Case Study: First Student First Transit: Hexagon EAM

The brochure highlights the successful implementation of Hexagon’s HxGN EAM (Enterprise Asset Management) by First Student First Transit, the largest passenger transportation company in North America, with over 9,000 employees across 1,200 locations. The case study emphasizes how this SaaS-based asset management solution helped the company improve efficiency, streamline communication, and reduce clerical work.

Prior to adopting the HxGN EAM mobile application, First Student First Transit technicians faced several challenges, including inefficient processes like repeatedly checking in with supervisors, hunting for parts, and figuring out required tools for tasks. This hindered their productivity and created communication bottlenecks, making it difficult to meet the company’s standard of “high quality through efficiency.”

The introduction of the HxGN EAM mobile app transformed these workflows by providing technicians with real-time access to key information such as work orders, parts inventory, and safety messages—all in a single streamlined dashboard. Supervisors also benefited from the app’s role-based screens, which allowed them to assign tasks more efficiently, monitor technician workloads, and manage inventory effectively. This eliminated the need for technicians to leave their tasks to consult with supervisors or locate parts, enabling them to focus on higher-value work and reduce unnecessary trips across the shop floor.

Key benefits of the solution included:

• Improved Communication: The app eliminated communication silos between upper management, supervisors, and technicians, enabling seamless information flow across the organization. Everyone had access to the same data and insights, ensuring alignment and better decision-making.
• Increased Efficiency: By providing technicians with a clear view of their tasks and the resources needed, the app significantly reduced the time wasted on non-productive activities. Technicians could now transition from one job to the next more quickly, improving overall workflow.
• Reduced Clerical Work: The availability of user-defined screens and automated communication meant that much of the clerical burden was eliminated. Administrative staff no longer needed to manually communicate work orders or track down information, freeing up time for more critical tasks.

The brochure further explains how this digital transformation was driven by a lean principle—removing non-value-adding activities from technicians’ workflows. This shift not only improved productivity but also helped the company meet its maintenance service delivery goals while reducing operational costs. The real power of HxGN EAM, as noted by First Student First Transit, lies in its ability to function as a comprehensive communication system that provides clear and standardized communication across the entire organization.

Additionally, the case study highlights how Hexagon’s team worked closely with First Student First Transit to tailor the solution based on feedback from technicians and supervisors. This ensured the app was customized to the specific needs of different locations, further enhancing its effectiveness.

By leveraging the HxGN EAM platform, First Student First Transit not only improved its daily operations but also set the foundation for continuous improvement, driving efficiency, productivity, and long-term business success. This case study serves as a compelling example of how digital asset management solutions can transform maintenance strategies, improve communication, and streamline processes for large-scale organizations.