British Gas Digs Centrino

SWINDON, U.K. -- Intel has today announced a major deal with British Gas to equip 850 British Gas service engineers with Panasonic* CF18 notebooks powered by Intel(r) Centrino(tm) mobile technology. This initial deployment of the new laptops will enable British Gas’ engineers to work more quickly, streamline procedures and enhance customer service. In 1996, the adoption of mobile technology helped the company to lead the gas appliance servicing market. By the end of 2004 British Gas intends to further rollout 8000 notebooks based on Intel Centrino mobile technology to its employees, ensuring they are supplied with the technology best fitting their needs for future business growth in the market.

“British Gas strives to take full advantage of the advances in technology and we see mobile computing as an integral part of our success,” explained David Kendle, British Gas’ Director of Home Services Operations “We have always used Panasonic notebooks powered by Intel processors and, with the introduction of Intel Centrino mobile technology, we can offer our customers a truly mobile workforce that is highly responsive to their needs.”

For British Gas engineers, their Centrino-powered notebook acts as a mobile office. Their job includes visiting residential properties to diagnose and repair faults from a vast portfolio of over 8,000 different gas appliances using product data and diagnosis tools stored in the PC. As a result, unique demands are placed on their mobile computers. In addition to the need for a high performance platform capable of handling the complex diagnosis tools without hindering battery life, the engineers also rely on the in-built wireless capabilities to have customer information sent directly to their PCs and to use web-based applications to order replacement components online. Furthermore, despite the need for a device capable of handling wear and tear when stored in the engineer’s van, the ruggedised CF18 weighs only two kilogrammes.

“Wireless mobile computing offers tremendous advantages to businesses through increased flexibility, productivity and cost effectiveness,” explained Rick Skett, Country Manager Intel UK and Ireland. “With the adoption of Intel Centrino mobile technology, British Gas is leading the industry by showing that mobility delivers outstanding business benefits and truly revolutionises the way people work.”

The ‘convertible’ Panasonic CF18 is powered by a Pentium M processor 1.5GHz and can quickly switch between notebook and tablet form. Running Microsoft* Windows* XP Tablet Edition to allow electronic signature capture, the device also supports Bluetooth* and GSM/GPRS connectivity. Once a fault has been diagnosed and the parts ordered online, the in-built Bluetooth connection will automatically send data to the engineer’s van where a report on the appliance’s performance and safety check list can be printed and immediately given to the customer. With the notebook’s Wi-Fi capabilities, British Gas is poised to take advantage of the fast growing network of public wireless LAN hotspots. In those areas not supported by Wi-Fi, the on-board GSM/GPRS module can ensure seamless connectivity in most locations.

As Ralph Higson, Head of Corporate Business Development, Panasonic commented: “The new CF18 notebook furthers Panasonic’s broad range of highly productive and reliable communications tools and Intel Centrino mobile technology is an integral part of its design. British Gas has the reassurance of power and performance delivered alongside cutting-edge wireless connectivity – all in a single device that weighs only two kilogrammes.”

Intel Corp.