As the year wraps up, it's good to take a step back. For plumbing and heating businesses, the efficiency and quality of service delivery are key. Gas engineer software has stood out as a game-changer, aiming to smooth out the kinks in daily operations.
That’s why we’re delving into its real-life impact. From saving time to boosting revenue, we’ll look at the real value behind the software.
Let’s get into it. 👇
The productivity gains from gas engineer software
Using gas engineer software isn't just about digitising your job sheets—it's about turning every working hour into an opportunity for growth and customer satisfaction. Let's talk numbers. Our 2023 research revealed that BigChange customers see dramatic improvements in back-office productivity with a 25% overall reduction in admin.
When your teams aren’t held back by paperwork, manual scheduling and double keying, their time is freed to focus on the things that really matter; like building customer relationships, boosting sales, and all-important marketing.
And for engineers? They get a morale boost from not feeling weighed down by the paperwork side of things, plus they see their average job duration reduced by 10%. This isn't just a number; for some field service businesses, it translates to potentially four more jobs per engineer completed a week.
Think about it—that's 17 additional jobs per engineer each month, scaling up your business's capacity without the need to hire extra hands. But it's not all about cramming more work into the day. The extra time can be redistributed to fine-tune the quality of service—longer, more thorough inspections, time for staff training, or even a well-deserved breather for your team.
Plus, it also allows for flexibility to manage those unexpected urgent calls that are all too familiar in the gas engineering field.
Consider the task of filling out paper job sheets. It might take an engineer about 15 minutes per job. With digital job sheets, this can be slashed to just a few minutes, saving hours over a week. These hours can now be invested back into jobs, boosting your service capacity and your revenue.
Gas engineer software cost efficiencies
Diving deeper into the cost-saving aspect, gas engineer software offers a mix of features that directly impact your bottom line. Automated inventory tracking, for example, can reduce excess spending on stock. This is the result of precise tracking and alerts that ensure you only
purchase what you need when you need it.
Consider travel costs. By optimising routes and scheduling, software solutions like BigChange can reduce travel time for engineers by an average of 11%.
For a team of 10 engineers, that's a saving of around 22 hours per week, assuming each engineer saves approximately 2.2 hours. These hours add up quickly, not just in terms of reduced fuel costs but also as additional billable labour that can significantly boost your business's efficiency and profitability.
But where the software truly shines is in its ability to digitise paperwork. Transitioning to electronic job sheets can save each engineer roughly an hour per day—a huge saving when multiplied across a sizeable workforce.
To put it into perspective, for a business with 20 engineers, that's a saving of 100 hours per week, or approximately 5,200 hours annually.
What’s more, use of route optimisation tools drives a 10% reduction in fuel use. This is time and money that can now be invested in servicing more clients, enhancing training, or even just providing your team with the bandwidth to improve work-life balance, leading to better job satisfaction and retention.
Aside from cost efficiency, after just a year of using gas engineer software, BigChange customers see their revenue increase by an average of 10%, even with the same size team.
Boosting customer satisfaction and retention
In a service-centric industry, the customer experience is critical. Gas engineer software directly impacts customer satisfaction levels. Businesses like Gas Smart Heating have reported that customers are happier as the work gets done the first time without the need to arrange another visit.
Let's consider responsiveness—an area where time is of the essence. By using the dispatch and scheduling features of the software, emergency call-out times can be reduced by as much as 50%.
For customers, this means halving the wait time during stressful situations, a factor that could make the difference between a one-time job and a loyal client.
Transparency also plays a key role. Customers can receive real-time updates on the status of their job, enhancing trust and communication. Imagine the peace of mind a customer feels when they can track the progress as easily as they might track a parcel.
Plus, the ability to easily provide digital service histories and invoices not only adds to the professional look and feel of your service but also streamlines the customer's experience.
How gas engineer software provides a competitive edge
Here’s the hard truth: sticking to traditional methods can leave your business trailing behind.
Gas engineer software pushes you into the digital age, setting you apart from competitors still grappling with outdated processes. It’s about using innovation to sharpen your competitive edge.
Jake Maddocks, Company Director at Heatforce says it best: “We’ve increased contract win rates thanks to the added capability BigChange gives us,”
But it’s not just that. Consider the efficiency of digital job sheets and mobile access to work orders. This doesn't just streamline workflows; it positions your business as tech-savvy and customer-focused in the eyes of your customers.
In an era where customer reviews and online presence are vital, businesses leveraging this technology often see better ratings on review platforms compared to those who don’t. On the flip side, the ability to collect and use data for service customisation and predictive maintenance can open new revenue streams and strengthen client relationships.
Streamlining compliance and safety standards
The gas industry is tightly regulated, with stringent compliance and safety standards. Gas engineer software helps to simplify adherence to these regulations.
By digitising safety checks and automatically updating with the latest compliance guidelines, the software ensures that engineers are always in line with industry standards. Automated workflows guarantee that no critical safety checks are missed, and digital records provide an audit trail.
For instance, when conducting a gas safety inspection, the software prompts the engineer with a checklist that complies with the latest Gas Safe regulations. This means compliance becomes integrated into every job, reducing the risk of human error.
Plus, the right software can enhance the quality of safety reporting. Accurate, time-stamped records can be generated instantly, showcasing a company’s dedication to maintaining rigorous safety standards.
Businesses using this approach have reported a reduction in compliance-related incidents, highlighting the protective shield that technology offers.
Boosting team morale and skill development
Implementing gas engineer software does more than just streamline operations; it has an impact on the entire workforce. It boosts team morale by reducing dull tasks and focusing on skill development.
With less time spent on paperwork, engineers and back-office staff have more opportunities to engage in meaningful work and upskill.
Training becomes more dynamic with access to digital resources. For example, engineers can tap into a bank of resources and troubleshooting guides while on the job, enhancing their learning curve and efficiency.
And an engaged employee is a more productive one. By using technology that makes their jobs easier and contributes to their professional growth, companies see an uptick in job satisfaction. This is often seen in staff retention rates.
Gas engineer software’s ability to future-proofing your business
As the final piece of the puzzle, future-proofing your business is essential. Gas engineer software can play a pivotal role. It's not just about keeping pace with current trends; it's about setting up your business to adapt to future changes in the industry.
The technology is scalable, meaning it grows with your business. Whether you're expanding your team or diversifying your services, the software adapts to accommodate new workflows and additional users. It’s designed to handle increased engineers and more complex scheduling as your business evolves.
It’s one of the reasons why Steven Cahalane, Director at Gas Smart Heating chose the tech;
“The thing about BigChange is that it can match the functionality of systems costing hundreds of thousands of pounds used by national utility firms. This allows new independent players like Gas Smart Heating to enter the market and match the levels of service provided by the traditional suppliers,”
Investment in the right tech also signals to your customers, staff, and competitors that you are committed to staying at the forefront of industry developments.
Businesses that are early adopters are often seen as leaders rather than followers, which can be a significant differentiator in the market.
Savings and total annual business benefits with gas engineer software
Calculating the concrete financial benefits of any business investment is crucial. With gas engineer software, the numbers can be huge. Let's break down the potential savings and total annual business benefits you could expect with a tool like BigChange:
🧑🔧Improved engineer productivity
By reducing time spent on paperwork and travel, engineers can complete more jobs per day. This efficiency translates into direct salary savings and an uptick in revenue-generating activities.
⌚Enhanced office admin productivity
With streamlined job scheduling and automated administrative tasks, office staff can manage workflows more effectively, cutting down on overtime costs and improving overall service efficiency.
💸Increased revenue potential
The ability to take on more jobs without increasing headcount leads to substantial revenue growth. The software's routing and scheduling efficiencies mean more jobs per day, expanding your earning potential.
⛽Fuel savings
Optimised route planning leads to less time on the road, which means significant fuel savings – a direct benefit to your bottom line, especially with rising fuel costs.
⚖️Technology cost vs. savings
While there's an outlay for the software, the system's efficiency gains often result in the software paying for itself within a matter of months. We did a deep analysis into the true return on investment that our customers realise on our platform. Taking into account all of the savings areas above, for every £1 invested, businesses experience a tangible £5 business benefit.
That’s a 400% return on investment.
See for yourself. Try out our savings calculator to see how much you could save.👇
The verdict on Gas Engineer Software
It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day operations. That’s why it’s helpful to look at how far you’ve come, what’s worked, and what could be improved.
It’s clear that gas engineer software is not just a fancy addition to your toolkit—it's an investment in your business’s efficiency, customer satisfaction, competitive edge, compliance, workforce morale, and future viability.
From boosting productivity to reducing costs, the benefits are clear as day.
So, as you think about the past year and plan for the next, consider not just the impact of gas engineer software on your day-to-day operations, but also on your long-term business goals.
The evidence suggests that those who use it to its full potential will not only lead the market today but will continue to do so in the years to come.
Remember, the right tools don't just build a business—they can redefine it. Talk to us to find out more.
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