AU2020103358A4 - Technology configured to facilitate efficient job management and data collection, including for tradespersons and the trades industry, and for the property/property manager industry, inclduing enahnced mobile communication system with context-based contact sharing functionality - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to technology configured to facilitate efficient data collection and job management activities by various businesses, including by way of example businesses which provide services via the work of tradespeople, and other forms of workers who operate on an "on-site" or 'field" setting. Some embodiments relate to an enhanced mobile communication system with context-based contact sharing functionality, which is able to be configured for operation as part of a job management framework. Embodiments of the invention are primarily directed to a technological framework whereby tradespeople interact with a software application which allows for primarily voice-recognition driven collection of notes in relation to a job, including capturing of images and voice-recognition based annotation of those images. Embodiments also relate to facilitation of communications between tradespersons and a variety of third parties associated with a given job (including owners, tenants, home insurer, real estate manager, strata committee members, strata managers, neighbours, and the like) to streamline operations and improve efficiency. 1/2 4141 4 managemnt Quote/Invoice 135 Appdatahandling Third Party Platform modulemodule Integration Modules 140 133 142 4Back-office U4 1a 137 modulesta Module module 130 ServerSystem 134 _ UserAccount/ Vo0ice 132 Verification Comuictin Modules Module 131 UserIntefac Modles151 152 120 Mobile App Module Template Invoicing/Quoting/ management modle Reporting module 150 0 153 154 Job data generation Mobiledatareview module modules 121 Back-Office Modules (rendered via web browser at clientterminal) Companion App150 User Interface15 Stakeholder Access Interface (rendered via web browser at clientterminal) FIG. 1

Description

1/2

4141 4 managemnt Quote/Invoice 135 Appdatahandling Third Party Platform modulemodule Integration Modules 140

133 142

4Back-office U4

1a137 modulesta Module module 130 ServerSystem _ UserAccount/ Vo0ice 132 134 Verification Comuictin Modules Module 131

UserIntefac Modles151

152 120 Mobile App Module Template Invoicing/Quoting/ management modle Reporting module 150 0 153 154

Job data generation Mobiledatareview module modules

121 Back-Office Modules (rendered via web browser at clientterminal)

Companion App150 User Interface15

Stakeholder Access Interface (rendered via web browser at clientterminal)

FIG. 1

TECHNOLOGY CONFIGURED TO FACILITATE EFFICIENT JOB MANAGEMENT AND DATA COLLECTION, INCLUDING FOR TRADESPERSONS AND THE TRADES INDUSTRY, AND FOR THE PROPERTY/FACILITY MANAGER INDUSTRY, INCLUDING ENHANCED MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH CONTEXT-BASED CONTACT SHARING FUNCTIONALITY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to technology configured to facilitate efficient data collection and job management activities by various businesses, including by way of example businesses which provide services via the work of tradespeople, and other forms of workers who operate on an "on-site" setting. Some embodiments relate to an enhanced mobile communication system with context-based contact sharing functionality, which is able to be configured for operation as part of a job management framework. Embodiments of the invention are primarily directed to a technological framework whereby tradespeople interact with a software application which allows for primarily voice-recognition driven collection of notes in relation to a job, including capturing of images and voice-recognition based annotation of those images. Embodiments also relate to facilitation of communications between tradespersons and a variety of third parties associated with a given job (including owners, tenants, home insurer, real estate manager, strata committee members, strata managers, neighbours, and the like). While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to those applications, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts such as claim management, building and site inspections, safety audits, field evaluations, compliance and maintenance checks, routine assessments and more.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] Trades, such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical services, currently remain a relatively low-tech industry particularly amongst the non-technology natives of an older generation. Jobs are typically managed via email correspondence or paper sheets, and job notes recorded by pen and paper. Willingness to move to mobile app technology has been limited, for example due to prevalence of enlarged fingertips for tradespersons across a variety of trades, which can render it challenging to capture substantive amounts of information via touchscreen device keyboards.

[0004] In addition, business owners tend to rely heavily on an Administrator to process the collected field data into meaningful and professional documentation that is suitable for business such as reports, invoices, quotes, emails which are repetitive, manual and time consuming tasks that are for the most part non-automated, non-integrated, thus far negatively impact productivity.

[0005] Lack of visibility, and often accountability, stems from these manual and labour-intensive approach which delays information sharing, critical decision making by key stakeholders, and ultimately action and resolution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0007] Example embodiments are described below in the section entitled "claims".

[0008] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0009] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0010] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

[0011] As used herein, the term "exemplary" is used in the sense of providing examples, as opposed to indicating quality. That is, an "exemplary embodiment" is an embodiment provided as an example, as opposed to necessarily being an embodiment of exemplary quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 provides a representation of an implementation of technology described herein according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a cloud computing system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to technology configured tofacilitate efficient data collection and job management activities by on-site business representatives, for example tradespeople and the like. For the present purposes, these are referred to as "on-site users", as they are typically employees/contractors/other representatives of a business that conduct work on-site at customer/client locations. Embodiments of the invention are primarily directed to a technological framework whereby on-site users interact with a software application which allows for primarily voice-recognition driven collection of notes in relation to a job, including capturing of images and voice-recognition based annotation of those images. Embodiments also relate to facilitation of communications between on-site users and another category of user referred to herein as "back office users", and in some embodiments additionally to a variety of third parties associated with a given job (including owners, tenants, real estate managers, home insurers, strata managers, neighbours, the neighbours next to kin and the like) referred to herein as "key stakeholders". While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to those applications, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.

[0016] An example embodiment described herein includes a cloud computing system configured to provide functionality for assisting in the delivery of services. The system provides a cloud-hosted database which is accessible via user interfaces which are rendered at client devices. The cloud hosted database maintains a set of records for each of a plurality of business accounts (e.g. corresponding to respective unique businesses). The records include, for each business account, a plurality of job records, which define jobs that are managed in practice by the system users (for example jobs that require on-site inspection and work, preparation of reports, quotes, invoices, and so on).

[0017] The user interfaces include:

(i) A back-office user interface or administration console, which is preferably rendered via a web browser application executing at a client terminal (for example a PC or laptop). The back-office user interface allows a user to perform administration level functions in association with the job records for that user's associated business account. This includes creating and assigning new jobs, proofreading input generated by the on-site users (such as tradespersons) generating reports/quotes/invoices/emails, and other functions.

(ii) A companion app, for which a user interface is rendered at a mobile device operated by the on-site user. The companion app provides functionality that allows a user to perform specific level functions in association with the job records assigned to that user's business account.

[0018] In this manner, on-site users and back-office users associated with a common business account are able to collaborate via their respective user interfaces in respect of the same set of job records associated with that common business account.

[0019] The computer system is in some embodiments additionally configured to provide an intelligent communications platform. Key stakeholders may also be granted permission to access the system to review specific and relevant content to a job record, to comment on the status or steps required. Access to a centralised 'source of truth' plays a significant role in streamlining operations and reducing 'business waste' as all parties are kept in the loop. As context, for many tradesperson jobs, there are a number of people who will/may need to be contacted in connection with that job. For example, in the context of strata property, these stakeholders include: a property owner; a property tenant; a property real estate agent, strata manager; the home insurer, members of the strata committee and a person associated with a laterally of vertically adjoining property (and secondary contacts for that neighbouring property). The list may expand with job context and/or complexity. By way of a simple practical example, consider a common situation such as a water leak, which requires access to a property where the leak is concealed, reported by a tenant to the real estate who in turn reported it to a strata manager. A tradesperson may need to contact the tenant and/or the real estate manager to arrange and gain access, the strata manager for building information and gain work order approval, a strata committee member if the issue affects common property and perhaps neighbours, or their relatives to gain access to adjoining properties also affected by the leak. Orchestrating access to carry out the inspection and repairs to the water leak becomes the first substantial and common hurdle faced by tradespeople. Ease and availability of contacting data is paramount for the job to be performed efficiently and effectively, or the job could be affected in a number of practical manners.

[0020] In this regard, one embodiment provides a computer implemented method including steps that cause rendering of user interface components for both the administrator user interface and the on-site user interface. This includes providing, via the administration console user interface, a functionality that allows a user to:

(i) Select a desired job record. This may include creating and assigning a new job record.

(ii) Input voice communication contact details for a plurality of parties that are relevant for the job record. In some embodiments, based on predefined job templates and/or other contextual information regarding the job, the user interface may prompt (e.g. via a pop-up action reminder) the administrator to input a defined/minimum set of contact details for the job.

[0021] The method also includes rendering via the mobile device companion app user interface components which enable an on-site user to:

(i) Select the same desired job record (as created and assigned by an Administrator).

(ii) View the voice communication contact details for the plurality of parties that are relevant for the job record (those inputted by the Administrator).

(iii) Via the companion App user interface, initiate voice communications with a selected one or many of the plurality of parties. For example, this may be a UI button component which triggers a cellular, VOIP, multi-party conference call (of a "group call") or other form of voice communications using the associated contact details. This step simplifies and speeds up the job as key stakeholders review and agree on a course of action.

[0022] In this manner, an on-site user, in this example a tradesperson, is able to engage with the companion app to learn contextual information in an on-demand basis, hence allowing for the tradesperson to book a time and to arrive at a job with less hassle and time spent chasing contact numbers, ringing multiple parties and synchronising agendas. Thus, the tradesperson can become more focused, better prepared and be more situationally aware regarding the requirements of each job.

[0023] An additional aspect of the companion app is the implementation of voice-assisted character input functionality across a range of operations, including note taking, input of text into template fields, and image annotation. In relation to the latter, the companion app user interface provides contextual functionality enabling the user to:

(i) Access functionality of an image capture module of the mobile device, thereby to capture an image or select an image previously stored on the device.

(ii) Cause the image to be compressed and stored at an optimised and defined resolution in a database record associated with the appropriate job record.

(iii) Access an image annotation and mark-up interface thereby to, via voice input, define textual annotation data for association with the image in the database.

[0024] In some embodiments the user interface additionally provides an image mark-up interface thereby to, via touch screen, add visual annotations in the form of lines, shapes and arrows that are overimposed or superimposed for association with the image in the database.

[0025] In some embodiments the system is configured to generate draft/final reports/quotes/invoices/emails (for example in PDF/HTML/XML format) which combine together content defined by way of voice-assisted character input (for example via data input fields defined by templates associated with the job, and image annotations) and marked up images themselves, thereby to autonomously generate report data that is able to be viewed by the on-site user, administrator (for example to review, enhance and correct any typographical/transcription errors), and ultimately a customer or third party (for example by sending an email containing an attached PDF, embedded HTML content in an email or webpage). Thus far providing synced data and a single source of truth.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a technology framework according to one embodiment. As context, examples are described below primarily by reference to a scenario where a mobile software application (i.e. a collection of computer executable code stored on a memory device) is executed via one or more processors of a mobile device (for example a smartphone or tablet device having a camera and a speech recognition module). The mobile device may be, for example, a device with an Android or iOS type operating system. The mobile device is connected to a network (for example a WiFi network or cellular telecommunications network), which allows the mobile software application to communicate with a server device that is configured to perform cloud-based processing steps to support the operation of the mobile application. It will be appreciated that various steps described herein may be shifted between local and cloud-based processing in further embodiments which remain in synch including the data.

[0027] Software executing at the mobile device and server system is described by reference to a plurality or "modules". The term "module" refers to a software component that is logically separable (a computer program), or a hardware component. The module of the embodiment refers to not only a module in the computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. The discussion of the embodiment also serves as the discussion of computer programs for causing the modules to function (including a program that causes a computer to execute each step, a program that causes the computer to function as means, and a program that causes the computer to implement each function), and as the discussion of a system and a method. For convenience of explanation, the phrases "stores information," "causes information to be stored," and other phrases equivalent thereto are used. If the embodiment is a computer program, these phrases are intended to express "causes a memory device to store information" or "controls a memory device to cause the memory device to store information." The modules may correspond to the functions in a one-to-one correspondence. In a software implementation, one module may form one program or multiple modules may form one program. One module may form multiple programs. Multiple modules may be executed by a single computer. A single module may be executed by multiple computers in a distributed environment or a parallel environment. One module may include another module. In the discussion that follows, the term "connection" refers to not only a physical connection but also a logical connection (such as an exchange of data, instructions, and data reference relationship). The term "predetermined" means that something is decided in advance of a process of interest. The term "predetermined" is thus intended to refer to something that is decided in advance of a process of interest in the embodiment. Even after a process in the embodiment has started, the term "predetermined" refers to something that is decided in advance of a process of interest depending on a condition or a status of the embodiment at the present point of time or depending on a condition or status heretofore continuing down to the present point of time. If "predetermined values" are plural, the predetermined values may be different from each other, or two or more of the predetermined values (including all the values) may be equal to each other. A statement that "if A, B is to be performed" is intended to mean "that it is determined whether something is A, and that if something is determined as A, an action B is to be carried out". The statement becomes meaningless if the determination as to whether something is A is not performed.

[0028] The term "system" refers to an arrangement where multiple computers, hardware configurations, and devices are interconnected via a communication network (including a one-to-one communication connection). The term "system", and the term "device", also refer to an arrangement that includes a single computer, a hardware configuration, and a device. The system does not include a social system that is a social "arrangement" formulated by humans.

[0029] At each process performed by a module, or at one of the processes performed by a module, information as a process target is read from a memory device, the information is then processed, and the process results are written onto the memory device. A description related to the reading of the information from the memory device prior to the process and the writing of the processed information onto the memory device subsequent to the process may be omitted as appropriate. The memory devices may include a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), an external storage medium, a memory device connected via a communication network, and a ledger within a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0030] In the example of FIG. 1, an on-site user uses a mobile device 120, which executes a mobile app represented by a mobile app module 130. For example, module 130 represents a set of computer executable code that is downloaded to device 120 and executed as a local app, for example an iOS or Android app. Module 130 is also referred to as a "companion app" which provides a "companion app user interface" (item 121, with user interface components being rendered based on user interface modules 131) on a display screen on device 120.

[0031] Mobile device 120 communicates with a server system 140 via an Internet connection. As illustrated, this involves a request/response management module 133 which provides request data for transmission to server system 140, where it is received and processed by an app data handling module 141. Module 141 is configured to receive and handle requests from a plurality of separate mobile devices such as device 120, which each execute the same or similar versions of module 130. Module 141 provides responses to the relevant mobile devices based on processing of the requests. In some instances, module 141 transmits data to a specified mobile device, such as device 120, without a preceding request from that device. For example, this may be used to send a set of work instructions to a specific on-site user, thereby to assist that user in performing work tasks (including physical inspections) and collecting and sharing the relevant data for the job.

[0032] Each instance of module 130 includes user account/verification modules 134, which allow a user to input credentials thereby to verify their identity, and association with a particular business account including exclusive rights and privileges. Each business account has a respective set of records, including job records, defined in a client data database 145, which is cloud-hosted via server system 140. In this manner, there may be a plurality of instances of module 130 execution on respective devices 120, each used by a different on-site user belonging to a common billing account, and all of those on-site users would have access to common job records defined in client data 145. However, on-site users associated with different business accounts would only have access to other sets of job records in client data 145.

[0033] There are two main ways in which job records maintained via client data 145in association with a given business account are able to be accessed. Firstly, these can be accessed via the companion app (based on verification of business account via module 134). This allows on-site users to view records, input new data, generate reports/invoices/quotes/emails/text notification, and other actions as discussed below. Secondly, the job records can be accessed via admin modules 150, which are preferably accessed via an administrator user interface operated by an administrator user (who is also verified based on a being authorised to access records for a given business account), with the administrator user interface optionally being rendered in a web browser executing on a computing device such as a PC or laptop, via downloading and executing via the web browser data defined in admin console UI modules 142. Select functions available via the admin modules 150 (also referred to as a back-office user interface) are discussed further below. In broad terms, the dual interface approach whereby there is one user interface for on-site users, one interface for back-office users, and one for key, third party stakeholders with common cloud-hosted records, allows for streamlined and straightforward collaboration between on-site personnel and back office Administrators. In some embodiments there is an additional interface 160 provided which allows for access to data by other external key stakeholders, for example real estate and strata managers. In some embodiments this allows key stakeholders to log issues into the system, for example providing input (for example text and photos) which triggers generation of a job.

[0034] In terms of describing an example workflow, it is useful to commence with the back-office user interface. A job data generation module 153 allows a back-office user to generate a new job record, for example by inputting details regarding the location and nature of thejob. This may include selecting a predefined template and checklist for a particular job type, and/or modifying a generic or predefined template via the template management module 151. The templates include data fields, optionally with some pre-filled details, into which the on-site user inputs additional information or removes non-applicable data based on on-site activities and observations. The templates may include templates/themes for report generation, invoice generation, quote generation, email generation, text generation and/or other purposes. In the illustrated embodiment the companion app also provides for template management functionalities via a template management module 139 (which in some embodiments provides similar functionality to module 153).

[0035] Once a new job record is defined and assigned by a back-office user, it becomes available to a dedicated user of the companion app. In some embodiments a job list or notification functionality is provided thereby to assist in either or both of: (i) instructing on-site users that a new job has been assigned to them and provides full details, including voice communication contact details, in respect to the job to be actioned; (ii) allowing on-site users to review pending jobs and manage their own workloads; (iii) predictive job history search allowing on-site users to review, recall, comment, respond, information about past jobs; and (iv) make and manage bookings and record the data directly in the job record (this in some embodiments is used to assist an inspector in keeping on track, and provides instant visibility to the Admin to avoid double bookings).

[0036] When an on-site user selects a given job for actioning, the user is provided with a set of functionalities to assist with the performance of that job. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Collection and input of data. This includes entering textual information into data fields pre defined in templates and checklists (and optionally other locations), selecting or capturing photos via an image capture module 138, annotating images via an image annotation module 136 (which may additionally, or via alternate modules, provide functionality for marking up images and tagging images). Text input for all (or most) functions is supported by voice-assisted character input, thereby to assist on-site users (who often have enlarged fingers that have become poorly adapted for using a touchscreen keyboard). The data input may be provided via speech recognition capabilities native to the operating system of device 120. By way of example, a user selects a job record, and captures a set of photos whilst at the job. The user then accesses a "photo uploading" function, and is able to dictate annotations to each photo via voice-assisted character input. The images are automatically compressed and optimised to a predefined resolution (for example to support image sizes under 500KB each), prior to transfer of the images to server system 140, where they are stored in database 145 in a manner associated with the relevantjob record (and in a manner associated with an index, text-based annotations, markups, and tags). In some embodiments the image annotation module is additionally configured to allow for image markup, whereby the image itself is modified by placing text and/or graphics onto the image. In some embodiments the image annotation module is additionally configured to allow for image tagging, whereby predefined/customised tags are associated with the image (for example via a dropdown menu), thereby to assist in grouping, categorising and/or searching of images.

• Generation of output data. This includes generation of quotes and invoices via a quote/invoice module 135, generation of reports via module 137, and in some embodiments generation of emails via an email generation module and generation of SMS notifications via an SMS notification generation module.

[0037] As noted above, the image annotation module may allow for markups (for example include adding circles, lines, arrows by tapping the user interface), annotations (text/comments which can be displayed next to a photo but without altering the photo itself), and tagging (assigning tags based on predefined tags, for example via a dropdown menu interface).

[0038] Module 153 is configured to pre-fill invoice data fields based on data extracted from the job record, and allow input of specific information by the on-site user, resulting in generation of data for a quote/invoice. The user then is able to output an invoice/quote in a desired format (for example PDF or HTML). In some embodiments quote and/or invoice data is transmitted to a third-party accounting system (e.g. Xero) via third party platform integration modules 144, such that the quote/invoice is recorded in a third-party accounting system hosting the business accounting data for which the on-site user has rightful access, in accordance with predefined data and security requirements.

[0039] Module 137 is configured to generate a report (for example in PDF or HTML format) which combines data inputted via template text fields and checklists, images, image annotations, markups and tags and the like with pre-filled information extracted from the job record as defined via module 153. This allows for autonomous arrangement and generation of information reports, which are able to be transmitted to a client (for example via email or webpage link). In some embodiments a report is sent by email in conjunction with a quote and/or an invoice.

[0040] In some embodiments a mobile data review module executes via the back-office user interface, allowing a back-office user to review and correct textual input generated via an on-site user (for example to correct spelling, grammar, and/or voice-assisted character input errors). The back office user may then finalise and transmit reports/invoices/quotes/emails/SMS notifications via a module 152. In some embodiments the back-office user review is triggered via a notification that is generated following input from an on-site user indicating that a report/invoice/quote is ready for review and finalisation. Reports and the like are preferably transmitted via email, via an email address associated with the relevantjob record. However, for ease of accessibility and reviewability the documents generated by the system can be accessed via a direct URL in addition to the email containing a PDF file.

[0041] A voice communications module 132 allows an intelligent communications function to be easily deployed within the companion app without the need to leave the app to make a call, including a group call, hence without disruption to the review flow. As context, for many site inspections carried out across different fields involving building assessors, compliance supervisors, private certifiers, safety auditors, maintenance intendants, loss adjusters, facility managers amongst others, there are a number of people who will/may need to be contacted in connection with that job. In this regard, module 152 enables a back-office user to input voice communication contact details for a plurality of parties that are relevant for the job record. In some embodiments, based on predefined job templates and/or other contextual information regarding the job, the user interface may prompt (e.g. via pop up action reminder) the back-office user to input a defined/minimum set of contact details for the job (including, for instance, landline and phone numbers for primary and secondary contacts and email addresses). Module 132 enables an on-site user to easily access those contacts when viewing the information contained in thejob summary record for that samejob via the companion app, and initiate voice communications with a selected one or many of the plurality of parties. For example, this may be a UI button component which triggers a cellular, VOIP, multi-party conference call or other form of voice communications using the associated contact details. This step simplifies and speeds up the job as key stakeholders review and agree on a suitable course of action.

[0042] In this regard, one embodiment provides an integrated communications system with enhanced contact sharing functionality. The integrated system includes a server subsystem which provides a centralised database of contact records. The server subsystem includes an interface, for example an interface that is accessible via a web-based platform, which enables a user to: (i) associate a selection of the contact records with a defined job record; and (ii) enable association of one or more user IDs to that defined job record. In response, at a user mobile device executing a predefined software application, a user is enabled to: (i) log in based on a user ID; (ii) access a set of data and functionalities associated with the defined job record; and (iii) based on the accessing a set of data and functionalities associated with the defined job record, select one or more of the contact records associated with the job record thereby to initiate voice communications via the selected one or more contact records. This selection preferably occurs via a graphical user interface presented on the mobile device. In some embodiments the contact records conceal specific addressing details from the user (such that the user is only able to trigger communications from within the predefined software application via the job record). This approach provides a communications system which allows for sharing of contacts on a contextual basis, such that users of mobile devices need not perform local storage and management of contact records, and instead have access to specific contextually relevant contact record sets which are assigned via the server system to specific job records.

[0043] In some embodiments, the integrated communications system allows for a user of the mobile device to create additional contact records (which are optionally associated with a job record), and/or modify existing contact records, and in response the server synchronizes data such that contact records created/modified at the mobile device are stored in the centralised database of contact records. This allows for other mobile users to gain access to the resulting new/modified contacts in a distributed manner. In the case of modifications, this allows for a change in contact details to be propagated throughout a distributed network of mobile devices seamlessly and efficiently.

[0044] In some embodiments the back-office interface is configured to provide analytics in relation to job records, for example completion metrics and benchmarks. In an example embodiment, each job record is associated with a defined "desired completion time", which may be customised. This allows for tracking of whether a job is completed ahead of schedule, or behind schedule (for example via a dashboard which shows all active jobs, the job types, locations, and desired completion times, preferably with functionality to assign/reassign jobs to specific trades to assist in coordination of workloads). This optionally extends into functionality for either or both of: automatically recognising workers who are able to complete jobs on time or ahead of schedule; and providing notifications to workers who have jobs that have fallen behind schedule.

[0045] In some embodiments, a user that has been granted access to a job record is able to grant access (or partial access, for example view/add/modify access) to one or more further users. For example, this may be via a hyperlink or the like. In this manner, a user is able to collaborate within a given job record with a plurality of other users (for example subcontractors and the like). By way of example, this may be helpful where one user is tasked with preparing a report, and a plurality of other users are tasked with collecting and annotating photos for inclusion in that report. This allows for an increase in data entry efficiency, by avoiding duplication.

[0046] In embodiments where job record sharing is enabled, thereby to facility collaboration within a job record, preferably the integrated communication system described above is configured to automatically share contact details for all job record collaborators within the application interface (e.g. via association of contact records to the job record), such that collaborators are able to initiate voice communications with each other from within the application (as opposed to via contact databases unique to their respective mobile devices).

[0047] It will be appreciated that the above disclosure provides integrated technology that assists business owners and their personnel to perform their activities more collaboratively, more efficiently, and with enhanced transparency to drive a credible business reputation.

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates an example computer or processing system that is in some embodiments used in context of implementing systems, methods, and computer program products described herein in one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is provided as context only, and it will be appreciated that various embodiments result in new and improved integrated systems which go beyond generic programming of standard computing devices. The computer system is only one example of a suitable processing system and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the methodology described herein. The processing system shown may be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the processing system may include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

[0049] The computer system may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The computer system may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

[0050] The components of the computer system may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 201, a system memory 203, and a1/O interface1/O interface 205 that couples various system components including system memory 206 to processor 201. The processor 201 may include a software module 202 that performs the methods described herein. The module 201 may be programmed into the integrated circuits of the processor 201, or loaded from memory 203, storage device 204, or network 207 or combinations thereof.

[0051] 1/0 interface 205 may represent one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.

[0052] Computer system may include a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system, and it may include both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

[0053] System memory 603 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and/or cache memory or others. Computer system may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 604 can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (e.g., a "hard drive"). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a "floppy disk"), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to 1/O interface 605 by one or more data media interfaces.

[0054] Computer system may also communicate with one or more external devices 608 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 609, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (1/0) interfaces such as a display device 609.

[0055] Still yet, computer system can communicate with one or more networks 607 such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 606. As depicted, network adapter 606 communicates with the other components of computer system via 1/O interface 605. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

[0056] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

[0057] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilised. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0058] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0059] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0060] Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as those used in iOS and/or Android mobile development, and various other common languages such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages, a scripting language such as Perl, VBS or similar languages, and/or functional languages such as Lisp and ML and logic-oriented languages such as Prolog. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0061] Aspects of the present invention are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0062] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0063] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0064] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0065] The computer program product may comprise all the respective features enabling the implementation of the methodology described herein, and which-when loaded in a computer system-is able to carry out the methods. Computer program, software program, program, or software, in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form.

[0066] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0067] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements, if any, in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0068] Various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a program, software, or computer instructions embodied in a computer or machine usable or readable medium, which causes the computer or machine to perform the steps of the method when executed on the computer, processor, and/or machine. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform various functionalities and methods described in the present disclosure is also provided.

[0069] The system and method of the present disclosure may be implemented and run on a general purpose computer or special-purpose computer system. The terms "computer system" and "computer network" as may be used in the present application may include a variety of combinations of fixed and/or portable computer hardware, software, peripherals, and storage devices. The computer system may include a plurality of individual components that are networked or otherwise linked to perform collaboratively, or may include one or more stand-alone components. The hardware and software components of the computer system of the present application may include and may be included within fixed and portable devices such as desktop, laptop, and/or server. A module may be a component of a device, software, program, or system that implements some "functionality", which can be embodied as software, hardware, firmware, electronic circuitry, or etc.

[0070] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that there are other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

[0071] It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0072] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0073] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[0074] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0075] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognise that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. An integrated communications system with enhanced contact sharing functionality, the system including:

(A) a server subsystem which provides: a centralised database of contact records; and an interface that is accessible via a web-based platform, wherein the interface enables a user to:

(i) associate a selection of the contact records with a defined job record; and

(ii) enable association of one or more user IDs to that defined job record.

(B) a plurality of user mobile devices which each execute a common predefined software application, wherein execution of that software application configures the mobile device on which it executes to provide an enhanced contact sharing and communications interface, wherein the enhanced contact sharing and communications interface enables:

(i) logging-in based on a user ID;

(ii) communication with the server subsystem thereby to determine a set of data and functionalities associated with the defined job record, and make that set of data and functionalities associated with the defined job record available via the predefined software application; and

(iii) via the set of data and functionalities associated with the defined job record, provide a graphical user interface component which allows a user to select one or more of the contact records associated with the job record, thereby to initiate voice communications via the selected one or more contact records.

2. A computer implemented method including:

rendering a user interface via a mobile device;

providing, via the user interface, a functionality that allows a user to select a job record, and gain access to perform a plurality of functional operations in relation to that job record;

via the functional operations, enabling the user to:

(i) access functionality of an image capture module of the mobile device, thereby to capture or select an image;

(ii) cause the image to be stored at a defined resolution in a database record associated with the selected job record;

(iii) access an image annotation interface thereby to, via voice input, define textual annotation data for association with the image in the database; and

(iv) access an image markup interface thereby to, via touch screen, add visual annotations in the form of lines, shapes and arrows that are overimposed for association with the image in the database.

3. A computer implemented method including:

rendering a first user interface at a computing device;

providing, via the first user interface, a functionality that allows a user to select a job record, and gain access to perform a first set of functional operations in relation to that job record;

via the first set of functional operations, enabling the user to:

(i) select a desired job record; and

(ii) input voice communication contact details for a plurality of parties that are relevant for the job record;

rendering a second user interface via a mobile device;

providing, via the second user interface distinct from the first user interface, a functionality that allows a user to select a job record, and gain access to perform a second set of functional operations in relation to that job;

via the second set of functional operations, enabling the user to:

(i) select the same desired job record;

(ii) view the voice communication contact details for the plurality of parties that are relevant for the job record; and

(iii) via the user interface and within the same workflow/function, initiate voice communications with a selected one, or many of the plurality of parties.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of parties include all or a subset of the following for a given property: a property owner; a property tenant; a property strata manager; property real estate agent, home insurer, members of the strata committee, a building or facility manager, persons associated with a laterally of vertically adjoining property.

5. A computer system configured to provide functionality for assisting in the delivery of professional services, the system including:

a module configured for allowing rendering of a first user interface at first set of computing devices associated with a common business account;

providing, via the first user interface, a functionality that allows a user to perform back-office functions in association with a plurality of job records;

a module configured for allowing rendering of a second user interface at a second set of computing devices associated with the same common business account; and

providing, via the first user interface, a functionality that allows a user to perform on-site functions in association with the same plurality of job records, wherein the on-site functions include functions performed by a tradesperson, property manager, or property inspector.