FieldView

PocketFAST

PocketFAST is FAST’s handheld computer solution for builders, providing an easy-to-use, timesaving solution to manage on-site scheduling, and purchase order approval needs – all on a convenient handheld computer the size of your shirt pocket.

PocketFAST makes it easy for field superintendents to manage jobs and projects on the handheld, providing tools to note schedule changes, confirmations, vendor reassignments, and purchase order approvals or cancellations. Each evening superintendents connect their handhelds to the FAST network to synchronize data. During data synchronization, information from the handheld transfers to the FAST Builder Management System™ and automatically updates the FAST database, creating accounts payable invoice batches for approved purchase orders, adjusting job schedules, reassigning vendors, canceling purchase orders, and altering measurement purchase order resource quantities. In the second portion of the data synchronization session, FAST returns current schedules, purchase orders, customer selections, and job options back to the handheld, immediately providing updated, integrated information from the back-office onto field superintendent handheld computers.

PocketFAST complements FAST’s scheduling functionality, and depending on your company’s business practices, should be used in conjunction with other FAST scheduling features such as vendor loading analysis, automated vendor fax/email confirmations, FieldView, and scheduling matrix reports.

Features and Benefits

PocketFAST allows you to reduce cycle times, overhead, and control direct costs, while also providing the following benefits:

• Eliminates hours of telephone calls with the back office, allowing superintendents to focus on product quality and the myriad of details that demand attention in the construction cycle.

• Handles payment approval for purchase orders and variance purchase orders, reducing paperwork and automating the accounts payable data entry process.

• Makes it quick and easy to maintain schedules with current data in the palm of your hand.

• Requires fewer back-office processing responsibilities and the time required to complete them, such as manual entry and report generation.

• Provides the ability to synchronize data any time throughout the day in one swift step, delivering updated data to the back office and loading current information onto the handheld.

PocketFAST Handheld Features

PocketFAST, for use on your handheld computer, provides you with an on-site management tool that enables you to easily keep track of jobs in the field. PocketFAST features include the following:

View On-line Information

• Job and schedule information

• Vendor information by name or group

• Options list by name or option ID

• Custom options

• Customer selections

Maintain Schedules

• Note Vendor Confirmations

• Reschedule activity start and complete dates from a calendar screen

Manage Purchase Orders

• Approve purchase orders for payment

• Cancel purchase orders

• Reassign purchase orders to other vendors

• Adjust quantities on measurement purchase orders

• Approve or cancel variance purchase orders

Connect Anytime

PocketFAST data synchronizes with the FAST Builder Management System during the PocketFAST data transfer (synchronization session). Data synchronization affects the following FAST processes:

• In Scheduling, PocketFAST updates job schedules based on altered start and completion dates for activities.

• In Accounts Payable, PocketFAST adds approved purchase orders, variance purchase orders, and measurement purchase orders into accounts payable invoice batches.

• In Purchasing, PocketFAST cancels purchase orders, and cancels and releases purchase orders on vendor reassignments.

• In Estimating, PocketFAST reassigns vendors and changes measurement purchase order resource quantities.

PocketFAST Components

Your PocketFAST installation requires  the following components:

• Either Palm HotSync® Manager, a program included with your Palm desktop software installation, or Microsoft ActiveSync® (available from the Microsoft web site)

• PocketFAST SQL® Server – installed and configured for use with the FAST Builder Management System by your FAST Customer Care Representative.

• PocketFAST Client – includes the PocketFAST Sync Conduit and PocketFAST Administrator applications needed to configure PocketFAST users, install the handheld application, and manage data transfer sessions

• PocketFAST Database Configuration utility

• PocketFAST handheld application (installed during a data synchronization session via the PocketFAST Administrator)

For more assistance, contact FAST Customer Care at (800) 411-2020 or support@tfmg.com.