For a number of appliance repairer companies we have installed rapport call handling to their own server or hosting service as an entirely cloud based system meaning that they can access their call data from anywhere in the world, anytime they want.
Just like rapport installed on your local network in your home or office, you can be anywhere so long as you can access the network that your copy of rapport is on and, fill in all the job details wherever you like, watching TV using a laptop or tablet, even your phone or for those brave enough, even in the bath!
There are advantages in using this approach of a cloud based installation as, so long as you can see your own website online, you can access all of your call data, optimise routes, plan your calls and even take and record service calls when out in the field.
For some businesses this is hugely advantageous, saving the need to complete work on return to the office.
The downside is that, if you do not have a signal or internet access then this is not possible.
mobile application
This is where the mobile app for smartphones and tablets comes into play as, you can do exactly the same (as well as get real time information relayed back to base or to a client) but you do not require internet access for this to work.
All the data is for the day’s work is stored on your device and, as soon as you have signal or you connect to the internet by any means, anywhere then the data is automatically returned to your core system then onto clients as required.
Using rapport either way saves a lot of time although our recommendation, to save losing data and for better ease of use, is to use the mobile app for this.
The app is more appropriate in many ways as, it is designed to work solely on these devices using a touch interface along with being intuitive, easy to understand and use with virtually no training at all.
Using a cloud based installation is entirely possible and a number of people do this but we wouldn’t say that it was ideal with the mobile app having several key advantages.
images
Right from within the app you can take photos on your phone or tablet of a rating plate, saving the need to forget to note a vital piece of information or indeed the condition of the premises, the product and so on.
The images are then synched back to your office or cloud based rapport installation and you have them on record.
This is an especially useful feature where you are carrying out inspection work for insurers or, you wish to convey the condition of the premises or product to a client.
fault code information
Specifically for the domestic appliance trade, all the fault code information that we have amassed over the years has been incorporated into the app making it easy to find out the meanings of fault codes right there, in the app, without having to search online.
