Improving Operations

Most software today is "Task-based". One software program does one thing. Task-based processing has been the standard ever since computers were first developed. Even GIS (Geographic Information System) is "task-based", even though it's one of the most advanced computer applications available today. GIS does GIS... but that's all it does.

Task-based processing, however, is "old technology". The new standard integrates several tasks together into "activities". Thanks to new computers and a new approach in information management, we can manage information in ways never before possible!

To compare task-based and integrated processing, consider the following example:
John Jones spends two hours fixing a pothole at 123 Main Street, uses a truck and some inventory.

Task-based processing requires several separate software programs to track information on this activity. One program pays John, another tracks equipment costs and usage, another tracks inventory, another tracks fund balances, and yet another allocates costs to an individual job or work order.

Task-based model uses several separate programs

Integrated processing, on the other hand, takes a different approach. It manages several tasks at once. Rather than having to maintain five or more separate software programs (as shown in the example above), one entry in a control module automatically updates and maintains essential information on jobs, people, equipment, inventory and other areas.

Integrated model uses a single-entry approach

Integrating tasks into activities makes sense. First of all, it streamlines data entry. Rather make entries in five or six separate software programs, one entry manages all the necessary files at once. But, probably more importantly, information is "integrated". Information scattered across several software programs is virtually useless. We have to print several reports and then use a stubby pencil to make sense of the information. Integrated reports presents meaningful information... Information we need to make informed, sound decisions.