We had the pleasure of sitting down with Peter Becher, the Process Area Owner at Krones, to delve into the remarkable journey of Krones with Resco.

Peter Becher, a key figure at Krones, shared insights into his role as the global responsible for the service system and process environment. Reflecting on his pivotal position, Peter states, “In the Resco and Salesforce environment, my role as a Process Area Owner is crucial in ensuring the seamless integration and efficiency of our service systems.”

The quest for a comprehensive field service management solution

As Krones embarked on a transition in their IT system environment, they found themselves in search of a robust solution for their field service management.

Krones explored various options. However, due to the specific need for advanced offline capabilities on certain operating systems, they opted to delve into the Resco and Salesforce combination.

Peter describes the turning point, stating, “The story of how we got to Resco was a bit strange, or mad, or surprising – that’s probably even better. Salesforce recommended us to talk to Resco about their offline capabilities on Windows devices.”

The mobility empowering over 1,500 technicians around the world

The journey, as Peter describes it, was “nothing short of spectacular”.

Within a span of four to five months, Krones delivered the pilot of subsidiary Salesforce Field Service in combination with Resco, setting the stage for a global rollout.

Commenting on the speed of implementation, he notes, “We changed a lot of things in the project approach, moving to a more agile environment.”

Currently, live on all continents, including North America, Krones boasts more than 1,500 service technicians using Resco Mobile CRM as their sole front end.

The success story of the rollout resonates not only in numbers but in the positive feedback received, emphasizing the solution’s usability for sales and service technicians alike.

“It’s really a big success story for our company,” Peter remarks.

Expanding horizons with Resco Inspections

Reflecting on the implementation journey, Peter highlights the flexibility and usability of the Resco solution. With an impressive 25 internal releases, the platform seamlessly integrated with Krones’ environment, proving to be a powerful tool for their service technicians.

The platform’s capability to minimize clicks and touches on smartphones aligns with the technicians’ preference for simplicity.

Recently, Krones expanded its Resco footprint by going live with Resco Inspections+. Peter describes this expansion as a strategic move to replace paper-based and report-based processes, “Resco, in the beginning, was a kind of solution for a challenge that we had – the offline capability for Windows devices. But the other possibility is moving more to that customer 360° view. That’s where we see a lot of possibilities around the Inspections.”

The inspections functionality, with its focus on condition assessment, guided procedures, and integrated processes aligns with Krones’ vision. Peter envisions leveraging checklists, assessments with scoring, automated workflows, and even generating leads or opportunities directly from Resco checklists, further improving their operational efficiency.

Looking to the future

As our conversation drew to a close, Peter expressed enthusiasm for the future collaboration between Krones and Resco. “The journey from our side has been amazing. We’re really looking forward to what we can do together,” he concludes.

The journey, marked by Resco’s continuous evolution from a solution for offline capability to a versatile development platform, exemplifies the tool’s adaptability to diverse business needs.

And Krones, a true hidden champion in the beverage industry, stands as a testament to the transformative power of mobile solutions for the frontline workers.

Príspevok How German manufacturing giant Krones uses mobility to empower 1,500+ technicians globally zobrazený najskôr Resco.

1. Automated document generation improves operational efficiency 

With findings from a Zapier study highlighting that a significant portion of workers spend hours daily on data-related tasks, the whitepaper underscores the critical need for document automation. By adopting automated document generation, organizations can save resources, minimize errors, and enhance productivity. 

2. Analysis of Microsoft and third-party tools 

The paper presents a guideline for using Microsoft’s native tools versus third-party solutions for document generation. While Microsoft tools offer the advantage of having one supplier, potentially reducing compatibility issues, they may lack the specialization and ease of use provided by third-party solutions specifically designed for document automation on Power Platform. 

3. Advantages of third-party add-ons 

Third-party add-ons bring customization, advanced features, scalability, rapid deployment, and dedicated support to the table. These solutions are built to address the evolving and complex needs of businesses, providing advanced functionalities that enhance Microsoft’s native options. 

4. Key considerations when choosing a solution  

The whitepaper emphasizes the importance of considering factors such as the procurement process, data storage and handling, additional data management costs, and potential performance issues when selecting a document generation solution. These considerations are vital for aligning with regulatory requirements, ensuring cost-effectiveness, and achieving desired operational efficiencies. 

5. Highlight on Resco Docs+ 

Among the third-party solutions, Resco Docs+ stands out for its integrated Document designer, offering a no-code, point-and-click environment for template creation. Its performance, ease of use, and mobile application compatibility make it an ideal choice for organizations seeking reliable and complex document generation capabilities. 

In conclusion, the whitepaper serves as a comprehensive guide for organizations navigating the complexities of document generation on the Power Platform. By evaluating the pros and cons of Microsoft and third-party tools and considering essential selection criteria, businesses can make informed decisions that will aid them in their document automation efforts. 

Príspevok Document generation in Microsoft Power Platform [5 key takeaways from the latest whitepaper]   zobrazený najskôr Resco.

This blog delves into four key tips drawn from his seasoned experience shared during the recent resco.NEXT 2023 conference. The story of Tom and Fearless Leader solutions can help other ISV partners envision a roadmap to crafting successful business solutions.

The story of Fearless Leader

A decade ago, Tom embarked on a journey to transform sales solutions in the food and beverage industries. As the owner and managing director of Avento at the time, Tom initiated the development of what would later become Fearless Leader.

Born from this vision, Fearless Leader now helps to fulfill the needs of frontline workers such as sales representatives, inspectors, and medical professionals. It integrates mobile capabilities within the framework of Microsoft and Resco technologies, benefiting not only frontline workers but also their managers and back-office users.

Over the years, the solution has acquired a user community of over 1,500 individuals across 45 customers in Belgium and beyond. In the preceding year, Avento was acquired by Cegeka, and the company’s scope widened to pharma and medical industries.

Cegeka has also achieved the 2023/2024 Microsoft Business Applications Inner Circle award, placing it among the top 1% of Microsoft’s worldwide partners.

With these achievements under his belt, Tom Moortgat’s experience serves as a guide on crafting successful micro-vertical solutions combining Resco and Microsoft business tools. Let’s delve into his insights shared at resco.NEXT 2023 conference.

Love watching more than reading? Watch the full Tom Moortgat’s session from resco.NEXT 2023 to learn about his experience. 

1. Begin with the user in mind

When constructing business applications, Tom emphasizes the pivotal role of user-friendliness and simplicity, “What’s “important about solutions that you build for customers is how easy it is to use them. It’s a top argument. It must be very easy to use.”

It’s no coincidence that the key phase of development began even before the idea of Fearless Leader was born. “We started talking to the market while building the solution,” Tom remarked. Armed with a tablet, he initiated conversations with sales managers at industry fairs and conferences to gain knowledge about their needs.

From that point, the focus on user-friendliness became a cornerstone in the journey of constructing efficient and impactful business applications.

Fearless Leader has an interface made for easy navigation, ensuring that all users, regardless of their technical expertise, can integrate the solution into their daily tasks. “It has to be helpful for the person who uses it every day, every morning to the evening and not just for management with their reporting,” Tom asserted.

2. Don’t forget about offline, even in 2024

In an era dominated by 5G discussions, Tom remains an advocate for offline functionality despite seemingly abundant 4G and 5G connection, “We are in the year 2023 [at the time of conference] and offline is still the topic. Who would have thought of that?”

He illustrates the practical necessity of offline functionality in certain industries, such as food and beverage with supermarkets providing only limited connectivity.

“If you go into a supermarket, there are now solar panels on the roof, but there is no 4G or 5G connection yet. Maybe that will change a bit in the future, but often there is no connectivity as soon as you walk into a supermarket,” he explains.

For sales representatives operating in such environments, it would mean a challenging user experience and an inability to fulfill their work.

During his presentation, Tom emphasized the necessity of the right combination of tools and platforms to achieve seamless offline functionality. It’s a field where Resco and Microsoft complement each other. “We can have Dynamics 365 and SharePoint connected, and Resco takes it all offline. That’s very good and future proofed,” Tom noted.

And it’s the futureproofing of the solution that makes another important topic in Tom’s presentation.

3. Opt for flexible development

Tom draws attention to the challenges faced by traditional, custom-developed apps, particularly when dealing with supporting every new iOS update or device.

“We have replaced many apps that were built previously. Why? Because at a certain point, those apps didn’t work on the new iOS anymore,” he noted.

This observation underscores the obsolescence and escalating costs associated with custom-developed applications. That’s where systems and tools like Microsoft Power Platform and Resco Mobile App Development Toolkit provide solutions for ISV partners.

Mobile App Development Toolkit makes customization easy, eliminating the need for complex coding or ongoing maintenance. This ensures that the ISV partner can adapt and improve their solutions without the hassle of constant maintenance.

As Tom positioned it, “What we did was we made one solution compatible for all those industries – food, beverage, pharma, medical – which makes it very interesting for us for maintenance and support because it’s one whole system. It’s configurable for a food person as well as a pharma person.”

New device support is especially important for ensuring seamless experience for frontline workers. “For instance, many sales reps use their smartphone with their calendar in their car to check the visits that they have to do that day. It’s connected to Waze and then as soon as they go into the supermarket, they have a tablet, and they continue their work with it as the app runs the same on any device.”

Tom underlines the economic advantage for clients, stating, “For them, it’s important that they take the licenses, a few days of work training, but they don’t have to buy new hardware.” This cost-efficient approach positions no-code / low-code development tools as a powerful ally for ISV partners, enabling them to provide future-proof solutions without imposing significant financial burdens on their clients.

4. Leverage advanced functionality

The incorporation of Azure Maps, Google Maps, and Resco technology stands out as a key functionality in Fearless Leader, allowing sales representatives to optimize their routes and maximize their efficiency.

In a live demonstration, Tom showcased how this technology translates into tangible time savings and increased visit capacity. “The sales reps must plan their day and they must do that very effectively. It’s the only result that counts,” he emphasized during the presentation.

Additionally, Tom highlights the flexibility to add languages upon request, ensuring adaptability to the specific linguistic needs of different markets.

Fearless Leader goes beyond language barriers with its comprehensive multilingual support. Tom notes, “We use all languages by default, English, French, Dutch, German, and we also now have Italian in it.” This inclusivity allows the solution to cater to a diverse frontline workforce.

“And there’s reporting, of course, behind it. You want to know as a manager ‘where are my guys? How many visits did they do? Is our assortment delivered?’ So the reporting is there as well,” explained Tom, listing several new features used by Fearless Leader during the presentation.

In conclusion

Tom’s journey with Fearless Leader provides multiple important insights for ISVs: Keep it simple, don’t forget offline, go for flexible development, and spice it up with the latest features.

Think of these tips as your roadmap to cook up successful solutions for the unsung heroes – the frontline workers. If you are hungry for more insights, watch selected sessions from the resco.NEXT 2023 conference for free, and get ready for the 2024’s event edition coming to Vienna.

Príspevok 4 tips to master industry-specific software solutions as an ISV: Insights from Tom Moortgat zobrazený najskôr Resco.

The collaboration between Resco and Microsoft is a testament to such digital integration’s power.

Previously, we explored how the fusion of Resco and Azure Custom Vision’s AI digitized health and safety processes in the construction and oil & gas industry.

Now, let’s shift our focus from safety inspections to field service and equipment recognition.

The use case: Equipment recognition in field service

Efficient equipment recognition is a critical aspect of field service operations.

Technicians need to identify and validate various equipment pieces swiftly and accurately, whether for maintenance, repair, or replacement purposes.

This process often relies on manual documentation or memory, leading to potential errors and delays. But now you can combine Resco (including the new Power Platform solutions) and Azure Custom Vision to create a faster and more comfortable solution for frontline workers.

The solution: Smart forms and AI working together

Field technicians can employ mobile forms in Resco Inspections+ or the newly announced Resco Forms+ to capture images and details of equipment on-site, creating a comprehensive visual database.

This solution enables inspectors to collect and evaluate data digitally. Technicians can fill out information about work progress or create reports without needing to rewrite data or use desktop devices.

All data is synced with the core databases of organizations thanks to native integration with Microsoft’s platforms and data management tools, including Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Dataverse.

Integrating Azure Custom Vision’s AI empowers workers to automatically identify and classify equipment, eliminating the guesswork and significantly enhancing efficiency.

For example, if they find a defective part, they can easily document it with a photo and quickly secure a replacement. No time is wasted searching for the correct part, as the system performs this task automatically.

This technology can also be used for other questions, like looking up items in a product list. If the captured image matches a tag in the pre-trained model, it becomes the answer. This saves time and ensures accuracy in various field service tasks.

Technical integration: Synergy of Resco and Azure Custom Vision

Let’s assume you’ve already pre-trained your Custom Vision model for the image recognition of various spare parts typical for your industry.

Accordingly, you’ve also established a link between this model and your mobile project in Woodford. You’ve also created an existing questionnaire template used during technician visits to monitor assets (e.g., elevators in our case). If not, find the steps to do this in our documentation.

Now, let’s find out how to leverage custom vision to identify and find a missing part in a lookup view.

Imagine that during your site visit, you find out that some parts are subject to corrosion. You must photo-document the defects and simultaneously secure the supply of new spare parts.

Compliance with all technical prerequisites and picking up the proper production types and models are mandatory. You’re already capturing the defective part, why not speed up the process?

Use the “image recognition” question format in Questionnaire Designer to capture the spare part. If the captured image matches a tag in the pre-trained model, the tag’s name becomes the output answer.

This outcome may be applied to other questions as well, such as a lookup question pointing to the product list in our case.

If there exists any product with the name matching the recognized tag, the lookup is automatically filled in with detected part. No other data input from the technician operative is necessary.

Why it matters

Operational agility: Instant recognition optimizes equipment-related tasks, enabling technicians to take informed actions.

Enhanced productivity: Real-time evaluation and automatic recognition saves time for field technicians, boosting overall efficiency. At the same time, it saves them a mental capacity needed for remembering or finding the correct equipment.

Compliance and records: Digital data collection, paired with visual documentation, strengthens data integrity and regulatory compliance for field service organizations.

Code-free integration: The native integration with Microsoft platforms and no-code development enables IT teams, consultants, and partners to seamlessly leverage digital forms and AI’s advantages without spending resources on coding and maintenance.

Conclusion: AI as the booster of efficiency

The solution combining Resco and AI enables technicians to scan and recognize equipment efficiently through image recognition, bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms.

This capability not only accelerates workflow but also ensures accuracy and consistency in equipment identification.

But the combination of AI recognition and mobile forms isn’t just limited to equipment recognition.

It can be an accelerator of processes in various fields:

Inventory management: To streamline retail and warehouse operations by scanning and cataloging products accurately, reducing errors, and optimizing restocking processes.

Quality control: Enhance quality assessments in manufacturing by automatically identifying and categorizing product defects, increasing accuracy.

Retail and e-commerce: Simplify product searches for shoppers by allowing image-based product identification, making the shopping experience more efficient.

Healthcare: To improve patient data capture and medical image tagging for healthcare professionals, simplifying data retrieval and analysis.

If you’re intrigued by the prospects of integrating Microsoft business apps with Resco mobility, reach out for more information.

Príspevok How Resco and AI offer faster, more accurate equipment recognition in field service zobrazený najskôr Resco.

In today’s digital age, technology provides multiple ways of automating and simplifying work tasks.

And the latest accelerator of frontline work transformation is AI.

A recent study shows that 65% of frontline workers believe that AI is their ally. They envision a future where technology can lighten their load and amplify their impact.

The collaboration between Resco and Microsoft exemplifies the potential of such digital integration.

This article looks at how Resco Inspections+ and AI in Azure Custom Vision can digitize health and safety processes for the construction industry. And the resulting solution provides benefits in terms of speed and accuracy of safety inspections.

The use case: Safety inspections on worksites

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Inspections are a common and important part of several industries. Helmets, goggles, or protective clothing are all part of mandatory equipment in oil & gas or construction industry.

It helps workers prevent injuries and mitigate safety hazards. But it is also important for organizations, as it helps them ensure safety and comply with regulations.

For example, one of the biggest OSHA fines in 2022 included penalty for failing to provide eye and head protection on a construction site. The fine totaled $321,956. The risk of work injuries on oil & gas rigs is even higher, making it critical to use new tools for safety improvement.

PPE inspections are often done with pen and paper, which creates a risk of losing or damaging the reports. Some field workers use spreadsheets that aren’t integrated with the core backend systems of organizations. This creates extra manual work for workers and it’s a complex task for organizations to keep all documents in order for years.

The solution: Mobile forms and AI that automate tasks

Mobile forms in Inspections+ enable inspectors to collect and evaluate data digitally. Inspectors can take notes, photos, or videos on site, providing visual proof of health and safety measures. 

The native connection to Dataverse, Dynamics, or Power Platform allows inspectors to sync data in real-time with their organization’s main database. Doing so mitigates data silos and allows organizations to set up a single source of truth.

The AI can automate and optimize related processes. For example, it can make evaluation of workers wearing protective equipment quick and error-free.

The integration: Technical part of integrating Inspections+ and Azure Custom Vision

The integration allows users to classify images in questionnaires or entity forms using Azure’s Custom Vision service. It requires an Azure Custom Vision subscription and at least one model for classifying images.

It is necessary to pre-train this model prior to use in the mobile app. The main steps for setting up Custom Vision include creating a new project, selecting project types and classification types, and obtaining the prediction URL.

You can read more about the process in the technical documentation.

The connection to Azure services itself is set up in Woodford. You can do so by adding a new model definition with all the necessary information in the ‘Settings: AI Image recognition’ section.

Once the training and setup are complete, users can utilize image recognition in questions, views, and forms. It allows them to scan images and match them to specific fields or records.

The entity where image recognition is to be used, must include a string field with barcode formatting on. For example, you can add a row button to the form that uses the ‘Scan Image’ step. Then, simply fill in the value or find the record you are looking for in a lookup view.

Another use case of how you can leverage the custom vision service is to answer questions in questionnaires directly. To do so, you can use the ‘image recognition’ question type.

If the captured image matches the tag in the pretrained model (with a probability above a customizable threshold), the tag’s name serves as the question output. You can apply this result to the other questions (e.g., string fields or lookups) and build your questionnaire business logic based on the tags.

POV: A health & safety inspector with Resco and AI at hand

Let’s have a look at one real-life scenario where technicians cannot start their duties until the safety standards are met.

The legal requirement states that until the protective equipment is not demonstrably present and documented, the mobile worker can’t begin the inspection on a worksite.

You can easily achieve this by integrating Inspections+ and AI in Custom Vision service. The upcoming release will enable this option even for Power Platform.

A technician simply takes a picture of his or her protective equipment at the beginning of the work order process.

The picture will be automatically attached to the documentation and well represented in the overall report. Only after taking the picture and detecting all the required safety protection (e.g., helmet in this case), the operative can proceed with the inspection.

Why it matters:

Real-time safety: Instant safety evaluation means workers can start their work faster and without a burden of administrative tasks. Organizations can also ensure compliance according to OSHA policy.

Audit trail and compliance: Digital data collection and the combination of photographic documentation, signed reports, and cloud storage ensure data integrity and easier document storage. 

Digital data collection: Real-time evaluation, inspections scoring, and elimination of data rewriting will help save inspectors’ time. 

No-code integration: A fast solution for ISV partners, consultants, and internal IT teams to incorporate the benefits of Inspections+, Power Platform, and AI technology without lengthy and expensive development.

Conclusion

That’s the showcase on Resco and Custom Vision joining forces. Quick photos, AI analysis, improved health and safety – all for a safer oil & gas rigs or construction sites. It’s tech that works for the frontline workforce, without the hassle. 

Príspevok Keeping worksites safe: How Resco and AI enhance safety inspections zobrazený najskôr Resco.

You can enable your field workers to collect data and perform their tasks faster and error-free using guided workflows everywhere, even offline.

This article will show you how to start a free trial to experience Inspections+ in a few minutes.

Table of contents:

1. Starting Inspections+ trial
2. Getting Inspections+ app
3. Basic operation of Inspections+
   • Step 1. Create a checklist
   • Step 2. Answer the checklist
   • Step 3. Check the results of the answered checklist　

Starting Inspections+ trial

Access the Inspections+ trial request form.

Enter the following information:

• First Name, Last Name: Enter your name. This name will be the login username in the trial environment.
• Business e-mail, Phone Number: Enter a valid e-mail address and phone number. You will receive a confirmation email after the trial environment is acquired.
• Company Name: Enter your company name. This name will be used as the name of the trial environment.
• Country: Select your country of residence.
• “I have read and agree with RESCO Privacy Notice and RESCO Terms and Conditions.” check box: Read the RESCO Privacy Notice and RESCO Terms of Conditions and check the box.
• Advanced options: If checked, you can choose the location of the server (Europe or USA). You can also skip this step without checking the box.

After entering all the information, click the ‘Start your trial’ button. Setup of the trial environment will begin.

After waiting a few minutes, you will be taken to the main screen of Inspections+. From this screen, you can access all functions of Inspections+.

At the same time, you will receive an email confirming the completion of the trial environment creation. The following login information will be included in the email.

• URL of the trial environment, Organization (organization name of the trial environment), Username, E-mail

Click the ‘Start here’ button in the email and set a password to log in to the trial environment.

Click ‘Reset Password’ and wait a few seconds, then you will be redirected to the main screen of resco.Inspections.

This completes the setup of the trial environment.

Getting Inspections+ app

The next time you access the trial environment, go to the URL provided in the email and log in with your username (email address) and password.

Next, install the mobile app to connect to Resco from your mobile device.

The following platforms are supported:

• iOS10+
• Android 5+
• Windows 10+
• Wear OS 2.0+

Click the links above to find the app.

Or access the app store for your device, search for “Resco Inspections” and install the app.

Basic operation of Inspections+

Step 1. Create a checklist

In Inspections+, you can easily create a checklist using the Questionnaire Designer.

First, access the Inspections+ trial environment and open the Questionnaire Designer.

You will be redirected to the Questionnaire Designer screen. You can create and edit checklists in this screen.

A sample checklist is placed in the center of the screen.

Let’s create a simple checklist.

Click ‘New Questionnaire’.

A wizard will open for the initial setup of the new checklist. Here, leave the default values unchanged and click ‘CREATE’ in the lower right corner.

The checklist edit screen will open.

How to edit

First, let’s change the title of the checklist.

Double-click on the words “New Questionnaire” to edit the text.

Then, add the components of the checklist.

Parts can be selected from the list on the left.

Types of the components

Static Components: Items that cannot be edited by respondents. You can add images, descriptions, links, etc.

Questions: Items that respondents can enter values for. You can add questions in a variety of formats, including text, multiple choices, numbers, dates, images, etc.

Group: Group multiple items together. This is useful when you want to separate checklists for easier viewing or when you want to enter the same question repeatedly.

Hover over each item and click ‘More Info…’ in the displayed message to go to the Resco Wiki (English site) for a detailed explanation.

Let’s add an item to be answered in text format.

1. Click ‘Text’ in the list on the left
2. A Text item will be added in the center. Edit the value as you like

• Text: Enter the text of the question
• Add Description: Enter a supplementary description of the question
• Default value: Enter the initial value of the answer
• Maximum Length: Specify the maximum length of the answer

Once entered, click the ‘Save’ button in the upper left corner of the screen to save the data.

Click ‘Preview Form’ on the toolbar at the top of the screen to preview the saved checklist.

Follow the same procedure to add items of your choice to the checklist and save.

When you have finished editing, click ‘Save & Close’ in the upper left corner of the screen to close the editing screen.

The checklist you created is displayed in the center of the screen. Click to select it and click ‘Activate’ on the toolbar.

The status of the checklist will change from ‘DRAFT’ to ‘ACTIVE’, allowing users to answer from their mobile apps.

Step 2. Answer the checklist

Open and answer the checklist in the Inspections+ mobile app.

First, launch the app.

The quick introduction screen will appear.

After reading the function introduction screen, the login screen will appear.

Enter the following information:

• User Mode = Standard User
• URL = URL of the environment *URL that was included in the e-mail you received when you acquired the trial environment.

(Example: https://[environment name].app.[us or eu].resco.net/)

• Username, Password = email address and password you registered when you obtained the trial environment
• Save Password = ON

After entering the information, click the ‘Sync’ button in the upper right corner. After a short wait, the application selection screen will open.

Select ‘Inspector’.

The home screen for field workers will open.

Select ‘Templates’ from the home screen.

You will see a list of checklists that you can answer. Scroll down and you will find the checklists created in the previous step. Other checklists are data for demonstration purposes.

For example, “Quality Assurance” is a checklist you can try.

Open the checklist you created.

Enter your answers and click the hamburger button (三) in the upper right corner. Select ‘Complete’.

You can also try our product tours to see how the Questionnaire Designer and Inspections+ mobile app work in your browser without installing any software.

Step 3: Check the results of the answered checklist

In Inspections+, you can view and export the results of the answered checklists in the Results Viewer.

Select ‘Results Viewer’ in the center of the Inspections+ screen.

The Results Viewer will be launched.

A list of checklists that have been answered is displayed in the center of the screen.

Select one of the checklists, and the results of your answer will be displayed on the right side of the screen.

The menu on the left side of the screen allows you to filter the results. Also, select the ‘Export’ button at the top of the screen to export the response results data.

This completes the basic operation of Resco Inspections+.

More information about how to use Inspections+

Looking for more information? Watch a webinar on how to create a good questionnaire.

Príspevok Increase your field workforce productivity with Resco Inspections+ zobrazený najskôr Resco.

HG Technology, a Resco partner that specializes in cloud-based business solutions, has faced a similar challenge.

As a Microsoft Silver Partner, it uses the full Microsoft 365 suite to help clients with digital transformation. The company creates tailored systems that enhance its clients’ business operations. These include inspection software, data and document management, and bespoke applications.

When the HG Technology’s team realized its construction industry client’s workers were still using paper reports during routine inspections, they wanted to help them improve this process. So, they looked for a digital solution.

That’s when they found Resco Inspections+.

In this interview, Millie Beere, Product Manager at HG Technology, shares how Inspections+ improved the client’s inspection process, saving time and money.

When you looked for a digital solution, why did you choose Resco instead of similar solutions available?

At HG Technology, we primarily use the Microsoft suite to provide cloud-based business solutions. So, when we learned that Resco’s products were also cloud-based and could be integrated with Microsoft applications, we knew Resco would fit perfectly with our company ethos. We saw it had the potential to enhance our client’s operations.

Resco offers an out-of-the-box app that’s ready for implementation. To what extent did you customize it to match your clients’ needs? 

One of our main customers is in the construction and aggregate industry. For this client, Inspections+ didn’t suit the business’ needs straight out of the box. So, we customized existing entities to better store equipment data. Specifically, we wanted to present this information in a Tree format with which client users were comfortable.

How did you go about this customization?

First, we customized the Asset entity so that it was suitable to store equipment data. This primarily involved creating new fields. 

We also customized the Tree entity so that it replicated the existing equipment configuration. This meant the equipment was stored in a structure that the users were familiar with. The Tree entity now builds itself and maintains its structure when new equipment data is brought across from an external platform.

To import equipment data into Inspections+ and constantly keep it up to date, we used Microsoft Power Automate and SharePoint lists. We then integrated them with Inspections+. The purpose was to export and store completed questionnaires, inspections, and audits. This way, our client can now view live equipment data from within the Inspections mobile application.

The client can now use the application to access the relevant inspections and reports anytime. This integration works fully automated; the client can extract completed reports and store the PDFs in a SharePoint document library. That can be helpful for future reference and external auditing. 

Did you also make any other customizations of the app?

Yes, we have also made several customisations to questionnaire templates to help our clients get the most out of their inspections. For example, we have implemented ‘Fault Notifications’, which notify the managers on the client’s side when an inspector picks up on an issue on-site. This notification informs managers of the fault, its location, and whether it has been resolved.

In addition, we have also implemented calculated fields, as inspectors often need to enter a range of measurements. Thanks to our customized rule, the questionnaire generates an average of these measurements.

You mentioned integrations with Power Automate and SharePoint. Have you integrated Inspections+ with any other Microsoft applications?

Being a Microsoft Silver Partner, we’ve encountered a few scenarios where a client has benefited from such integrations. Apart from integrating Power Automate and SharePoint, we have also implemented a Microsoft Power BI dashboard directly into Inspections+. 

Our client wanted to view department-specific data at the drop of a hat. It included data such as how many inspections have been completed in the current month, which pieces of equipment have been inspected, and so on.

In our solution, the Power BI dashboard uses the data stored in Resco to provide interactive and drill-down dashboards. This integration allowed our client’s users to manage their team’s performance quickly and effectively.

As a result, our client’s data is more secure and easier to navigate. It also prevents users from having to sort through large amounts of information to find what they are looking for. And we can choose which users can view what data. These are just a few benefits of being able to create unique app configurations.

To better understand your clients’ context, can you tell us more about their industries, use cases, and how the solution helps them?

As I mentioned, we have worked with a client from the construction and aggregate industries to implement Inspections+.

Before implementing Resco for this client, its users conducted routine inspections using pen and paper. They often couldn’t find the time to create digital copies of these inspection reports, which resulted in misplaced inspections. 

Going digital has allowed our client to run inspections from the users’ mobile devices. They can do so anywhere, anytime, and whether they are online or without access to the internet.

We also learned that the aggregate industry experiences routine external audits. 

For these audits, they must provide data from their routine equipment inspections. But as inspectors often lost their paper reports with no digital copies, they couldn’t always provide auditors with the data they required.

After implementing Inspections+, and integrating SharePoint, all their digital inspections are exported and stored in SharePoint automatically. 

Can you give an example of any quantifiable benefits that using Resco solutions brought to your client?

Before going digital, our client’s inspectors used to spend several hours a week in the office typing up their paper reports. Sometimes this didn’t get done, and the process was incredibly time-consuming.

Now, they’re able to save that time, as they complete inspections much faster. Plus, the inspections are more likely to be done. Their work is much more efficient.

Which Resco features do your customers find most useful? 

We have found the Tree entity to be very beneficial to the aggregate industry. Our client users store their equipment in a system called SAP, so they appreciate we have been able to replicate this structure in Inspections+. Now, inspectors can follow the familiar layout to find the piece of equipment they are inspecting.

Thanks to the Tree structure, inspectors can easily find the questionnaires associated with each piece of equipment. That’s another feature we have found useful. It avoids incorrect inspections being conducted, saving the users valuable time.

Being able to capture an image when inspecting is also very beneficial. Now, when an issue arises, inspectors can just take a picture and tag the image with the relevant information.

As users usually take images when an issue occurs, we have also set up a notification system informing managers of any faults that arise. As a result, the client can now resolve faults quicker and with less machine downtime.

You just mentioned a few of your clients’ favorite features. What are the best features from your point of view?

Firstly, the ability to create department-specific app projects means users don’t get overwhelmed. They only see relevant inspection information. This is both secure and timesaving. 

Secondly, being able to set up notifications is another important feature. The main purpose of conducting inspections is keeping on top of what is or isn’t working. That’s why being able to notify certain members of the team when a problem occurs means issues get resolved much quicker.

Thirdly, we’ve found that inspectors are often without internet access throughout the day. Therefore, being able to access inspections whilst offline is very beneficial. It increases the likelihood of inspections being conducted.

Do you plan to further scale your Resco solution or try other Resco products in different scenarios in the future?

Absolutely. We are always looking for new Resco clients and hope to expand our skill-set as we go. In 2021 we branched out and started networking in the Middle East—we see great potential and hope to expand our clientele in this industry. 

Would you recommend Resco to other companies?

I would recommend Resco to businesses that conduct inspections regularly. Especially to those who haven’t yet digitized their inspections.

By working with a Resco partner, implementing the solution can require only minor work. It can help businesses conduct inspections anywhere, anytime, from their workers’ mobile devices.

Príspevok How HG Technology improves its clients’ inspections and audits thanks to Resco zobrazený najskôr Resco.

Resco Steps+ serves as a practical tool for gathering and maintaining knowledge, enabling employees to access work instructions seamlessly and standardize processes. As a reliable helping hand, it empowers users with the information they need at their fingertips.

While the creation process still requires some manual work, a dedicated AI team within resco.Labs has been actively exploring the advancements in AI technology. This has led to an idea for simplifying the process of creating work instruction guides just by leveraging user descriptions.

We talked to Matej Končal, developer, about the process of implementing AI within Steps+ for the generation of work instructions and benefits that comes with it. 

In this article, you will find out: 

• more about the idea of ​​generating guides with AI 
• how it works 
• the benefits of AI generated digital guides 
• what’s next

Simplifying work instructions

The idea to implement AI into Steps+, freeing our customers from the manual creation of work instructions, began during brainstorming sessions by the AI team at resco.Labs. This initiative aims to drive the process to the next level and transform the way work instructions are generated. 

Currently, if a user wants to create a work instruction guide, there are several manual steps that must be followed. However, there is a way to skip these manual steps by integrating AI with Steps+. This can limit many human errors, easily standardize the form of work instructions, and more importantly, it saves a significant amount of time for users, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks. 

How AI generates work instruction guides 

Thanks to this idea, users no longer have to think about how to structure clear and easy-to-understand instructions.

Let’s have a look at how it will appear in practice and generate a guide for the Lockout-Tagout process, a safety method used to ensure that the hazardous equipment is correctly shut off. 

Users simply need to click a single button and provide a description of the information they want the guide to contain. In this case, we are simply requesting a Lockout-Tagout guide consisting of five steps. 

In response, a draft guide is automatically generated, providing a solid foundation.  

Users can then make additional edits, tailoring the guide to their specific needs. This approach empowers users to create an outline in their own words, freeing them from the limitations of standardized structures and supporting a more personalized and flexible guide creation process. 

How is this possible? The foundation lies in the way our guides are stored in a JSON database structure, which allows for flexibility and easy manipulation of the data. Leveraging the power of OpenAI, our AI team is working hard to implement its API, making it an ideal tool for our guide creation process. 

Beyond just user input, this system goes a step further by tapping into ChatGPT’s own extensive knowledge base. This knowledge base acts as a valuable resource, providing plenty of information that the system can draw upon. By accessing this knowledge base, the system can leverage its own “creativity” and generate helpful suggestions. 

Combining user input with ChatGPT’s own knowledge allows for a more comprehensive and insightful guide creation process. The system not only considers the user’s specific instructions but also includes its own understanding and context, resulting in more accurate and valuable suggestions.

This interaction between user input and the ChatGPT’s knowledge base improves the overall guide creation experience, ensuring that the generated guides are informative and tailored to meet the user’s needs. 

More ideas on the way 

Powered by AI, Steps+ saves time, simplifies the creation process, and collaborates with intelligent suggestions. But that’s not all. There is more to look forward to. At Resco, we are continuously exploring additional ways to integrate AI into our products, aiming to further improve customer experiences and simplify their lives. 

Discover Resco Steps+ 

To find out more, visit the Steps+ landing page and start a free trial.

Príspevok Generating work instructions with the power of ChatGPT in Resco Steps+ zobrazený najskôr Resco.

The operation of ScaleAQ is so complex it needs tailor-made software. The field engineers rely on it when they do regular maintenance and inspection. The information they gather is integrated with finance, supply chain management, and other data.

From pen and paper to a robust software solution

ScaleAQ has been on the market for 40 years and started out using pen and paper.

The company owns a lot of internal equipment – forklifts, welding machines, etc. These assets need weekly or monthly service. As you can imagine, paper documents sometimes got damaged or even disappeared.

Christian Våge, Team Lead Electro/Automation, ScaleAQ, explains that they started to inspect their assets in 2017 with the help of Resco.
“We quickly saw the benefit and added customer equipment as well,” says Mr. Våge.

Inspecting the fish pens

Now they use Resco Field Service+ along with Inspections+ to inspect the fish pens too. Field engineers sail in small boats and fill in the inspection forms directly at sea. Resco Field Service+ mobile app, fully integrated with Dynamics 365, allows field engineers to work on any device, even with low or no internet connection.

A lot of maintenance work needs to be done on each recurring inspection. Sometimes the inspection is not finished in one go, and the engineers need to make a second visit. There can be different people on each visit. Information needs to be passed on.

Resco Inspections+ allow the field engineers to access the questions that have already been answered. All the answers are reused, only the ones they need to focus on are highlighted.

The technician does not need to reenter questions that have already been entered. It speeds up the inspection, saves time, and increases efficiency.

Data collected during the inspections are securely stored on the mobile device thanks to Resco’s signature offline capability and synced with MS Dynamics once the field engineer becomes online again. Once synced, the documents are stored on SharePoint and also at a customer portal, where customers can review them.

Assembling the fish pens

ScaleAQ has built many fish pens over the years. They come in different specifications, and many of them are unique. When they are being assembled, they demand a unique inspection every time. The inspections must be carried out with the correct template of questions.

To make it easy for the field workers, Resco mobile app pulls out the data about each pen from product cards stored in MS Dynamics and builds an inspection questionnaire dynamically. This process guarantees each asset is inspected with the right inspection template and questions.

Moreover, the questions dynamically change based on the answers that are already given.

Everyone can rest assured the collected data is relevant to the specific asset. This increases the quality and accuracy of the data. Accurate data account for better decisions that lead to the competitive advantage of ScaleAQ. The data is subsequently analyzed in the back office.

And when the pens are being moved between locations, field engineers see the exact info they need to assemble them.

Back-office workers do not need coding skills to put together responsive questionnaires and analyze the outcomes. They can take advantage of the Inspections+ no-code capabilities.

All data in one system

As ScaleAQ grew, its partner seamlessly integrated it with Dynamics 365 Sales and Customer Service. They have incorporated other back-office systems as well.

All the company data is created and stored in one ecosystem. This way, ScaleAQ avoids data silos and makes sure all the employees and vendors are on the same page.

Sustainability

ScaleAQ has overcome many hurdles thanks to its robust software solution. The biggest challenge at the moment is the state of the ocean and the fish. That’s why they promote circular aquaculture and are focused on sustainability.

With the Green Platform Project SirkAQ, they are developing solutions to reuse, repair and extend the life of plastic from fish farming equipment and to use recycled materials in new products.

Thanks to technology, they have a detailed overview of all the processes. That helps with good management of resources and sustainable operations.

After all, there can be no aquaculture without a clean ocean and healthy fish.

Field service+

Resco Field Service+ with Inspections+ help companies to become more efficient and sustainable – not only in aquaculture but also in manufacturing, property maintenance, or the energy sector.

If you got interested in the ScaleAQ story, in how they use advanced mobility to drive efficiency, and you’d like to explore how it can benefit your business, book a demo with us, and we’ll provide you all answers and tailored consultation.

Príspevok ScaleAQ makes fish-farming more efficient thanks to advanced mobility zobrazený najskôr Resco.

Trevor Metcalf, our Marketing Manager from Resco North America, attended the event and shared his insights on the top five trends observed at Intersolar 2023.

This blog post will delve into these trends and provide a glimpse into the exciting future of renewable energy.

1. Scalable energy solutions

One of the prominent trends witnessed at Intersolar 2023 is the emergence of scalable energy effects.

Various companies showcased cutting-edge technology and software solutions that enable the initiation and expansion of green energy projects.

This trend signifies a shift towards empowering individuals and organizations to actively participate in the renewable energy transition.

Key points:

• Scalable energy solutions offer the flexibility to start small and expand gradually.
• Technology and software play a crucial role in facilitating the growth of green energy initiatives.
• The trend emphasizes democratization and accessibility of renewable energy resources.

Key data:

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 90 percent of the world’s electricity can and should come from renewable energy by 2050.

One of the main drivers of increasing adoption of renewable energy has been the rapid decline in the cost of green technologies.

For example, the cost of electricity from solar power fell by 85 percent between 2010 and 2020. Costs of onshore and offshore wind energy fell by 56 percent and 48 percent respectively.

This has made renewable energy more competitive with traditional fossil fuel sources and has led to an increase in the adoption of green energy solutions.

2. Home energy tech revolution

Intersolar 2023 highlighted the rise of companies specializing in home energy tech. These innovative products enable individuals to adopt green energy practices within their residences.

Examples include solar panels, collapsible homes, and other eco-friendly solutions designed for domestic use.

This trend signifies the increasing emphasis on sustainability and self-sufficiency at the individual level.

Key points:

• Home energy tech products empower homeowners to generate and utilize renewable energy on-site.
• Solar panels and other green energy solutions are becoming more accessible and affordable for residential use.
• The trend reflects the growing awareness and demand for sustainable living practices.

Key data:

Especially in Europe, there is a growing trend of households integrating green energy into their homes. According to The Guardian, 2 million Europeans are now involved in 7,000 local energy communities across the continent, with numbers growing rapidly since EU directives promoting clean energy and energy communities were introduced in 2018 and 2019.

These local energy communities allow households to produce, consume and sell their own renewable energy. Examples include solar panels in the Netherlands and biomass burners in Spain. The EU sees the engagement and involvement of citizens producing and consuming energy locally as vital if the bloc is to meet its climate targets.

3. Safety and compliance solutions

Safety and compliance solutions emerged as a crucial trend at Intersolar 2023. Companies showcased products and software designed to ensure the safety of workers involved in green energy projects.

Additionally, these solutions facilitate proper data collection and compliance with industry standards, enhancing overall project efficiency and risk management.

Key points:

• Safety and compliance solutions prioritize worker well-being in the green energy sector.
• Enhanced data collection and compliance software streamline operations and improve project outcomes.
• The trend highlights the industry’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Key data:

The hazards renewable energy workers encounter are often universal issues that people in similar fields experience. That said, clean power alternatives, like wind, have specific challenges that increase safety risks for operators and mechanics. This industry isn’t immune to threats.

Some of the most significant safety concerns for employees who work in renewable energy include machinery misuse, fall hazards, electrical currents and confined spaces. Therefore, processes like lock-out/tag-out and tools like Energy+ are important in improving industry’s safety standards.

4. Hydrogen energy advancements

Intersolar 2023 showcased significant advancements and interest in hydrogen energy.

Numerous companies presented novel technologies and products related to green energy and hydrogen.

Hydrogen is a promising alternative fuel source with vast potential to revolutionize various sectors, including transportation and industrial processes.

This trend signifies the increasing focus on hydrogen as a clean energy solution.

Key points:

• The emergence of new companies and technologies indicates the growing investment in hydrogen energy.
• Hydrogen offers a sustainable and versatile energy source with applications in multiple sectors.
• The trend highlights the potential of hydrogen to complement other renewable energy sources.

Key data:

The International Energy Agency (IEA) publishes an annual report called the “Global Hydrogen Review” which tracks hydrogen production and demand worldwide, as well as progress in critical areas such as infrastructure development, trade, policy, regulation, investments and innovation.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global hydrogen generation market size was USD 145.67 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow to USD 220.37 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.6% from 2021 to 2028.

This growth is driven by increasing interest in hydrogen as a clean energy solution and the development of new technologies and products related to green energy and hydrogen.

5. Software standardization for field operations

The final trend observed at Intersolar 2023 pertains to software standardization for field operations.

Many companies in the green energy industry face challenges in integrating pen and paper processes and different software solutions for various procedures in inspections, installations, and maintenance.

This trend calls for the development of a standardized software solution that simplifies and optimizes field activities, enhancing overall efficiency and collaboration.

Key points:

• Field operations in the green energy sector require a unified software solution for improved productivity.
• Standardization eliminates the need for multiple tools and enhances data sharing and communication.
• The trend emphasizes the importance of streamlining processes and ensuring seamless collaboration among stakeholders.

Key data:

The green energy sector can be considered an early adopter of digital technologies, however it must now be enabled to be a continued and efficient adopter.

By 2030, digital technologies have the potential to help resource-intensive industries in particular reduce their global Co2 emissions by 20%. In other words, these technologies can save 9.7x more emissions than they produce and digital tools will be a significant driver of the increased efficiency.

Conclusion

Intersolar 2023 provided a platform to explore the most exciting trends in the field of green energy.

The trends discussed in this blog post, including scalable energy solutions, home energy tech, safety and compliance, hydrogen energy advancements, and software standardization, highlight the industry’s continuous evolution and commitment to a sustainable future.

And tools like Energy+ can definitely help to shape the future of industry.

Príspevok 5 Exciting trends in green energy unveiled at Intersolar 2023 zobrazený najskôr Resco.