Dec 07/Jan/08

Worthing Borough Council is using mobile computing application developed by Handheld PCs to streamline the way it deals with graffiti removal.

The system, hand-e-pix, is built round a smartphone base, and uses a range of features including digital photography, GPS location, free text messaging and date and time-stamp recording.

The council wanted to improve the efficiency of graffiti removal in its area by reducing the time spent by staff in producing site records and investigation reports manually. hand-e-pix has enabled the graffiti cleaners to combine photographic evidence with GPS location information, and automatically records key information in real time via GPRS.

The information is then available to authorised staff from any site, whether they are at home, at a remote office or travelling. hand-e-pix can also be integrated with back-office business applications such as CRM and ERP systems.

 

Worthing is now said to be looking at ways to expand the project, increasing the types of information gathered and extending its use to tackle other forms of street crime.

Recognition of the attraction of the system has come in the form an award at the 2007 Channel Network Awards. Hand-e-pix came first in the 'innovative new application' category.