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Movilizer - by Movilitas Solutions

Movilizer for SAP CS
(mCS) – A Mobile App for SAP CS
for Field Service Technicians

Cloud Illustration

Introduction Movilizer for SAP CS:
Executive Summary

Download PDF summary: Full description

We are sure that you already realise the benefits you can gain from mobilising your business processes. Consequently, we shall concentrate here on showing how you can achieve your objectives in the environment of mobile maintenance.


Our approach in the project:


In principle, we discuss matters with you, with the person responsible in the operating department (functional aspects), with your IT department (technical aspects) and finally with your purchasing department (cost and TCO play a decisive role in mobile projects). The aspect of operating costs especially distinguishes our approach significantly from that of our competitors. The Movilizer pursues a completely new approach both with respect to its operating concept and the flexible configuration options of the application.

The application handles the following functions, among others:


  • Customer Service Orders – maintenance orders with all the associated information such as operations, long text, status management, business partners, time and material confirmation, reference objects such as equipments and functional locations
  • Customer Service Notification processing with all the associated information such as long text, positions, activities, tasks, status management, business partners and reference objects such as equipments and functional locations
  • Managing equipments, incl. replacement, installation, dismantling, classification, measurement points and status management
  • Managing functional locations with installation/removal at technical functional locations, classifications, measurement points and status management
  • Customer Management to keep your Master Data in SAP up to date

1   Functional Features


  1. Order management (planned and unplanned maintenance)
  2. Notification handling
  3. Malfunction management
  4. Checklist processing
  5. Business Partner Management
  6. Inventory Management

2   Technical Features


  1. The Movilizer runs on all mobile terminals
  2. Comprehensive customizing, open enhancement concept
  3. Can be used without new hardware
  4. Does not require new technical skills in your company IT department
  5. Supports barcode scanning and RFID
  6. Captures GPS geo-coordinates
  7. Exchanges multimedia files (download / upload)
  8. Supports mobile printing processes
  9. Captures digital signatures
  10. Integration to Ressource Planning Tools
  11. Integration into Map&Guide Tools

3   Unique features


  1. Simplicity
    • Simple deployment and installation on mobile terminals
    • Simple application flow (minimised end user training)
    • Simple adaptation of the application: changes can be implemented without interruption of the productive operation

  2. Flexibility
    • One application for all different devices
    • Flexible adaptation of the application (new screens/fields)
    • Support of combined roles (MashUps). One mobile application can combine data and processes from different backend systems.

  3. Integration
    • The entire mobile business logic is in the backend. This is also where the complete data and knowledge of a company reside. The core competence of your IT resides there as well.
    • Integration certified by SAP and SOA-enabled
    • Seamless transition between SAP backend processes and mobile processes

  4. Costs
    • End user training requirement is moderate
    • Mobile hardware can be reused
    • No new server or knowledge for mobile middleware required
    • No advance investment required; payment only for productive use
    • Short, incremental development cycles are promoted




The diagram represents the holistic view of our mobile plant maintenance solution from a logical point of view (click image to enlarge).

We take a different approach


We have not developed another mobile application for maintenance, but instead rethought and redesigned the concept that is behind such applications from the bottom up. Our innovative approach can be summarized as follows:



  1. Even if customers have similar functional requirements for mobile maintenance, each individual customer must be able to structure the sequence of processes/process steps individually within the mobile application. We do not provide you with a monolithic application, but instead with a pool of processes, which you can configure to match your scenario.
  2. Mobile maintenance cannot be a standalone application; instead, it must be possible to integrate functionalities from other areas, such as materials management or resource planning into the mobile process.

  1   Functional Features

Movilizer for SAP CS was developed to fulfil the following functional requirements:


  • Customer Service Orders (CS) – maintenance orders with all the associated information such as operations, long text, status management, business partners, time and material feedback, reference objects such as equipments and functional locations
  • (CS) notification processing with all the associated information such as long text, positions, activities, tasks, status management, business partners and reference objects such as equipments and functional locations
  • Managing equipments, incl. replacement, installation, dismantling, classification, measurement points and status management
  • Managing functional locations with installation/removal at technical functional locations, classifications, measurement points and status management

Movilizer for SAP CS has a modular structure. As a result, you can configure individual, functional roles of your service technician from the pool of business processes.

 

Title

Function

Carrying Out Work Orders

 The mobile device displays the list of all SAP CS orders allocated to the technician. The mobile user can display the work details as well as details of the technical objects. He can also update the associated notification and then confirm the operation. The mobile user can enter time and material confirmations for the operation. Planned materials are displayed and can be confirmed; unplanned materials can be confirmed as having been taken from the technician stock. Then the mobile user can change the status as well as edit long and short texts.

Handling Notifications

 The mobile device displays a list of all created and allocated SAP CS notifications. The mobile user can display the message details and history. Feedback is then provided on positions, reasons, activities and tasks.

Creating New Orders Or Notifications

 The technician detects a malfunction and creates a notification or order off-line on the mobile device. The equipment can be identified via a selection list, barcode or RFID.

Checklist Processing

 Support is provided for inspection tours, allowing the technician to work through checklists or to document measuring results in a time-optimised manner.

Business Partner Management

 Maintenance of master data for Business Partners linked to the order or notifcation.

Inventory Management

 The technician can check the availability of materials in his van stock, reflecting his material confirmations. As well materials can be revered for an order.
  A Sample Process: Work Order Management / Creation of new Orders

Work Order Management / Creation of new Orders

 

1

Customer / Technician reports malfunction

 Via Call Centre Via mobile device or Internet (self-service)

2

Service ticket is created

 SAP CS: Work Order is created SAP CS: associated notification is created

3

Service ticket is allocated to the work group

 (All) technicians who are allocated to the work group receive the ticket on their mobile devices.

4

The technician/s receive/s the work orders on his/their mobile device/s.

 The technicians allocated to the work group receive the ticket on their mobile devices (via GPRS, UMTS or WiFi Sync).

5

The technician displays a list of work orders (= visit list)

 The technician displays a list of work orders for the day. Each repair or visit is normally documented in the form of a work order or notification.

6

The technician displays details about the order operation.

 The technician displays a list of the operations for the work order.

7

The technician confirms his working time.

 The technician reports back his working time using the customizing performed in SAP.

8

The technician confirms materials used

 The technician can confirm planned and unplanned materials for each operation. He can access the technician stock for this.

9

The technician processes the associated notification.

 When processing the notification, the technician can:
  • work on positions
  • work on activities
  • work on tasks
  • capture reasons

10

Status management and long text

 As soon as a work order has been confirmed as completed, the status of the order changes automatically in the SAP CS backend..

If desired, the Movilizer can be configured in such a way that the user can update the user status.

The technician can also edit the order texts.

11

Processing of Technical Objects

 The technician can enter measurement values for measurement points for technical objects.

12

Changing the structure of functional locations

 The technician can install or uninstall equipment as well as move a functional location within the structure of functional locations. To do this, he can either use an equipment or serialize new material at the time of installation.

13

Synchronisation of completed work orders

 Synchronisation can be triggered in various ways depending on the configuration of the Movilizer:
  • Manually
  • Automatically within the process
  • Automatically in the background
  A Sample Process: Notification Management / Creation of new Notifications

Notification Management / Creation of new Notifications

 

1

The technician processes the associated notification.

 When processing the notification, the technician can:
  • work on positions
  • work on activities
  • work on tasks
  • capture reasons

2

Status management and long text

 As soon as a work order has been confirmed as completed, the status of the order changes automatically in the SAP CS backend.

If desired, the Movilizer can be configured in such a way that the user can update the user status.

The technician can also edit the order texts.

3

Processing of Technical Objects

 The technician can enter measurement values for measurement points for technical objects.

4

Changing the structure of functional locations

 The technician can install or uninstall equipment as well as move a functional location within the structure of functional locations. To do this, he can either use an equipment or serialize new material at the time of installation.
  A Sample Process: Processing of technical objects

Processing of technical objects

 

1

Processing of Technical Objects

 The technician can enter measurement values for measurement points for technical objects.

2

Processing of characteristics

 Technician is able to update characteristics to the Technical Objects

3

Changing the structure of functional locations

 The technician can install or uninstall equipment as well as move a functional location within the structure of functional locations. To do this, he can either use an equipment or serialize new material at the time of installation.
  2   Technical Features

Feature Description

It runs on any mobile device

 The Movilizer Client is a very small piece of software (some few Kilobytes) written in different native languages (depending on the target device) capable of running in offline / on nearly any mobile phone, smart phone, PDA, Tablet PC, Netbook or Notebook. Please refer to http://www.movilizer.com/Supported_Devices/ for a complete list of supported devices.

The deployment of the Movilizer Client is done via SMS or simple file transfer and is as easy as downloading a ringtone (average set up time is seconds). The Movilizer client works online—offline. This means that you do not need connectivity to be able to work with it. The synchronisation can be triggered automatically in background, explicitly by the mobile User or based on a process step.

Comprehensive configuration possibilities, marginal programming

 The Movilizer for SAP CS allows you to configure the mobile application and all its functionalities for different Users and User groups. The configuration of the mobile application is done in the SPRO transaction of your SAP ERP system using the standard customising mode for Movilizer.

It does not need additional hardware

 The Movilizer for SAP CS allows you to configure the mobile application and all its functionalities for different Users and User groups. The configuration of the mobile application is done in the SPRO transaction of your SAP ERP system using the standard customising mode for Movilizer.

Supports barcode scanning and RFID

 BARCODE Scanning
The Movilizer supports barcode scanning in any standard format (2D Datamatrix or lineal barcodes), provided the mobile device has a built-in barcode scanner.
Should your mobile device not have a built-in barcode scanner but an autofocus camera, the Movilizer offers the option to use the mobile phone camera as a barcode scanner. In this way any standard mobile phone can become a barcode scanner. (Supported Devices via mobile phone camera: any Nokia series 60s, with exception of the Nokia E90, any BlackBerry device. On request any device can be supported.

RFID Reading / Writing
The Movilizer supports reading RFID data and writing data to RFID tags in any frequency (NFS, LF, HF or UHF), provided the mobile device has a built-in RFID reader.
Should your mobile device not have a built-in RFID reader, the Movilizer offers the option to use the mobile device Bluetooth to connect to external RFID readers. Companies like Microsensys supply low cost Bluetooth enabled RFID readers for different frequencies and in different formats. In this way any standard mobile phone or PDA can become an RFID enabled device.

GPS geo-coordinates

 GPS capturing during Order / Notification Execution
The Movilizer allows you to link any process (Notification Creation, Work Order Execution) with the background capturing of GPS coordinates. In this way you can always know who created or processed what (Movilizer User), where (Geo-coordinate) and when (Timestamp is automatically captured in background as well).For this feature a GPS or A-GPS enabled mobile device is required.

Automatic vehicle / device tracking via GPS

You can also configure the Movilizer to do automatic Vehicle / Device Tracking. In this modus, the Technician's mobile phone automatically sends GPS geo-coordinates every X minutes (time interval configurable), so that the Dispatcher is able to follow the Technicians route during the day.

Multimedia files (download / upload)

 Taking Pictures (upload)
Since the Movilizer release V1.7, you are able to use your mobile device camera to take pictures of any type (e.g. broken equipment) and to link them to any business processes (e.g. linking pictures to the Notification or to the Work Order itself).

Downloading pictures (e.g. technical drawings)
Since the Movilizer release V1.7, you are able to download to the mobile device any pictures related to the Notifications or Work Orders.

Recording and downloading videos and voice files
The Movilizer does not support this feature today; however it is in our roadmap for Q4 2011 (release V1.9).

Printing (download / upload)

 The Movilizer offers the option to use the mobile device Bluetooth in order to print barcode labels, maintenance / service reports, and any kind of print outs. In general, any Zebra mobile printer is supported. Other mobile printer models can be supported on request.

Capturing Digital Signature

 Since the Movilizer release V1.7, you are able to use touch screen mobile devices in order to capture digital signatures.
  3   Key Differentiators

Key Diferrentiator

Feature Description

The Movilizer is the lowest cost option

 The Movilizer is the lowest cost option to "movilize" SAP CS in the market today. Because it is low cost and "usage based" licensing is possible, you are able to even deploy the Movilizer to external employees or final Customers. With the Movilizer, you can even think about creating a new communication channel with your end Customers. F or example, allowing them to use their mobile phones for self service purposes: rather than having to call the service helpdesk. End Customers could use the Movilizer to report malfunctions (Notification creation).

It is deployed in seconds (device setup can be done by the end user) The Movilizer Client can be installed in less than 1 minute on any mobile device (PDA or mobile phone) it does not require any special technical skills. This will make it possible for any "super User" to be able to set up a device without any intervention from the helpdesk support.
The deployment of the Movilizer client for mobile phones is triggered by a technical SMS. Average set up time: between 30 and 60 seconds, mainly depending on the bandwidth of the wireless connection.
Technically, the deployment of the Movilizer client for devices not having GSM/GPRS/3G capabilities (e.g. PDAs, TabletPCs or Laptops) is triggered via transmission of an installable file (*.cab, *.jar etc.) to the device via any channels that allows a simple file transfer (e-mail, ftp, Bluetooth, active sync etc.). Once on the device a double click automatically installs the Movilizer without any User interaction. Average set up time: around 30 seconds or less.

It does not require any end User training The Movilizer has been designed to be used not only by internal employees but also by externals (third parties, temporary staff or even the final Customer); in these scenarios training and change management are just not feasible. The application itself needs to be self explanatory. For this reason, the Movilizer is 100% process driven, and not information driven. The Movilizer works like a wizard. This means that the process is built in a sequence of screens. All the User needs to do is to read the information on the screen, eventually to capture data if relevant and to confirm with "OK" or to go back with "BACK". The User never has to decide between more than two options "BACK" or "OK".

It takes weeks to implement and you can do it yourself But most importantly: should the standard Movilizer for SAP CS template not meet 100% of your requirements, you can change or enhance it yourself. The entire mobile app is built in ABAP/4. The Movilizer does not require any client or middleware development. The mobile app business logic is 100% under your control in your SAP system. After 5 days Movilizer training, even a Junior ABAP developer can enhance any Movilizer template or even build completely new apps.

No Upfront Licenses You can use the Movilizer without purchasing any upfront licenses.

Monthly support fees (SaaS) In order to use the Movilizer all you pay is a monthly support fee for each live User (The monthly fee depends on the number of Users and scenario, but the range is normally between 15€ and 30€ per User per month). Third level support is included in the mentioned fee. First and Second level support can be purchased separately if wished (although this is typically something your IT department can do itself.
The Movilizer also offers the possibility to pay per executed transaction (rather than per User/month). This option is especially interesting if the purpose is to give your final Customer access to the Movilizer (E.g. they can create malfunction Notifications whenever an asset is not working rather than calling the service helpdesk). In this scenario the transaction based payment will probably be more competitive.

You are 100% in control of future changes and enhancements in the app. Since the entire business logic is in the backend, you are free to change the application whenever you require it. To add new fields, remove or add screens or change the flow of the mobile application you do not need any help from Movilitas. You can do it on your own with your own IT resources (all you need is ABAP/4 skills) without having to contact Movilitas any time you need changes in the mobile application.

The most flexible mobile app

The Movilizer is the most flexible mobile app for SAP CS in the market today.

Configuration instead of development (Movilizer customising in SPRO) The Movilizer for SAP CS has a set of customising features in SAP ERP transaction "SPRO", which allows you to adapt the template processes to your requirements with marginal developments (if any):

Movilizer for SAP CS is object oriented. We deliver a set of business processes, which you can adapt to the Technician roles within his enterprise. Each business process comprises a set of pre-delivered Business Steps. Each Business Step has its own customising.

The Movilizer for SAP CS also allows you to customise screen elements purely in SAP ERP (e.g. the menu items, its sequence, the corresponding screen icons, any of the labels displayed in the screens). No development on the mobile device is required.

The Movilizer for SAP CS allows you to adapt each process to the flow required for a dedicated role in the enterprise. E.g. an Inspection Technician has a different screen flow than a Maintenance Technician for planned maintenance.

It allows changing processes on the fly The Movilizer gives you the agility and flexibility to adapt to any changing requirements. You can add, delete or change any field or screen without any interruption to operations. The final Movilizer Users will not even realise it. The Movilizer combines the advantages of pure online applications (centralised software logistics, instantaneous deployment etc.) with the charm of offline applications.

You can create "mash-ups" (interfacing SAP with non-SAP) on the mobile device With the Movilizer you build your app like Lego. Our highly granular building blocks are called "Movelets" and allow you to interface any SAP Module (PM, MM etc.) and any non SAP application on the mobile device. For the mobile User, a single app. For your IT team, simple standardised Lego pieces easy to support and to further develop.

A mash up example in the screenshot above. A Microsoft Excel worksheet containing a simple survey can be embedded in the application flow of the normal execution of e.g. SAP orders. The completed survey is transferred from Movilizer back to the Microsoft Excel workbook. For the User, one single application. Technically two totally different apps: The SAP CS app containing the Work Order and the Microsoft Excel app containing the simple survey.

The Movilizer for SAP CS
Technology & Architectural Components


1   The Movilizer SAP Connector
   (for SAP CS)


The Movilizer SAP Connector uses the web service functionality of SAP. With SAP Basis Rel 7.0 SP14, the SAP web service functionality has been improved and the Movilizer SAP Connector package relies on these adjustments. The required minimum level to implement the delivered package containing the web service proxy is therefore NetWeaver 7.0 with SP 14 or later. Should your backend system not fulfill this requirement, the Movilizer SAP Connector components can be deployed in a distributed manner (one NetWeaver 7.0 system in your landscape is enough to enable the Movilizer to connect to any of your SAP older systems).


Besides this, no specific SAP ERP (PM/CS Modules) releases are required.



2   The Movilizer Cloud


It is a secured multitenant and hosted middleware with 99,9% guaranteed availability that can connect your SAP CS system with any mobile device by sending and receiving encrypted business data in both directions. For an IT responsible, the Movilizer Cloud means that you do not need to purchase or install any additional infrastructure (no middleware). For its use in ultra sensitive areas (e.g. maintenance in nuclear plants or in military equipments) the Movilizer supports "End to End encryption" based on military standard encryption algorithms AES or RC4 (from Movilizer version 1.7 onwards). The following components are accessible via secured connection through the Internet:


  • Monitoring / Admin Portal: You only use the Monitoring/Admin-Portal via the Internet to do technical monitoring of all your mobile Users. Normally you only use this Portal by exception (for trouble shooting purposes); most of the Movilizer Customers barely use it . The access to the Portal is protected via SSL, User/password and if requested also via fixed IP addresses.

  • Web Service: You use the Web Service to connect the Movilizer to any backend system you may use. The Web Service includes APIs for: Sending and assigning data to your mobile Users / Receiving captured data from the mobile Users / Monitoring and administrating the mobile landscape (e.g. creating Users etc.). The access to the WebService is protected via SSL, User/password and if requested also via fixed IP addresses.

3   The Movilizer Client


It is very small software (some few Kilobytes) written in different native languages (depending on the target device) capable of running on nearly any mobile phone, smart phone, PDA, Tablet PC, Netbook or Notebook. Please refer to http://www.movilizer.com/Supported_Devices/ for a complete list of supported devices.


The Movilizer client works online—offline. This means that you don't need connectivity to be able to work with it. The synchronisation can be triggered automatically in background, explicitly by the mobile User or based on a process step. The Movilizer uses the native User interface of your mobile phone or PDA.


The deployment of the Movilizer Client is done via SMS and is as easy as downloading a ringtone (average set up time is seconds). The Movilizer client works online—offline. This means that you do not need connectivity to be able to work with it. The synchronisation can be triggered automatically in background, explicitly by the mobile User or based on a process step.







 
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