No more spreadsheets
3 March 2022
Running a business can be made more difficult if managers have to rely on a multiplicity of systems and practices. However, Carter Accommodation, a specialist hirer of portable accommodation and welfare units, has streamlined its day-to-day management procedures by using programs and modules from MCS Rental Software.
The company has moved away from laborious and error-prone spreadsheets and manual processes, and brought its business operations under one umbrella, with a centralised data management system. This has led to improved customer service, better visibility of hire equipment, and the ability to work on the move with the power of mobile apps and web-based services.
Gary Shipp, Carter Accommodation’s IT manager says: “Historically, we had a massive reliance on spreadsheets which often meant that people had different versions of the same document, many of which would then be out of date.
“Now, with one single data source in MCS-rm, we can always trust that our information is correct and deliver a far more consistent service. RM Web takes this one step further, giving us a fast, easy, user-friendly way to see our data whilst not in the office. Any changes can be seen straight away, and it replaces the need for many of our previous spreadsheets.”
Carter Accommodation, which is based in King’s Lynn, also uses the MCS Resource Planner and Transport Mobile app.
“MCS Transport Mobile has given us much better visibility of our workers in the field and has made the entire process seamless,” says Gary. “We can now send out deliveries, collections, and services needed that day to our drivers using the app.
“Waste transfer notes are also instantly available to view in real-time in MCS-rm, along with any damage photos, and there is clear visibility of what jobs have been completed. It also means that we always get the required documentation back from my drivers, which can automatically trigger a job in the workshop for returned equipment.”
Similar efficiencies have been achieved in Carter Accommodation’s workshop management by using a special app.
“Since introducing Workshop Mobile (pictured below) into the business, we have been able to eliminate paper. We save hours each day, as previously, all paperwork had to be scanned into our computers which is now unnecessary.
“We have also seen substantial time-saving because the staff no longer need to come into the office to pick up any paperwork as they can access it all in MCS-rm. When a job has been finished, we love that we can see this instantly due to tickets being updated digitally.”
Picture above shows a Carter Accommodation project at British Sugar’s site in Wissington, Norfolk.
