160 employees

BlackBerry offering (T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8310 Smartphones and T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9000 Smartphones) to its staff and the implementation of T-Mobile’s Business 1-Plan tariff to some of the locations

While LTT Vending has been a customer of T-Mobile for nearly six years, the company had been using standard mobile handsets with no access to email on the move.

Introducing smartphones required staff to change its working practices and learn to use a new technology. Therefore, the company rolled out its BlackBerry offering (T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8310 Smartphones and T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9000 Smartphones) to its staff, starting with two to three devices to each of the locations signing up to T-Mobile’s Business 1-Plan tariff.

The Business 1-Plan tariff allows companies to purchase an allowance of minutes, text and data services to share across a number of users, removing the complexity surrounding mobile technology costs, providing one simple plan and one bill for all mobile communications.  
 
“This new technology was a new way of working for us. We wanted to ensure that the adoption of these new smartphones was seamless for our staff and we adopted a soft approach with the introduction of these devices. However, through word of mouth, we began receiving more requests for the smartphones and found that they proved very popular,” remarks Sutcliffe.

Each member of staff was trained in using the BlackBerry smartphones. “Despite the fact that this was a new technology and a new way of working, our staff found them easy to use and they could get to work enjoying the Benefits of mobile working straight away,” comments Sutcliffe.

Flexible working among staff

Much of LTT Vending’s operations staff is made up of working mothers and staff with caring responsibilities. The company’s flexible working policy allows them to start and finish work early to fit in with the school run and other family commitments. Furthermore, there is the option for staff to work from home for two or three days a week.
 
“We understand that our staff work better if they have the flexibility to choose their hours of work. We have a number of staff members who avoid the morning and evening rush hour by working different hours to the usual 9-5. Having the right mobile technology in place to allow them to plan their jobs in advance from home means they can work more efficiently and avoid long working hours,” remarks Sutcliffe.
 
Cost savings

LTT Vending undertook a cost/benefit analysis and found that switching to T-Mobile’s Business 1-Plan saved them a considerable amount of money.
 
“We have stayed with T-Mobile over the last six years, mainly due to the price of their tariffs. However, we noticed a significant saving when we opted for the Business 1-Plan and increased the number of BlackBerry smartphones on our contract. 

"Despite our number of BlackBerry smartphones and mobiles rising from 30 to 120 devices, the cost each month remained the same. Our account manager continually aims to ensure that our tariff suits our usage and this is one of the reasons we have been a customer of theirs for so long,” comments Sutcliffe.

Improved daily productivity for merchandisers and technicians

“Our operators are now able to receive data about the machines in their territory in real time via their BlackBerry devices and can now reschedule visits more easily. In fact, we have calculated that they are saving over two hours a week of lost time, which equates to a 10% increase in productivity,” notes Sutcliffe.

Key differentiator in competitive pitches

LTT Vending finds that having the ability to promote their mobile and flexible working abilities has proved key in differentiating themselves from the competition in pitches.

“It seems that the use of BlackBerry smartphones is pretty new in our industry and this has helped in winning new business. Prospective clients like to know we are responsive to their needs and we have managed to win business on the back this,” comments Sutcliffe
 
“We have also been able to get a deal signed as a result of our salesman having access to his emails. This particular salesman was leaving a pitch and checked his emails on his Blackberry while in the car park. He emailed over revised quotes and the prospective client asked him to return: within five minutes the deal was signed,” notes Sutcliffe.

The current economic climate has not affected LTT Vending’s IT spending plans and the company aims to roll out the BlackBerry devices to all field-based staff.
 
“In the current economic climate we know we need to keep a close eye on our spending. We are aiming to move all our mobile users over to T-Mobile BlackBerry devices as we can see the Benefits for both staff productivity and our own bottom line,” concludes Sutcliffe.

1. Watch battery usage, blue tooth and data can drain a battery quickly
2. If migrating from an existing mobile solution, don’t just update for a newer device, make sure all functionality is required
3. Listen to the users!