Brisbane City Council is responsible for keeping its 2,229 playgrounds safe. Playgrounds can become unsafe through wear and tear or vandalism. Council’s playground inspectors conduct around 300 playground inspections per month. These inspectors previously used pen and paper to complete their inspection reports that were then filed using a paper based system.
Brisbane City Council wanted a system that would result in the field data being available in electronic format and in one database to allow searching. It also wanted a system that did not require a lot of training and would be easy to use in an outdoor environment.
Although PDA’s and tablets were considered, Destiny digital pens were chosen as a cost effective solution. Training requirements were kept to a minimum as the input process was very similar to the processes inspectors already used.
Data forms filled out using a digital pen are available back in the office within 30 seconds, as shown in the video at www.destinywireless.com.au The forms are made available in the office within 30 seconds, as shown here with the inspectors handwriting and with the handwriting converted to text by the Destiny system:
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The data and text is then uploaded into a job management system provided by Destiny.
The screenshot below is from Council’s internal job management system. This particular screen shows the Condition Rating 4 and 5 jobs, which are those categories rated as urgent.
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It is now easier to use the data to monitor programs and align funding to the inspection results. At a glance, all inspection results and rectification works can be displayed.
Each region as well as senior management can view their results and the entire database.
With all the data feeding into one location, it is now possible to generate monthly orders for items such as softfall like mulch or rubber, which needs to be regularly replaced.
This saves considerable time and allows for bulk purchasing of products making it cheaper and more effective.
“The playground solution was reasonably easy to put into operation,” according to BCC staff. “We are continuing to work with our playground inspectors to develop the process and gain additional uses such as generating work orders to Council contractors for remediation work.”
Overall benefit
Destiny digital pens enable playground inspectors to efficiently collect all of their information, and the Destiny system almost instantly converts this information into data. These business intelligence tools assist Brisbane City Council to effectively manage and keep playgrounds safe.
For further information contact Andrew Bissex at Destiny Wireless, telephone (02) 9417 5333 or go to www.destinywireless.com.au
*Copy supplied by Destiny Wireless
