Revolutionizing Field Operations: An In-Depth Look at Digital Work 12.2 Enhancements

By: Jaime Simon

The latest iteration of Digital Work, version 12.2, introduces a suite of significant updates designed to streamline field operations and enhance user experience. Key highlights include a new, configurable tile-based home screen for improved navigation, advancements in screen and tab functionality for specific workflows like child equipment replacement and supplier returns, notable improvements to the work order schedule with new calendar and schedule views, and various general enhancements aimed at increasing efficiency and usability. This article delves into the details of these updates, providing insights into their functionality and potential benefits for field service professionals.

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, efficiency and accessibility of information are paramount for field service teams. Digital Work has consistently evolved to meet these demands, and the release of version 12.2 marks another significant step forward. This update focuses on providing a more intuitive interface, enhancing specific operational workflows, and offering greater customization options. By introducing a redesigned home screen, expanding the capabilities of screens and tabs, and refining the work order scheduling process, Digital Work 12.2 empowers users to manage their tasks more effectively and make informed decisions in real time. This article will explore the key features and enhancements included in this release, providing a comprehensive understanding of how they can transform digital work processes.

A Fresh Start: The New Digital Work Home Screen

One of the most prominent updates in Digital Work 12.2 is the introduction of a brand-new Digital Work Home screen, which serves as a modern and efficient landing page for users. This redesigned home screen features a tile-based menu, a departure from the standard menu options and folders, offering a visually appealing and easily navigable interface.

The implementation of this new home screen is not automatic; it requires specific configuration steps. Administrators need to undertake the following to enable and customize the Digital Work Home screen:

User Group Setup: The initial step involves configuring user groups to utilize the new home screen.
Screen Setup: Specific screens need to be set up to integrate with the tile-based menu.

This multi-step configuration process highlights the flexibility offered by the new home screen. By tailoring the tiles to specific user roles and responsibilities, organizations can provide a more personalized and efficient entry point to the Digital Work application. This can significantly reduce the time users spend navigating through menus and folders, allowing them to access the tools and information they need more quickly.

Enhanced Workflow Capabilities: Additions to Screens and Tabs

Digital Work 12.2 extends the functionality of screens and tabs, particularly for users with Advanced Mobile Licenses. These enhancements focus on specific field service workflows, providing tailored actions and capabilities.

Child Equipment Replacement: For managing and replacing child equipment, new additions to screens and tabs offer streamlined processes. Users can now:
- Add the relevant screen to the Digital Work Menus for the specific User Group.
- Optionally hide fields using the Screen Designer for a more focused view.
- Utilize screen actions such as Attach, Replace, and Detach directly from the mobile interface.
Supplier Returns: The process for handling supplier returns has also been enhanced with new screen and tab functionalities. Users can:
- Add the necessary screen to the Digital Work Menus for the relevant User Group.
- Optionally customize the screen by hiding fields using the Screen Designer.
- Access the Retrieve Parts screen action, simplifying the returns process.
Part Inspection: Managing part inspections in the field is now more efficient. Users can:
- Add the Part Inspection screen to the Digital Work Menus for the appropriate User Group.
- Optionally refine the screen layout by hiding unnecessary fields using the Screen Designer.

These targeted enhancements demonstrate a commitment to addressing specific needs within field service operations. By embedding relevant actions directly within the screen and tab interface, Digital Work 12.2 reduces the need to navigate through multiple steps or access separate modules, leading to increased efficiency and accuracy.

Optimizing Scheduling: Enhancements to the Work Order Schedule

The Work Order Schedule has received significant attention in the Digital Work 12.2 update, with multiple enhancements aimed at improving visibility and management of scheduled labor.

A key addition is a View button in the header, allowing users to seamlessly switch between a ‘Calendar View’ and a ‘Schedule View’. This dual-view functionality provides users with the flexibility to visualize their schedules in a way that best suits their needs. Furthermore, users can now easily navigate to a specific date using the date selector fields located at the top of the Work Order Schedule.

The Calendar View offers the following features:

Displays a list of schedule labor record(s).
Records are sorted by Start Time in ascending order.
If a labor record has a Scheduled Start Time, it will be displayed next to the labor column.
The following fields are displayed:
- Work Order Code – Description
- Activity
- Scheduled Hours

The Schedule View provides a different perspective on the same data:

Presents a list of schedule labor record(s).
Records are sorted by Work Order – Activity.
The following fields are displayed:
- Work Order Code – Description
- Activity
- Activity Assignment Status
- Scheduled Hours
- Header Equipment Code – Description
- Note

These enhancements to the Work Order Schedule provide users with improved tools for planning, managing, and tracking field service activities. The ability to switch between calendar and schedule views, along with the clear display of relevant information, empowers users to stay organized and make informed decisions about their workload.

General Enhancements: Boosting Overall Usability

Beyond the major feature updates, Digital Work 12.2 includes several general enhancements that contribute to a more streamlined and user-friendly experience.

Deep-Link Update: The deep-link URLs have been updated to remove the word ‘Infor’ from the ID and replace it with ‘hxgn’. This change likely reflects a broader branding or system architecture update.
Favorites as Tiles: The Favorites section will now render like ‘Tiles’, mirroring the visual style of the new Digital Work Home Screen. This provides a consistent and intuitive user experience across different areas of the application.
Default Tab Order: A new Default Tab Order pop-up has been added to the Digital Work Menus tab of User Groups. This allows administrators to define the default order in which tabs are displayed for Card 1, Card 2, and Card 3 when the Install Parameter DWDEFTAB is set to on.
Print Record Functionality: A Print record button has been added across all the screens. This functionality is available only if the base screen supports the ‘Print Record’ option on the toolbar and a report is associated at the screen’s level. This provides users with a convenient way to generate hard copies of relevant records.
Screen Design Support: The screen designer for digital work screens now supports User defined screens and User defined tabs. This enhancement offers greater flexibility for organizations to customize the application to their specific requirements.

Install Parameters: Fine-Tuning System Behavior

Digital Work 12.2 introduces new Install Parameters that allow for further customization of the application’s behavior.

DWDEFTAB: When set to on, the tabs defined for Card 1, Card 2, and Card 3 in the User Group settings will display in that specific order.
DWBOOKLB: When set to yes, users will be able to make corrections to labor records even after the timer has stopped. This provides greater flexibility and accuracy in time tracking.
DWPCSAVE: When set to on, any photos taken within the application will be stored in the image library. This centralizes image management and can be beneficial for auditing and documentation purposes.

These install parameters offer administrators granular control over specific aspects of the application, allowing them to tailor the system to their organization’s unique operational needs and preferences.

Digital Work 12.2 represents a significant update that brings numerous benefits to field service professionals. The new tile-based home screen offers a more intuitive and personalized navigation experience, while the enhancements to screens and tabs streamline specific workflows like child equipment replacement and supplier returns. The improvements to the Work Order Schedule, with its new calendar and schedule views, provide enhanced visibility and management of scheduled labor. Furthermore, the various general enhancements and new install parameters contribute to a more efficient and customizable application.

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