Our Company’s Digital Transformation Strategy is a top priority to improve how we work and serve our customers and drive profitable growth. Digital changes can be massive, so we are phasing them in, one by one. Following the successful implementation of Wave 1 of our multi-year Core Systems Modernization program, we are now gearing up to implement MPower to transform our fleet and equipment management software across the Company, Area by Area, starting in October 2024. This follows a successful pilot launch at select locations in the Heartland and Southwest Areas.
Strategic change doesn’t happen on its own. We caught up with Chris Hensen, Director of Organizational Change Management, to discuss what he’s seeing at MPower pilot sites and best practices when leading people through complex change.
Q. How does a day in the life of a technician at one of our pilot sites look differently today after the rollout of MPower and tablet technology?
With MPower, technicians go from paper-based work orders and inspection plans to state-of-the-art tablets and handheld devices to digitize day-to-day operations. For fleet technicians, one of the biggest changes in their daily work is that digital Vehicle Condition Reports (VCRs) from RISE will automatically create work orders that they can address and then put the truck back in service without dealing with any paper. That digital VCR will flow back to the next driver assigned to that truck. Technicians at our pilot sites report they really like the Inspection Plans which are integrated into the work order. The way they are designed helps them document the inspection plan faster than before. They also report that the follow-up work order feature is great for mobile and tire techs. For example, they can document that something needs additional attention, like a tire re-torque or a non-safety sensitive repair, that can be addressed in the shop.
Q. Do you have any tips or best practices for users as we start rolling out MPower to all Areas beginning this October?
Tips for a successful launch of MPower include the following:
- Spend the time getting your shop ready.
- We will load all data from Dossier into MPower, so make sure your fleet and equipment data is accurate, including their attributes like engine model and serial number.
- Make sure to participate in and complete all training. Be attentive and ask questions.
- Finally, division leaders need to fully understand all the changes that come with MPower. It’s a powerful new system that requires looking at some work tasks differently.
Q. How will the transition to MPower give Republic Services a competitive edge?
MPower fully integrates our maintenance activities with our other core systems. It enables our fleet and maintenance personnel to manage their work at a completely different level. With MPower tablets, technicians can see all unscheduled, pending and closed work orders for all equipment they service. This work history gives them a full picture of what’s going on with the item and if they can combine work. Every technician at Republic Services knows the best way they can serve our customers and create a competitive advantage is to ensure that the equipment they service is safe and that they adhere to OneFleet non-negotiable elements as well as the Six Pillars to achieve excellence.
Q. Our final question, what’s next?
After our successful pilot launch, we are preparing for our Area-wide MPower deployment. Heartland Area will be the first Area to go live this October, followed by Southwest in November to conclude 2024 deployment. For a full deployment schedule, check out the MPower SharePoint site.
