Category: Case Study

Rubbish removal company Clearance & Clean Up has achieved a ten-fold growth in business following the roll-out of a job management system from BigChange. With an online booking system, which automatically creates customised worksheets, an integrated CRM from start to finish job management and real-time vehicle tracking and mobile app, BigChange is reducing the administrative resource required to run the nationwide operation. This has also helped the Yorkshire-based company achieve and maintain the highest quality service standards with the most five-star reviews for a property clearance and rubbish removal company.

“We adopted BigChange quite early in our journey and, as we have grown, BigChange has grown and evolved with us,” commented Tom Pickering, Managing Director of Clearance & Clean Up. “BigChange allows us to offer an unmatched level of service whilst ensuring waste is dealt with quickly, legally and ethically.”Tom Pickering, Managing Director of Clearance & Clean Up

Clearance & Clean Up was established by ex-Royal Navy supervisor Tom Pickering in 2010 and he has subsequently grown the company by more than 1000 per cent to become Yorkshire’s largest property clearance and rubbish removal company. Offering a range of services from single item collection to full house clearance, trade and business waste to event management, Clearance & Clean Up works with tenants and home owners, local councils and housing associations, letting / estate agents, developers as well as high street names.

The BigChange job management platform, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, resource management, job finance and business intelligence, in one easy to use system, is used to manage every aspect of the mobile operation from initial enquiries and booking through to invoicing and marketing. An online booking portal captures information via an API connection from Clearance & Clean Up’s website, automatically populating initial job cards and appointment calendar. BigChange also allows Clearance & Clean Up to create personalised booking sites for regular commercial customers.

The integrated CRM means Clearance & Clean Up can manage every aspect of its nationwide customer base including details of bookings, legal documents such as Waste Transfer Notices, invoicing and marketing communications. BigChange also provides the ability to create and customise bespoke worksheets depending on the type of booking received. Operatives complete these using the mobile app whilst on-site, capturing vital evidence, including date stamped photographs, the scale and nature of the waste on arrival, and the site as it is left.

Each of Clearance & Clean Up’s modern, purpose-built trucks, is fitted with a real-time tracker and each field operative is armed with a mobile device running the BigChange Mobile App. This gives management 24/7 visibility of the mobile operation, allows for intelligent and reactive scheduling and route planning and provides additional evidence to inform customer communications.

“We rely on accurate information from our customer in order to provide the best possible service,” Pickering continued. “In return BigChange allows us to capture, record and share real-time service updates, detailed job reports and comprehensive management intelligence whenever and where ever its required”.Tom Pickering, Managing Director of Clearance & Clean Up

“BigChange has been an essential part of our business growth journey and, with the excellent support they offer and tools such as the BigChange University, I expect it to be an integral part of our successful future,” he concluded.

A BigChange job management system is helping electrical contractor Stirling Electrical Services improve efficiency and transform business performance. An electrical and security system company, carrying out domestic and commercial work across Scotland, Stirling Electrical replaced a number of disconnected systems with the all-in-one solution from BigChange. Using a BigChange mobile app synchronised in real time with the back-office system, Stirling Electrical has reduced the amount of paperwork it produces and processes by around 80 per cent, improved operational efficiency by 20 per cent and is winning more tenders.

“In our first decade we were entirely paper based, however, in 2007, after ten years’ of business we made, what was at the time, a significant investment in field service software from America. This was a big step and one few companies of our type and size were taking,” commented Scott McLean, Owner and Director of Stirling Electrical Services and its security system division Stirling Alarms. “We also started using standalone vehicle tracking and navigation equipment at about the same time”.Scott McLean, Owner and Director of Stirling Electrical Services and Stirling Alarms

“These systems did boost productivity and reduce administration, but only in part. We were still manually producing paper job sheets which, when completed, needed scanning for historical reporting, and the tracking and navigation didn’t ‘talk’ to each other or other management processes. BigChange is great as it does everything we need in a single package and is ready to go straight out-of-the-box.”

Established in 1996, Stirling Electrical Services is an electrical and security system company operating locally in and around Stirling, and nationally across Scotland. With a team of qualified engineers, electricians and apprentices, Stirling Electrical offers fault finding, installation, maintenance, inspection and testing services, while experienced office staff are on hand to deal with initial job enquiries through to job completion reporting. Promising a ‘Professional Efficient Service’. Stirling Electrical has subsequently established a branded security alarm service, including CCTV, Fire and Smoke Detection, Emergency Lighting and Door Access, as well as installing Electric Vehicle charge points.

Stirling Electrical selected the BigChange job management platform, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, resource management, job finance and business intelligence, following a recommendation from another BigChange user. Since implementing, Stirling Electrical has fully automated the production, completion and filing of job cards and no longer has to print, fill in and scan. This means information is available in real-time and is available as and when required to answer customer queries or review site histories.

“The biggest thing about BigChange is the visibility that it gives us. All the information we need is instantly available so we can manage everything more dynamically and keep customers better informed,” said McLean. “We’ve also won tenders because BigChange allows us to tick more boxes and is so easily adaptable we’re confident we can do anything that is asked of us.”       Scott McLean, Owner and Director of Stirling Electrical Services and Stirling Alarms

Integrated vehicle tracking and navigation combined with intelligent and responsive scheduling has further boosted daily productivity and simple things like engineers no longer having to ‘phone-in’ at the start of the day or end of a job are making a real difference to the work that can be completed each day.

The ability to automatically capture on-site information including date stamped photographs and ‘no-touch’ signatures, introduced to support Covid restrictions, together with other processes, enabled by BigChange, are also helping Stirling Electrical secure additional contracts with public sector organisations such as Housing Associations.

“Although we have already made significant improvements in our management and reporting processes using BigChange, there is always more that can be done,” McLean continued. “Moving forward we can achieve additional efficiency gains by integrating with our accounting and financial reporting functions and we hope to implement the online booking portal for some of our larger customers.

“As BigChange is adaptable and modifiable the support of the account management and Roadcrew support teams, as well as the wider BigChange Community, has been one of the biggest strengths of the system as we know there is always someone on hand to offer advice or assistance if we need it.”

Off-mains drainage expert UKDP Solutions, is pinning ambitious expansion plans on its use of a BigChange job management system. The specialist drainage company has already transformed the management of its field operation using BigChange, with engineer’s mobile devices and vehicle trackers live-linked to a central management system. This has meant a 30 percent gain in operational efficiencies, as engineers spend less time completing paperwork, and boosted customer service with real-time access to service updates and automatically generated ETAs. UKDP is also saving tens of thousands of pounds per year in office rent as the cloud-based system has allowed remote working, introduced during the pandemic to be continued.    

“We have ambitious expansion plans and BigChange will play a big part in them, as it allows scalability at any pace, due to the continuity it provides and the transparency it offers,” commented James Warren, Technical Director at UKDP Solutions. “We have proven that BigChange works and I have no doubt that regardless of the challenges we face, it always will.”  James Warren, Technical Director at UKDP Solutions

It is estimated that around 5 percent of UK properties are not connected to mains drainage relying instead on systems such as septic tanks, sewage treatment plants or cesspits. Located in mainly rural areas, UKDP offers a range of services to these properties, including new installations, inspections, surveys, repairs, and routine maintenance and emptying. A team of directly employed Field Operations Managers (FOM), armed with tablets running the BigChange mobile app, cover the whole of Britain using a mixed fleet of Ford and Peugeot vans.

UKDP selected the BigChange job management platform system, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, resource management, job finance and business intelligence, to replace a number of disconnected systems including a standalone office suite, online calendar and email server. Using BigChange, UKDP has digitised all previous systems and processes and created a library of over 40 customised worksheets covering every job type which engineers complete onsite leading to an increase in productivity of 30 percent.

Real-time tracking allows UKDP to issue accurate arrival times and update customers of any delays. This visibility and accessibility of information also means any member of the office team can answer queries, at any time, it also provides a valuable input for time / cost analysis by providing ‘time on site’ transparency. This transparency is extended to other areas of the business including financial reporting. With all job costs and invoices on the system UKDP can assess the profitability of individual jobs and produce detailed reports in a matter of minutes.

“We have fully immersed our entire operation in BigChange and, as cheesy as it may sound, the more we have put in the more we have got out,” Warren continued. “It took some time to get all our documents and workflows on the system but it was the best thing we have ever done. We are now exactly where we need to be to start the next stage of our development and BigChange has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of our journey.”James Warren, Technical Director at UKDP Solutions

PRYMO SURFACE SOLUTIONS HAS DOUBLED THE SIZE OF ITS BUSINESS IN JUST SIX MONTHS FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A BIGCHANGE JOB MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

Offering a complete repair, restore and resurface solution for any type of surface, Prymo has dramatically increased productivity in the office by eliminating paperwork and introducing automated workflows. The system also gives management complete visibility of the operation 24/7, as well as the ability to produce in-depth business critical analytics at the touch of a button. 

“Committing to BigChange was a big step but it was all about mindset,” commented Prymo Managing Director and founder Jasen Jackiw. “I knew the system did everything we needed, and more, so it was a bit like a symbolic burning ship. By signing on the dotted line, I was getting rid of the worries and the ‘what ifs’ and committing to making the company a success. And that’s exactly what happened; with BigChange we are going from strength to strength and the system just keeps on delivering”.Jasen Jackiw, Managing Director and founder of Prymo

“BigChange has also empowered and motivated us as a team,” he continued. “This has transformed the feel of the business from a small company to one that can provide a more corporate, larger-company experience – but retaining the personal touch.”

Based in Manchester, Prymo is the largest repair and resurfacing company in the north-west. From small damage repairs to full facade solutions and work packages, Prymo offers a complete surface repair, coatings, restoration and cleaning solution for organisations such as Balfour Beatty, English Heritage and Manchester City Council and has just committed to a 25% growth in its mobile team to drive future expansion plans.

The BigChange job management system, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, resource management, job finance and business intelligence, has replaced a number of disparate systems including spreadsheets, sales management software and multiple apps with one simple to use and easy to integrate solution. The use of real-time tracking in combination with intelligent routing and scheduling is ensuring efficient job planning and communication with customers and technicians, armed with mobile phones running the BigChange app, can access a huge variety of customisable job sheets and workflows whether they are working on large construction projects or in retail environments.

Prymo has also halved the cost of its internal account management thanks to BigChange. By eliminating menial administrative tasks, staff have been freed up and redeployed to work on customer service and business development.

“By investing in BigChange we have invested in our staff and we have committed a 110% to BigChange and therefore the business and its people,” Jackiw continued. “As a result, we have made people’s jobs easier so we have less problems. Less problems means a happier team with a better mindset and this means a more productive workforce.”Jasen Jackiw, Managing Director and founder of Prymo

IN THIS BLOG WE’LL TALK THROUGH HOW EXACTLY SOFTWARE CAN HELP GAS ENGINEER BUSINESSES DELIVER EFFICIENCIES AND MEASURABLE ROI.

From scheduling to invoicing, gas engineers face challenges – such as managing jobs, coordinating with clients, and keeping track of paperwork. Not to mention trying to balance all these tasks while also providing high-quality service to your clients. 

👉That’s why gas engineers often turn to job management software.

In this blog, you can explore how software can help save time and money by streamlining operations. We’ll also provide real-world examples of gas engineers who have successfully implemented software in their business and seen significant time and cost savings as a result. 

If you’re looking to improve your efficiency and effectiveness as a gas engineer, keep reading to learn more about how gas engineer software can help.

INTRODUCTION TO GAS ENGINEER SOFTWARE

Gas engineer software is designed to assist gas engineers in managing and streamlining their business operations. It typically includes features such as job scheduling, invoicing, stock management, documentation management, and customer relationship management (CRM).

In short, the goal of this software is to help gas engineers save time and money by automating or simplifying various tasks and processes. 

It also helps improve customer service and communication with clients. 

Gas engineer software can be used by both individual gas engineers or by gas engineering companies to manage their operations more efficiently and effectively.

Pssst. BigChange is an example of a leading gas engineer software solution. You can read more about how we help plumbing and heating firms here.

THE TOP 4 BENEFITS OF USING GAS ENGINEER SOFTWARE

#1: Time savings

If there’s one thing gas engineers need more than anything else, it’s more time. ⌚

There are a number of ways the right software can save you time:

• Scheduling and dispatch: The right software can help you schedule and dispatch field engineers more efficiently by allowing you to view and manage jobs in one place. This reduces the time spent on manual scheduling and coordination tasks.
• Invoicing and billing: Gas engineer software automates invoicing and billing processes, making it easier for you to process payments and reduce the time spent on manual billing tasks.
• Document management: Easily manage important documents, such as service reports and invoices, in one central location. This can save time by eliminating the need to search through paper files or multiple different software systems. For example, the right software eliminates repetitive forms and instead allows engineers to verify and tick off all answers in one go.
• Customer comms: Communicate with customers more efficiently by sending updates and alerts via email or text message. This can help to reduce the time spent on phone calls and other manual communication methods.
• Inventory management: Gas engineer software even helps track and manage inventory more efficiently, by providing real-time visibility into stock levels and where stock is  and allowing you to place orders as needed. This can save time and reduce the risk of running out of critical parts or supplies.

#2: Cost savings

And one thing we all need more of this year is cost savings. 💰

Here are some of the ways gas engineer software can provide significant savings:

• Improved efficiency: By streamlining and automating various tasks and processes, the right software reduces the time and resources spent on admin tasks. This can lead to cost savings in terms of labour costs and other operational expenses.

• Reduced errors: Job management software reduces errors and improves accuracy in tasks such as billing and documentation management. This can help to reduce costs associated with correcting errors and improving efficiency.
• Stock control: With real-time visibility into stock levels you can place orders as needed. This can help to reduce costs associated with overstocking or running out of critical parts or supplies.
• Asset tracking: Gas engineer businesses can track and manage their field assets better thanks to real-time visibility into the location and status of these assets. Plus, they can even photograph assets as proof for customers or insurance purposes. This can help to reduce costs associated with loss or damage.

#3: Improved customer service

Keeping up with customer expectations is essential in this day and age. 🤝

The right software can improve customer service in a number of ways:

• Improved communication: Digital tools boost communication with customers by sending updates and alerts via email or text message. This reduces response times and improves the overall customer experience.
• Real-time updates: Similarly, you can provide real-time updates on the status of service requests, allowing customers to see when their request has been assigned to an engineer and when it is expected to be completed. This improves transparency and customer satisfaction.
• Self-service portals: Some solutions include self-service portals that allow clients to submit service requests and track progress online… As well as access their full job histories, job cards and certificates. This hugely improves convenience and speeds up the request process.
• Feedback and reviews: You can even use it to gather and manage customer feedback and reviews, giving you key insight to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes. This can help to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

#4: Improved bottom line

Last but not least, is the impact on the bottom line. 📈

Here are some of the ways gas engineer software improves the bottom line:

• Increased revenue: The right software will help you increase revenue by improving efficiency and productivity. For example, by reducing response times and improving the speed and accuracy of service delivery, you can take on more work and serve more customers.
• Improved business intelligence: Intelligent reporting provides financial information, such as work-in-progress (WIP) reports and profitability forecasts, whilst at-a-glance dashboards provide snapshot information of progress and availability.
• Improve cash flow: Get paid faster by updating jobs and issuing invoices on-the-go (or by automating them).

If you’re convinced of the benefit, you can find out more about the BigChange platform here. Trusted by 50,000 field service workers and back office personnel, BigChange is the leader in job management software.

Alternatively, let’s look at some real-world examples. 👇

REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES OF GAS ENGINEERS USING SOFTWARE TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY

Here are a few examples of real life results:

Gas Smart Heating boosts efficiency by 25%

Before moving to BigChange, Gas Smart had a tool in place, but it quickly proved to be insufficient: 

“Our old system was fine at the start, but as we began to recruit more engineers it was clearly not up to the job. What we really wanted was a single system that would do everything.”

“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,”

📕Read more about how Gas Smart significantly improved efficiencies here.

Heatforce boosts customer service and business performance 

Before using BigChange, Heatforce relied on several separate systems, spreadsheets and paper records that led to an enormous burden as the company expanded. 

“We were inundated with paper and with separate systems it was proving increasingly difficult to manage operations so we knew we needed to completely overhaul everything.”

“BigChange has completely transformed the way we work; having everything in one place with live information at our fingertips gives us a level of control way beyond our original expectations.”

📕You can read more about how BigChange transformed operations here. 

MHL heating engineers improve admin efficiency by 90%

In expanding nationally, MHL set out to outsource as many workflows as possible. Through BigChange, the company has transformed efficiency by as much as up to 90%. 

“Our engineers are connected in real time to receive and complete jobs, including digital certifications. For our clients, everything is completely seamless and with instant, fully digital reporting including photographs from site, we can meet even the most stringent reporting requirements, including those of facilities management who in turn have to report to their own clients.”

📕You can read more about MHL’s success here. 

CHOOSING THE BEST GAS ENGINEER SOFTWARE

While there are a few gas engineer software solutions out there, not every solution is built the same. Here are the best features to look out for:

• Is it an all in one solution? For example, does it include job tracking, invoicing, GPS tracking, and CRM?
• Can engineers update jobs in real-time via a mobile app? Check to make sure there is a mobile app and at the same time, make sure the tool is easy to use.
• Can it store gas safety documents (safely and securely)? Does it provide an easy to access digital library of COSHH certificates, safety documents, and more? 
• Does it automate essential workflows? For example, can it trigger alerts to notify engineers when new jobs arrive on their mobile device? And can it send customers notifications? 
• Can it streamline invoicing? And does it enable you to issue an invoice and job sheet as soon as the job is complete? Also check if it easily integrates with other systems, such as Xero. 
• Does it capture customer CRM data? Can you view customer quotes and invoices? And provide real-time engineer and job status updates? 

📕Related: How to choose the best gas engineer software. 

READY TO ADD GAS ENGINEER SOFTWARE TO YOUR TOOLKIT?

The right solution eliminates as many manual processes as possible from your day-to-day work, saving you precious time and effort. 

In short, the right software will pay for itself very quickly. 

To get started researching and comparing different options, seek recommendations from colleagues, and take advantage of demos offered by software vendors.

You can even book your first demo right now.