Case Study

Improved Productivity and Customer Service Makes Sigma Seven’s GeoField Invaluable to ScottishPower

The Challenge

The Industry Regulator, Ofgem, require ScottishPower’s Connections Business to provide quotations to their customers within demanding timescales. Prior to the implementation of Sigma Seven’s Field Quotes solution Estimators working in the field carried paper-based maps and files relating to their allocated jobs. They were often unable to complete the quotation process due to a lack of essential job information. This necessitated frequent return trips to both the office and customer site resulting in poor service to the customers. In addition the paper based system required considerable administrative effort to collect and report job status information.

The Sigma Seven Solution

ScottishPower approached Sigma Seven to implement an integrated map-based solution to meet these challenges. Estimators within the Connections Business were equipped with Tablet PCs running Sigma Seven’s Field Quotes solution, based on their flexible GeoField mapping software.

Field Quotes automates the entire Connections quotation process. It is integrated with the back-office work management and finance applications allowing all aspects of the quotation to be completed on site, at the initial visit. Alterations to a quote to accommodate any alternative requirements the customer may have can be made within minutes.

Quotations are produced by drafting the required changes directly onto the ScottishPower network map. Standards are imposed through the use of a Compatible Units browser synchronised with the corporate work and finance systems. Quotations are automatically generated from the details added to the map using the company standard costing model. A verbal quote is provided to the customer on site and job details returned to the office electronically.

The business rules built into the application guide the Estimator through the whole procedure. This ensures that all necessary information is captured and validated while the Estimator is with the customer; consequently the data is both accurate and verified on site in line with Quality Control requirements.

Field Quotes synchronises an Estimator’s allocated jobs through either a wired or wireless connection to the company network and provides the user with flexible diary management for job prioritisation, scheduling and reporting in line with regulatory Guaranteed Standards.

The Benefits

Since going live in September 2003 Field Quotes has handled an average of 2000 jobs a month and has been key to The Connection Businesses’ success throughout ScottishPower’s franchise area in Scotland, England and Wales.

The Connection Business has benefited from a dramatic increase in Estimator productivity since the introduction of the Field Quotes solution. Field Quotes has resulted in significantly fewer trips between office and site locations as well as reduced the administrative overheads demanded by a paper based system.

Other benefits include: greater compliance with Guaranteed Standards; fewer missed appointments; and consistent application of standards and procedures throughout the company.

Sigma Seven’s proven track record in implementing integrated field-based mapping solutions ensured a successful implementation on time and to budget.

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