Mobile link gets to work

Midlothian Council has introduced a mobile system to make it easier for council house tenants to get help from trades people.

The software system sends details of each job directly to the tradesperson’s personal digital device.

Jobs can be monitored in real time as workers send and receive updates through their PDAs.

The software is constantly scheduling work in real time so it can allocate tradespeople and resources in the most efficient way, which it is hoped will significantly reduce travel times.

The local authority expects mobile working will save £1.4 million over the next five years.