Previously, passenger information was gathered using legacy scanning technology and paper based methods. The solution wasn’t flexible, was time consuming and didn’t have the ability to expand as Nexus’ requirements grew.  Following a market testing exercise and subsequent tendering process, eSquiggles was selected.

Neill Davy, Head of Operational Support at Nexus, explains the background to the project. “Our CM team captures vast amounts of passenger data, which is not only fed to operators within our network but also to Government.  The use of eSquiggles will allow the data to be captured quickly and easily and has in-built reporting which should save us a significant amount of time per month.  In addition to Concessionary Travel information we had a number of other data requirements currently collected via pen & paper.  eSquiggles is flexible enough to allow amendments on the PDA survey forms and can produce new surveys to facilitate these requirements.  Once fully operational, we have the potential to capture additional information in our existing surveys which will provide far more meaningful information to the organisation and help us meet the changing needs of our customers.  eSquiggles will also be used to collate data and report on areas important to the public such as the accuracy of information, infrastructure checks and service punctuality. I fully anticipate our workload to increase once the product is live and we can incorporate work from other areas of the business that can benefit from quick and efficient data capture not previously available.

All data relating to routes, timetables, services and operators across all transport methods in the region have been uploaded to eSquiggles and trialling is set to commence in the next few months.  We anticipate a quick turnaround in investment and that the project will grow quickly following go live at the end of the year.”

Seeking asylum can be a traumatic experience, which involves a number of steps and a substantial amount of paperwork.  The UK Borders Agency (UKBA) makes the final decisions on asylum claims.  Various support services are available to asylum seekers, which the Refugee Councils deliver on behalf of the UKBA.  It is vital that the claim information passed to the UKBA is accurate and that the process for managing and passing over the information is efficient.  One of the main objectives of the project was to adopt an IT system which would manage all services, manage the information gathering process and handle new requirements as they arise.  It is essential that the new system will demonstrate better efficiencies and improve joint working in order to improve the quality of services provided to people seeking asylum. 

“After a fairly long and detailed procurement process, we are delighted that the Refugee Councils have decided to move forward with the Caman case management system.  Asylum is a topic which is never far from the headlines and the Home Office is seeking improvements and greater efficiencies in the system.  The Refugee Councils will be looking to once again secure the provision of support services when the UKBA goes out to tender later this year.  We are optimistic that efficiency targets posed on the Refugee Councils will be achievable following the implementation of our solution”, comments Malcolm Shannon, Managing Director, Pulsion Technology.

• Contract win to supply Pulsion’s Caman case management solution to the Refugee Councils, which will be rolled out across all three national Refugee agencies
• The IT partner in a consortium awarded a contract worth £18million by Transport Scotland for the technology element of ‘performance monitoring of the management and maintenance of Scotland’s Trunk Road network’
• Growth of Pulsion’s SharePoint practice with recent wins within the Local Government and Biotechnology sectors
• Continued success in the Health Sector, building on Pulsion’s position as a supplier on the NHS NES Software Support and Development Services Framework
• Significant growth in the client base for Pulsion’s in-house developed products – Caman case manager and eSquiggles data collection software
• Appointment as the key software company in an international consortium to deliver a world leading on-train entertainment system
• Successful retention of Microsoft Gold Partner accreditation for the fifth year running

Malcolm Shannon, Managing Director comments, “Despite tough economic conditions we finished the financial year on target and commence our new financial year with much optimism.”

Provided via touch screen monitors, the system is fully interactive allowing customers to view and listen to journey information, comedy, drama, sports, documentaries, children’s TV and news on a pay-per-journey basis.  These are available within entertainment class carriages in a selection of fleet, with full roll out due for completion late 2010.  Unlike any other travel entertainment systems, this system streams the TV channels on-demand, meaning passengers can start viewing at any point of their journey.

Malcolm Shannon, Managing Director, Pulsion Technology comments, “Feedback from the pilot project for sleeper trains was extremely positive and backed up the market research evidence that there is a real demand by business and leisure commuters.  Pulsion Technology was solely responsible for the development of the underlying software which manages online payments, online registration, SMS customer messaging, management reporting and processing of the media content.  The roll out of the full system on the high speed train fleet has gone very well and the system has also been approved by all relevant rail industry bodies.  This is a world first and we are very proud to have been part of the innovative VoloTV consortium and looks forward to working with VoloTV on further developments as the system evolves.”

This demonstrates Pulsion’s expertise in Microsoft products and technology and allows the company to continue to engage in significant projects based on Microsoft technology, particularly within the NHS and private sectors.

“We are extremely pleased to have retained the Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. We have been a Microsoft Partner for over 10 years now. Being a Gold Certified Partner allows us to continue to enhance the offerings that we currently provide, based on Microsoft’s best of breed Technology. Our well established relationship with Microsoft continues, allowing us to pass on the business benefits and expertise to our clients,” said Malcolm Shannon, Managing Director at Pulsion Technology.

Donald Bell, Halcrow’s Regional Director commented, “We look forward to working with Transport Scotland and its maintenance contractors to deliver value and innovation, putting Scotland at the forefront of international best practice. Technology will play an important role and we would like to welcome Pulsion Technology on board as a key part of our team.”

Malcolm Shannon, Managing Director at Pulsion Technology added “We are delighted to be a part of this project.    Our core values fit very well with Halcrow’s and our expertise in harnessing innovative technology to bring business benefit will allow us to deliver added value to Transport Scotland.”

City Building LLP is a wholly owned undertaking of Glasgow City Council and one of the largest construction industry workforces within the UK.

Work undertaken under the framework agreement will be around IT development and support services based on the Oracle Suite of business applications and supporting products.  Pulsion Technology is a certified Microsoft Gold and Oracle Partner and the award of this contract strengthens the relationship with OPIN Systems, a fellow Oracle Partner and Business Intelligence specialist.

Malcolm Shannon, Managing Director, Pulsion Technology commented

“Our partnership with OPIN Systems will enhance our expertise and knowledge due to their extensive IT consultancy and training services experience.  Together, we are well placed to provide the range of services required under the framework including IT Architecture Consultancy, IS Strategy Consultancy, IT Governance, Database Administration and Data Warehousing.  We look forward to working alongside OPIN Systems and City Building LLP in this exciting new adventure.”

“The ISO 9001:2000 re-certification is an important milestone for Pulsion and validates our commitment in delivering the highest quality of service and satisfaction that our customers have come to expect,” said Malcolm Shannon, MD of Pulsion Technology. “Our implemented Quality Management System provides reassurance to our clients and staff that we will continue our long tradition of providing IT services and support to the highest standard.”

Central to their efficient and secure online system, Pulsion Technology was appointed by TD in 2007 to implement their IT solutions and provide a client acceptance environment. Through some initial consultancy, Pulsion developed a customer facing website that allowed agents, landlords and tenants to manage and organise their rent guarantees online efficiently.

With the initial development work completed and a success, Pulsion moved onto TenantDeposit.com Version 2, in order to incorporate buildings and/or contents cover, rent guarantee and a new Student Deposit scheme. This is being launched as a subset of TD that will give students peace of mind when they search for new accommodation, as it lets TD act as their guarantor. Discounts and promotional codes will also be added to both the new and existing schemes, with contents insurance being offered to both tenants and students through a 3rd party insurance company.

TD have also expanded into commercial bonding providing developers a guaranteed surety of receiving the full contractual agreement made between suppliers and buyers.

John Levett comments:

“ The planned release of Version 2 will allow us to offer more products to our clients, supporting the growth of our business and diversify our target market into student lettings. Pulsion understood our specified requirements for Version 1 and delivered them on time and on budget. We therefore look forward to a successful launch of Version 2 in 2009.”

Version 1 of the project was delivered on time and on budget allowing for the partnership between TenantDeposit.com and Pulsion to strengthen and remain professionally strong.

For more information visit www.tenantdeposit.com

One such client, a provider of specialist advice around Legionella control and water testing quickly recognised the fit eSquiggles would have in increasing the speed and accuracy of data collection. They are now using eSquiggles to electronically collect data during Cold Water Tank Inspections. eSquiggles data collection improves on their existing paper based process as photo and signature capture allows site reports to be generated instantly, with no need for retyping or formatting of data.

The next release of eSquiggles will see clients using Asset Tracking functionality. Through the use of barcoding, assets are assigned a Unique Asset Number which enable assets to be identified more easily by field service workers. Assets can be tracked, asset registers maintained and jobs can be associated with an asset, meaning service or inspection history on a particular asset is much easier to review. Integration between the Asset Tracking and Job Scheduling modules enables efficiency improvements of Pre-Planned Maintenance activities.

To find out more visit www.esquiggles.com