Midlothian Council are to introduce a mobile system to make it easier for tenants to get help from our builders, electricians, plumbers and joiners.

A powerful software system has been installed which sends details of each job directly to the tradesperson's new PDA (personal digital assistant or handheld device).

Jobs can be monitored in real time as workers send and receive updates through their PDAs.

This system will create a highly efficient way of working as the worker can update their PDA, which feeds information back to their headquarters.

It is also estimated that the system will save the council £1.4million over the next five years.

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The software is constantly scheduling work in real time so it can allocate trades people and resources in the most efficient way and allow them to work in more concentrated geographical areas, rather than traveling across the county from job to job.

In the case of an emergency, such as a burst pipe, the system can identify the nearest worker and get them to the job as quickly as possible.

From an environmental standpoint, the new system will also help reduce Midlothian's carbon footprint, as trades people will be able to go straight from job to job.

There will also be significant reduction in the use of paper as the system moves from being paper-based to digital.

Midlothian council cabinet member for property and facilities management, Councillor Wilma Chalmers, said: "The introduction of mobile working aims to modernise the service and improve efficiencies. Not only will tenants receive an improved repairs service but mobile working will save an estimated £1.4million. This is fantastic news and is part of the council's work to transform the way we do business.

"This is the start of a phased roll-out so we are asking tenants to be patient as the mobile technology is gradually introduced."

(JG/BMcC)