Context-aware developments could transform field service

IFS is using its product development think tank, IFS Labs, to explore the use of a context-aware beacon solution for field service delivery.

The company aims to connect next-generation, context-aware asset and equipment data capture with smart devices and beacon technology and is spearheading the project as part of its strategic commitment to leveraging transformative technology such as near-field communication (NFC) and Internet of Things (IoT).

The solution leverages wireless sensors mounted on the equipment that broadcast the location of the asset to smart devices. In effect, the sensors will tell service technicians what assets are in the immediate vicinity and, using the smartphone app, let technicians easily drill down in IFS Applications to access more information about the asset in question, such as open work orders and service history.

“We envision service technicians being able to use beacon-based solutions to communicate wirelessly with the sensors mounted on the machinery, feeding asset location data to the user’s mobile device,” IFS Labs Director Bas de Vos said.

“And since the system is location-aware, users only receive information about the relevant piece of equipment, driving efficiency and quality in processes such as maintenance, construction and warehouse management, among others.

“We are very excited about the possibilities of this solution, which we see could be extended into a route planning tool for assets further afield, or even equipped with speech recognition technology to drive further efficiencies,” said de Vos.