Hanheld Data Collection The integrated PDA-Database-Email technology allows Continental Pools supervisors to collect data from the field and dynamically create customer email reports with full text explanations.

Chicago, November 2004 / --
In the summer swimming season of 2004, supervisors at Continental Pools went into the field equipped with the latest in PDA technology. All 25 team members carried Palm devices installed with their new pool inspection software, designed by Chicago Software Solutions (CSS).

Continental Pools Incorporated, one of the premier east coast pool management companies, specializes in providing swimming pool staff, pool management, pool equipment and pool-related construction for a wide variety of clients. Prior to the 2004 summer season, pool supervisors in each region relied heavily on paper tracking, using carbon copy forms for onsite inspections. Looking to improve upon this process, Nick Lally, Vice President of Continental Pools contacted CSS for the development of a system that would use PDAs to track these inspections.

Lally was primarily looking for a more efficient way of collecting data and creating reports for these inspections. He wanted a system that would improve upon their current paper system in which surveys were hand written, clients received carbon-copy reports and only the crucial inspection results were entered into their central databases.

CSS and Continental Pools evaluated the current process and assessed the possible solutions, first deciding to implement the PDA system using Palm Zire 21's. These handheld assistants cost less than the printing of carbon copy forms over a year's period. They could be distributed to the field staff at a reasonable cost and Palm OS software would synchronize directly into the desktop SQL Server and Access databases.

After mapping out the high level design, CSS engineered a system that allowed the pool supervisors to quickly collect field information on their Palms and synchronize with a regional database every 2 days. With this new system in the field, hardware is compact, easy to use and makes the collection and reporting of inspections a simpler process.

Quick And Easy Data Entry All of the PDA forms exclusively utilize lists and checkboxes that are configurable from the desktop so field reps don't need to learn graffiti.

Paper to Digital Assistant

By switching to handheld devices, supervisors can automatically report on gathered data without manually re-entering it on the desktop. The new system generates automated reports after the supervisor synchronizes their PDA with the desktop.

In terms of presentation to the client, the pre-existing system was anything but polished. Notes and marks on reports were all hand-written. In the new system, the HTML email reports that are generated for clients neatly lay out information regarding staff at the location, the condition of the equipment on location, logging of pool rule concurrence and more. The report matches the company's corporate identity and is now emailed to clients after the supervisor Palms are synchronized with the office database.

Looking Forward

Continental Pools has taken the first step towards mobile collections via handheld devices. Because so much of their business is related to data collection in the field, this move to technology has opened the door to more improvements in efficiency.

Since using the digital system over a busy period of inspections, Continental Pools and CSS have had a chance to revisit the system and analyze its benefits as well as the opportunities to improving more field procedures. Both companies are now working together to enhance the system for the 2005 summer season.

About Chicago Software Solutions

Chicago Software Solutions is a full-service, custom software provider focused on improving business practices through technology. With experience in database applications, office tool customizations, Internet development and PDA applications, Chicago Software Solutions works closely with each client to provide the solutions they need.