Why build an app for your business?
Today’s workforce is evolving rapidly and old systems are holding business back. Since the development of mobile apps, innovative corporations have taken the opportunity to mobilise their operations. As a result, they have seen internal processes transformed with efficient communication and real time data, which has instigated huge financial savings and a competitive advantage.
Companies with staff working on the field have particularly found mobile apps revolutionary. Paper admin is slow, inefficient and unreliable, whilst a bespoke app means workers can quickly fill in forms on site. The information captured on the app is delivered back to staff based at head office in real time and stored safely in the backend. Thus, a mobile app optimises efficiency, connects departments, and provides the company with live valuable analytical insights.
To discover more about how an app can accelerate your business, here is an in depth look at how Affinity Water used mobile technology to streamline complex business operations.
Introduction to the company
Affinity Water are the largest water-only supplier in the UK, supplying water for more than 130 years. They deliver more than 940 million litres of high-quality drinking water to their 3.5 million customers, every day.
The challenge
As a result of a new government lead initiative, water companies must now encourage customers to save water. In order to achieve water saving targets, Affinity Water’s contractor P.N Daly sought to optimise the efficiency of their logistics with a mobile app. With a relatively small team to book and perform the Home Water Savings Checks and a large number of properties to visit each day, the need to save time per job and create a slick, fast and efficient system was clear.
An Overview
Red C carried out three solutions. Firstly, we implemented a web-based administration portal to schedule installer appointments, enabling Affinity to efficiently coordinate their staff.
Secondly, we designed and developed an iPad app for Affinity staff to:
1. Book appointments.
2. Carry out home water saving checks.
3. Calculate the amount of water to be saved, and automatically send the customer a water saving report.
Thirdly, we designed a system to sync all data to a central database and visualise Key Performance Indicators via a dashboard in the web administration portal. This allows Affinity Water to gain valuable business insights which provide visibility to all staff members.
Coordinating staff within minutes
The web-based administration portal features a Booking Calendar which allows Affinity Water to view which installers are available at any given time, to assign jobs accordingly. The calendar has reduced administration time and has enabled the company to effectively coordinate a large workforce.
Working schedule automatically updated
Once appointments are booked via the app or directly through the web administration portal, the working schedule is updated to automatically set available appointment slots in the Calendar. This can be viewed in the appointments section of the web portal.
Goodbye lengthy admin times
Once at the appointment, the installer arrives with an iPad and checks into the job. They carry out an audit of the home, logging findings on the app. They select the free water saving products that are installed during the appointment, and these products are updated dynamically on the system. Using the water saving calculator feature on the app, the installer can demonstrate the amount of water the customer can expect to save. At the end of the appointment the customer can also choose to fill out a feedback form on the app if they wish. This data will upload in real time to update KPI dashboard.
Visualise key performance indicators
From the web-based administration portal, Affinity can view key performance indicators. This is visualised in the form of graphs and digestible statistics, enabling Affinity Water to quickly and effectively assess performance.
Improved customer communication
Once the appointment is logged in the system, customers are reminded of their upcoming appointment with three automated SMS’s that are sent directly from the web-based administration portal. This feature has reduced the amount of missed appointments.
Enterprise apps: The results
Affinity Water and many of our other clients alike have found that the introduction of an app benefited their business in a number of ways.
The app has streamlined Affinity Water’s processes by connecting staff and drastically cutting down admin time.
These new processes have been instrumental in not only creating an improved experience for Affinity Water employees, but also for their customers. By investing in an app, Affinity Water have set themselves apart from competition, creating a bespoke system that is a valuable business asset.
By using the app, the contractors have made significant cost savings and efficiencies, making the contract a lot more profitable for them. They have also used the app as a unique selling point in winning over other large contracts.
To find out more, please contact Red C Mobile:
www.red-c.co.uk
0203 397 9028
info@red-c.co.uk
