A Smart Solution

For the past year or so, Östersund has been using the map-based solution ProLocate for the operation and management of grounds maintenance in the municipality. The solution is integrated with the municipality’s case management system, which is a benefit in itself since no separate system is needed, while also reducing the need for multiple CAD licenses. The link between the map and the database in ProLocate makes it easy to record completed work in real time, which in turn generates better planning data with optimized routes and reduced diesel consumption.

“It saves a tremendous amount of time because everything is correct right away, and we can be sure that both contractors and intrapreneurs have accurate information,“ says Andreas Granlund, a development engineer with the City of Östersund.

Making Mistakes Easy and Correcting Them

Östersund has also done a thorough job of streamlining the fault reporting process with the help of ProLocate. Residents can now report faults directly on the map, and to make the process easier and further improve accuracy, the map has been linked to objects such as park benches, open spaces, and trash cans. Linking a report directly to a specific object not only saves time by making it easier to locate the correct spot but also provides the municipality with a history of the objects, which serves as a better basis for maintenance planning. In addition, field workers can see if a problem has been reported nearby and thus save themselves an extra trip.

Östersund also wanted to go a step further to help citizens easily file “accurate” reports of problems. By adding information about the locations—such as specifying that a grassy area is meant to have tall grass that should be mowed rather than trimmed—the number of “incorrect” reports is reduced.

Tip!

Andreas points out that it’s always good to be curious about other municipalities and to talk with them. Of course, not all of them have the same circumstances or even the same needs, but learning about other perspectives can spark ideas for new approaches and adjustments.

“When the time comes to take action, it’s important to look inward within the organization and engage in an internal dialogue. What are our needs, where do we stand today, and where do we want to go? If you have a clear picture of your specific starting point and end goal, there’s less risk of overspending on tools that don’t serve the right purpose, or of solutions becoming unnecessarily complex. It’s also a good idea to take stock of your resources—what internal drive do we have, and who will do the work? Systems and processes aren’t self-playing pianos; if there isn’t time to work with them, they won’t yield any results either.”“, Andreas concludes.

Would you like to know more?

Click here to learn more about ProLocate.

Contact Erik Fredriksson, Business Manager at Icebound, at erik.fredriksson@icebound.com