Hestico teams up with students for smart scheduling solution
IN AN aspiring collaboration that merges education with industry innovation, equipment supplier Hestico has partnered with students from the University of Pretoria to develop a cutting-edge scheduling system for its technicians.
Initiated as part of a group assignment for third-year students in the BIT Information Systems and BCom Information programmes, the project culminates in a practical application of their studies.
“In today’s fast-paced environment, businesses like ours must continually adapt to stay efficient. Our previous manual processes often led to lost information and booking errors, which hindered our technicians’ productivity,” said Hestico managing director Juanita Stiehler-Brits.
The newly developed scheduling system, crafted by five talented students under the ‘Hestech’ banner, streamlines job bookings and enhances overall workflow. Anke Brits, a member of the team elaborates on the system’s capabilities: “The application allows customers to easily book with technicians, track job progress and approve invoices directly through the app. This integration ensures transparency and reduces the chances of double bookings.”
The five students’ academic backgrounds vary – Anke Brits (BIT Information Systems), Chelsea Nortje (BCom Informatics), Hilton Vorster (BIT Information Systems), Nevin Naidoo (BIT Information Systems) and Josh Warren (BIT Information Systems). The system can track technicians’ travel times, manage spare parts orders and enable immediate job sign-offs, streamlining operations in a way that was previously unattainable.
Real-world application
Before the system’s implementation, Hestico was challenged to manage technician schedules and ensure timely job completions. Juanita notes: “The old system was cumbersome and required too many steps, resulting in time-consuming back-and-forth communication. By harnessing technology, we can significantly improve our efficiency and service delivery.”
The students’ involvement went beyond technical execution. They worked closely with Hestico’s technical team to tailor the system to the company’s needs. This collaboration was crucial for allowing the students to understand real-world applications of their studies.
The app’s implementation is expected to roll out in stages during 2025, allowing for a smooth transition and adjustments.
The collaborative effort culminated in an exhibition at the University of Pretoria in October, where participating groups showcased their projects.
This ‘smart scheduling system’ will truly benefit Hestico, its customers, technicians and even accounts departments. When customers encounter an issue with a machine, they contact the supplier through the app. The problem is logged, and all relevant parties are notified. A technician is dispatched to assist the customer and departure and arrival times are recorded. Upon arrival, the problem is assessed, repairs are documented, and any parts required are noted. If technicians have the required parts, they proceed with the repair. If not, they log the time spent and return to head office to either collect or order the part and update the system. Once the part arrives, the technician repeats the process, repairs the machine and enters the details into the system which will then generate an invoice.
