about 10 percent.

    Field staff are now able to retrieve inspection history and fill in inspection checklists instantly through the intuitive touch-screen interface, and they no longer need to carry paper documents. With a press of a button, the information captured is synchronised with the back-end system for further processing. No more data re-entry, and subsequent processing can be initiated immediately.

    The EPD views the use of handheld computing technology from Palm and REALVision for this activity a success. The solution has achieved the objectives of improving efficiency and workflows.

    With REALVision's innovative solution, the EPD aims to further its use of Palm handhelds in the future, extending it to wider applications.

    "Palm OS platform technology, such as REALVision's RealMobile Inspect solution, is revolutionising the way in which organisations like the EPD can manage back-office processes," said Cara Liao, marketing manager, North Asia, Palm, Inc.

    "The innovative solutions being offered by Palm's developer community are helping companies to generate new revenue streams and manage the cost of doing business," concluded Liao.

    About Environmental Protection Department
    The EPD is committed to protecting and improving the environment of Hong Kong, for both present and future generations. The EPD formulates and implements programmes to improve and safeguard the environment while contributing proactively to strategic decision-making in the HKSAR Government that will have an impact on the environment. The EPD is committed to ensuring that all services and programmes offered, including its own internal operations, are developed and conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. The EPD is one of the early adopters of mobile computing on handhelds in HKSAR Government departments.

    For more information on the EPD, please visit: http://www.info.com.hk/epd/.

    About REALVision
    Founded in 1998, REALVision Technology Limited is an affiliate of REALVision Holding Inc and an innovative wireless solutions provider that enables corporations to take advantage of new wireless business opportunities to boost their profitability and productivity. REALVision provides state-of-the-art mobile commerce solutions to enterprises, mobile operators and individual users. The company integrates the power of wireless and Internet technologies into the traditional business systems to create customised wireless solutions for clients. REALVision also designs and develops the needed software applications and mobile devices to work with its innovative business solutions. REALVision is a member of Palm's Plugged In Program.

    Please visit our official website for details at: http://www.realvision.com.hk.