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Pendragon Forms Case Study
IT Asset Tracking
| Scenario: | |
| Molloy College, Rockville Center, NY is using Pendragon Forms to collect vital data about Information Technology assets. |
| Case Study | |
| Developer/Location: |
Skip Lowell, Data Automation Services (a Pendragon Solutions Provider) Molloy College, Rockville Center, NY |
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Forms Development Time: |
The first iteration was about a half a day and second iteration was another half a day refining and tweaking the process. |
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Installation: |
"In about five minutes it
was running. It was very easy to learn as well, and there are many features to exploit and
incorporate which take more mastery." Each asset, computers, printers, and communications equipment has been bar coded with a unique ID number. A Symbol Technologies SPT-1500 with an integrated bar code scanner is used scan all the inventory data at a given location on campus. The asset number, its location, serial number, phone extension, status, description and notes data are collected quickly and accurately by scanning directly into fields in the record view. The location field defaults and most fields are required which forces a quality process. Look up fields are used for manufacturer and cause a jump to look up for the model description which standardizes the use of terminology as well as making it for easy to complete the form accurately without typing. Signature is required once the form has been completed giving a sense of authorship and accountability to each record collected. The notes field is used to record work order information if the user problems to be solved. These are scanned in using a bar code on paper "menu" style selection of common terms to cut down on typing. The data is uploaded to the help desk problem and asset tracking database on the host. New problems are downloaded into the PalmPilot for the IT service technician to resolve one by as he filters the active forms. More functional requirements are designed and added as the use of the product widens. The power and flexibility of Pendragon
Forms makes the user tasks very directed and standardized. The total integration of the
features provides a production worthy process. The bar code reader enhances data
collection immensely.
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Before Pendragon Forms: |
It was not feasible to
maintain this level of asset tracking and service without the automation of a portable
Pendragon database. The collection and service process was not controlled well. Inconsistent data, inaccurate data and incomplete records rendered the asset tracking project most difficult. Now it is a breeze.
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Benefits: |
"Quick and accurate data
collection of inventory. Proactive rapid and complete help desk problem resolution.
Happier users. "This project would not be practical without the accuracy and ease of use enabled by the Forms. "Time savings of many man hours in collection and more saving getting the data right."
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