Walter Surface Technologies raises efficiency and cuts costs

Download this
success story

Founded in 1952 and established in seven countries, Walter Surface Technologies is a leader in surface treatment technologies, providing high productivity abrasives, power tools, tooling, chemical tools and environmental solutions for the metal working industry.

In 2009, Walter created a new Canadian CARE service department. The division already includes multiple technicians across the country in every major city and is constantly growing, with each technician making up to 50 service calls a week.

"Prior to ProntoForms, our technicians would complete 21-point equipment inspections and other tasks using paper forms. At the end of the week, each technician would send all completed forms via courier back to head office. We would then have a dedicated office clerk input all of the information in our software management system," explains Stephane Turpin, Walter National Manager, Care Service.

Furthermore, the office clerk would have to sort through the handwritten forms, sometimes with handwriting errors, and pick out the information required to be entered into the databases. Since this was a manual data entry process, there was the added risk of additional human error.

"Having a paper form process meant that we had a lot of filing to do as well. When a customer would call with an inquiry about a recent Walter technician visit, we had to take the time to search through our paper filing system."

While Walter was searching and testing various mobile solutions, it was wireless carrier Rogers that suggested ProntoForms, a mobile form solution for smartphones and tablets. ProntoForms facilitates the collection of form data on mobile devices, and connects the information immediately with any back office system or other data destination, including popular cloud services.

"Switching from paper forms to mobile forms on tablets was a scary idea for some of our technicians. But they all love ProntoForms. They find it intuitive and easy to use - even the guys who had never used a tablet before!"

Walter was able to tie in ProntoForms with its software management system. This now allows office coordinators to send out new jobs requests to technician devices. Submitted field data is then immediately available in the office management system.

"While signature capture within the form is important, we're also taking advantage of the custom branding capability, allowing us to put the Walter logo on all PDF outputs to the customer, as well as on the ProntoForms App itself. To be able to brand everything Walter was a big selling point."

Today, technicians continue to capture customer signatures and provide instant copies of transactions via emailed PDF (ex. work orders, sales quotes, service contract forms and sales delivery confirmations).

As a result of the switch to ProntoForms, Walter no longer employs data entry personnel or incurs regular courier costs.

"With ProntoForms, we have standardized the way that information is collected, submitted and entered into our system."

Walter also includes internal reminders and instructions for technicians in each form, to better guide them through each customer visit.

"Since ProntoForms is highly scalable, we are ideally positioned for growth and to add more technicians in the field, without the requirement of additional office staff."