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Mobile building inspection solution from IBM
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The goal
Improve reporting speed and accuracy
Need to improve building inspection processes and workforce productivity? Reporting capabilities with automated standard reporting processes can help improve the quality of your inspection reports. The mobile building inspection solution from IBM can provide access to building codes to improve reporting.

The advantage
Why IBM?
IBM has developed wireless solutions like the mobile building inspection solution for two decades—including extending work management systems to our own field mobile workers.
  • IBM offers an all-wireless line of products and services.
  • We offer end-to-end wireless solutions, including consulting, integration and operational services, as well as leading hardware and software.
  • Our customers are realizing competitive advantage, improved customer and constituent service and public safety, and an average 20%-30% productivity gains from wireless initiative projects.

The benefits
The right tools for your field inspectors
The mobile building inspection solution from IBM provides a mobile system for building inspection by providing handheld devices to field inspectors. These devices provide standard reporting tools and can be integrated into back-office applications to improve report usage.

The solution also provides:
  • Real time—wireless connectivity ensures that the inspection database system is updated with new inspections in real time.
  • Field access to previous inspection data—inspectors have instant access to data from previous inspections while out in the field.
  • Reduced redundant input—the inspection form only needs to be filled out once, instead of being hand-written by the inspector, then typed into the database by an administrator.
  • Standardized language—inspectors can use forms that feature standardized language for both questions and answer choices.
  • Field access to maps—inspectors can have instant, wireless access to maps that highlight a building's footprint to be inspected.
  • Convenient access to data for supervisors—supervisors can access raw inspection data from their desktops.
  • Easy creation of reports—supervisors can create professional, comprehensive reports quickly, without extensive training.
  • Automatic report creation—supervisors can have crucial reports run automatically on a daily or weekly basis.

We can provide a comprehensive analysis of your current and future mobile office requirements.

The approach
IBM helps NYC improve inspections
The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) recognized that it could greatly enhance the efficiency of its inspectors through wireless technology. Much of the inspection process was manual, and inspectors couldn't access all of the regulatory information they needed from the field. Furthermore, their handwritten reports had to be keyed into a central database—a slow process that could introduce errors.

The DOB called on IBM, a trusted, long-time technology partner, for help. Working together with mobile application provider LinksPoint of Norwalk, Connecticut, the team developed a prototype of a mobile application for building inspection reports. During a successful pilot, IBM estimated that the prototype could save time during inspections and improve inspection efficiency during an emergency.

The financial advantage
More accurate data at a lower cost
The mobile building inspection solution from IBM can help reduce overall inspection costs:
  • Reduce back-end redundant entry and associated costs by entering data only once.
  • Decrease errors and correction costs with automated standard language and a searchable version of the building code.
  • Cut operational costs, such as the number of trips to the office made by field inspectors.
  • Develop a more efficient inspection route for operational cost savings.