Mobile Field Service Offering Delivers New Inventory Visibility, GPS Mapping and a Powerful Mobile Application Builder
HORSHAM, Pa., April 24 / -- Astea International Inc. (NASDAQ:ATEA), a global provider of service lifecycle management (SLM) solutions, today introduced a new version of the industry's most robust solution for mobile service organizations. The new version of FieldCentrix Enterprise significantly improves 'first-time fix' rates, resource optimization and customer satisfaction. FieldCentrix Enterprise 4.1, which is available today, comes less than 30 days after Astea introduced Service Management OnDemand, powered by FieldCentrix, its first managed hosting solution for the small- and mid-size business market.
This new release is the first upgrade, to the FieldCentrix Enterprise product suite, since Astea acquired the company in September 2005. FieldCentrix Enterprise 4.1 introduces significant enhancements in real-time, remote inventory insight and staff optimization. It also includes a new fleet management solution. Additionally, Astea is introducing a new toolkit for customizing, extending or building new mobile applications that synchronize and speed workflow with extremely flexible options for reporting and tracking.
"FieldCentrix Enterprise is one of the most widely-used service management solutions for mobile service organizations today," said John Tobin, President of Astea. "Organizations are faced with many challenges, such as improving workforce productivity and work order resolution as well as increasing revenues and customer satisfaction. This new release reaffirms our commitment to providing premier service lifecycle management solutions that continuously address these and many other market pressures to drive business and financial benefits for our customers."
Major Mobility Benefits
More than a dozen new features make FieldCentrix Enterprise 4.1 the industry's most service-centric application, with new capabilities that optimize technicians' time in the field. The software also tracks up-selling opportunities and leads closed, in order to reward engineers for driving new revenue.
Key benefits include:
Inventory Insight Enables 'First-Time Fix.' Technicians worldwide can view parts inventory from their mobile units for better planning; the powerful search capabilities let technicians quickly locate parts from any stocking location, which reduces costly ad-hoc purchases and cuts time-to-repair.
GPS and Fleet Management. This module lets dispatchers select the best team, by location or skill set, for emergency repairs. Animated maps provide a full-fleet view, and driving directions from any location which will cut transit time.
Customization with Mobility Express. This toolkit lets any organization extend the existing mobile application or build completely new mobile applications that "talk" with existing back-office applications. Organizations can leverage FieldCentrix's robust and scalable mobile infrastructure to create powerful new solutions that fit their unique business needs.
Optimizing Technician Selection. This improves how managers assign technicians to jobs, by matching skills and preferences for specific equipment types.
Important Back-End Capabilities. New scheduling flexibility includes specifications that meet customers' requests, such as 'the second Tuesday of every month.' Technicians can now capture extended billing information, including portal-to-portal time and after-hours conditions. Improved workflow and reporting lets managers drill down into these records, for instant visibility.
Robust tracking tools capture safety and performance issues, cutting administrative time and providing vital record-keeping and reporting data in case products later require service under warranty.
Astea is currently working on integrating the FieldCentrix Enterprise solution into the Astea Alliance Suite. By harmonizing the FieldCentrix mobile application and wireless middleware with the most robust back-end service lifecycle management solution, Astea Alliance, the Company will be able to provide a solution like no other on the market today that effectively addresses the entire service lifecycle. Astea works with hundreds of companies worldwide, maximizing the value of an organizations service operation by optimizing critical business processes. The company can be reached at 215-682- 2500.
About Astea International
Astea International (NASDAQ:ATEA) is a global provider of service management software that addresses the unique needs of companies who manage capital equipment, mission critical assets and human capital. The Astea Alliance suite supports the complete service lifecycle, from lead generation and project quotation to service and billing through asset retirement. It integrates and optimizes critical business processes for Contact Center, Field Service, Depot Repair, Logistics, Professional Services, and Sales & Marketing. Astea extends its application suite with portal, business intelligence, dynamic scheduling and mobile solutions. Since its inception in 1979, Astea has licensed applications to companies in a wide range of sectors including information technology, telecommunications, instruments and controls, business systems, and medical devices.
http://www.astea.com/. Service Smart. Enterprise Proven.
Astea and Astea Alliance are trademarks of Astea International Inc. All other company and product names contained herein are trademarks of the respective holders.
CONTACT: Corinne Sheehan, Media Contact of Corporate Ink, +1-617-969-9192, or csheehan@corporateink.com; or Debbie Geiger, Vice President of Marketing of Astea, +1-215-682-2500, or dgeiger@astea.com