Outdoor lighting group CU Phosco Lighting has invested in the latest mobile workforce management technology from Leeds-based BigChange.
With engineers equipped with rugged tablets running the JobWatch mobile app, the 5 in 1 cloud-based system provides real time synchronisation between the office and field service operations as part of what will be a completely paperless, end-to-end business solution.
CU Phosco Lighting design and manufacture exterior lighting luminaires, floodlights, lighting columns and masts. The company’s masts can rise to 60 metres in height and can be seen on motorways, at airports, ports and rail yards, in shopping centres, housing estates and sports stadiums throughout the world.
CU Phosco Lighting's team of multi-skilled engineers install and maintain lighting installation nationwide. With business expanding and ever-increasing amounts of paperwork - engineers would often leave the office with 20 printed forms to complete on a job - the company realised they needed to change to a digital system.
Stuart Murray, General Manager, CU Phosco Lighting commented:
"We searched the market looking for a system that would meet our needs but we could not find anything so we initially decided to develop a bespoke system."
"In the end our own development did not work for us. When we discovered BigChange we realised there was a system that could not only meet our current needs but do a lot more, and give us a future-proof solution."
BigChange provides a single platform CRM, Job Scheduling, Mobile App Tracking and a Customer Portal. At CU Phosco, the system is replacing paper and spreadsheets in the office with a live, fully digital solution. With tablets being introduced, all of the paperwork contained in 'Job Packs' has been replaced with electronic versions that engineers access on the tablets, negating the need to collect paperwork at the office.
Completed forms are then received instantly back at the office giving CU Phosco Lighting instant visibility of the status of all jobs. BigChange tracking on the fleet keeps the office up to date on engineer movements and allow automated ETA’s to be sent to customers. The JobWatch app handles all the needs of the engineers from vehicle checks, to health and safety certifications and job sign off, supported with before and after work photographs.
Unlike other suppliers in the exterior lighting industry, CU Phosco Lighting provide a complete end to end solution from initial design to installation, maintenance and asset management. This adds complexity to the business and BigChange is already providing significant benefits through easier and more effective management of tasks such as health and safety audits, quotations, asset management and customer service.
Murray continued:
"We've only just started to implement BigChange but already we can see it is going to have a big impact and we expect the system will bring benefits that go well beyond our original expectations"
"It's certainly going to give us an even stronger competitive advantage and seeing the way BigChange are clearly leading the market and continually developing their product, we will be set up for many years ahead".
