BigChange boosts Sapphire’s productivity by 100% on multi-million-pound water contract

Posted on 16 June 2022 by Martin Port

Sapphire Utility Solutions is using the latest field service technology to transform the delivery of water network services to its customers.

Supplied by BigChange, the new job management platform has allowed Sapphire to significantly reduce administration, with efficiency gains in the back office and field, and achieve a 100 per cent rise in productivity.

The complete system, which sees field engineers equipped with mobile devices for real-time reporting, is also helping deliver client critical milestones, manage risk on street works liabilities and assure a right-first-time approach.

Sapphire initially selected BigChange to support its recently awarded Severn Trent Water Network Operations Support Services contract, which delivers vital water maintenance services on behalf of four million homes and businesses across the Midlands and mid-Wales.

Colin Kelly, Partner and Managing Director of Sapphire Utility Solutions commented, “We recognise that we are delivering essential services to customers and we are focused on being a catalyst for change by introducing new thinking, innovation and technology, such as BigChange to provide a better customer experience”

Using the BigChange job management platform, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling , live tracking , field resource management , job finance and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy-to-integrate platform, Sapphire has realised a number of operational and management benefits. BigChange allows the right resources to be scheduled for each job and also tracks jobs on a real-time basis. Savings in administration have been achieved and the platform supports remote working enabling a 24/7/365 operation.

Real-time monitoring also enables Sapphire to jeopardy manage works through constraints and alerts allowing client critical milestones to be met.

“We selected BigChange as it was easy to use, highly configurable and intuitive, and this decision has been borne out by how quickly it has been embraced by both field and back-office staff,” added Mo Dawood, Director of IT at Sapphire Utility Solutions.

“By making sure teams are where they are needed, at the right time with all the information they need, BigChange has boosted morale and aided staff retention. The results we have achieved have exceeded expectations and we are looking forward to replicating this in other areas of the business and on other contracts.”
Mo Dawood, Director of IT at Sapphire Utility Solutions

Since its foundation in 2013, Sapphire has quickly become a trusted name in the utility industry, providing a wide range of services for the water, wastewater, telecoms and gas infrastructure sectors.

Novex FM Eyes Nationwide Expansion with BigChange

Posted on 10 May 2022 by Martin Port

Facilities management start-up, Novex FM, has turned to field service management software from BigChange to underpin major expansion plans. The Manchester-based FM company launched last year providing project management, repairs and preventative maintenance services to residential and student properties, and private landlords. Using the all-in-one job management platform from BigChange, Novex is now launching a full range of FM services, nationwide, confident its automated, streamlined workflows and reporting will future-proof the business as it continues to grow.

“As an experienced project manager, every contractor I have ever worked with that has shown up on time, did the work they said they would and invoiced correctly, had one thing in common, and that was BigChange,” said Ben Ousey, Operations Manager at Novex FM. “So, when we started Novex it was a no brainer – we had to have BigChange.”

Using the BigChange job management platform, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, job finance and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, Novex has complete visibility of the business, at any time, from any web-enabled device. With just a couple of clicks, the Novex management team can get reports on outstanding quotes, missed opportunities and unpaid invoices, as well as a complete breakdown of costs per job.

“With BigChange, everything is in one place,” Ousey added.

“I have all the information I need, at my fingertips, so I know that as we expand, we have the workflows and management processes in place. I am also confident that the BigChange community, including the Collaboration Network, will play a significant role in our continued growth.”
Ben Ousey, Operations Manager, Novex FM

Novex FM is a facilities management company run by property managers. From project planning through to delivery of landscaping, cleaning, redecoration, repair and refurbishment services, Novex prides itself on exceptional customer experience. Novex has access to a nationwide network of specialist staff and skilled contractors it can call on to expand its service offering and geographical coverage.

“With BigChange there is no such thing as can’t,” he continued. “Not only do the tools they provide mean ‘we can’, they also provide unrivalled support. Between the BigChange University tutorials, the extensive YouTube content and the 24/7 RoadCrew support team, BigChange has given us the skills and the confidence to take our business to the next level.”

BigChange helps Dyno-Rod do the job

Posted on 20 April 2022 by Martin Port

Dyno-Rod has revolutionised the provision of drain cleaning services in the Republic of Ireland following the implementation of field service management software from BigChange. The only operator with full national coverage, Dyno-Rod selected BigChange to help it transition to paperless working and improve operational efficiency.

Using the BigChange platform, Dyno-Rod is already saving a day a week in the administrative resource it requires to run its team of mobile service engineers whilst more efficient job scheduling and tracking has boosted capacity and profitability, helping to strengthen the business and support growth.

“BigChange has been a real eye opener,” commented Sam Crowley, Managing Director of Dyno-Rod’s Cork office. “I have never introduced new software or new working practices that has not been met with some degree of scepticism by the workforce. But with BigChange its different. I think it’s because everyone, from field-based engineers to back-office staff and management, can see how it makes their job easier.

“Before BigChange we had disparate systems and processes that were not joined-up and didn’t communicate. With BigChange we have one system that does everything,”
Sam Crowley, Managing Director at Dyno-Rod Ireland

“With intelligent job allocation and real time tracking we can take on more jobs per person per day and react, in real-time, to changing schedules if something unexpected crops up. All our paperwork has been replaced with easy to fill in digital forms which means we capture the right information at the right time and can share it instantly with the right people. This means no more lost jobs sheets, no customer queries we can’t answer and no missed invoices.”

Dyno-Rod has been operated by the Crowley family since 1975 and provides 24/7 emergency response to residential, commercial and industrial premises. Dyno-Rod implemented the BigChange platform, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, job finance and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, at the start of the pandemic when homeworking was first mandated.

“The BigChange team were amazing introducing the solution in bite-size, easy to digest chunks, and as we have rolled out the functionality, from simple tracking and vehicle checks to integrated job scheduling, reporting and invoicing, they have been with us at every step.” continued Crowley.

“BigChange University means we can get new staff up and running in no time and, unlike other software companies, BigChange is open and reactive to feedback.”
Sam Crowley, Managing Director at Dyno-Rod Ireland

Capital Launches Nationwide Facilities Support Service using BigChange Platform

Posted on 13 April 2022 by Martin Port

Capital, a specialist cleaning and facilities management company, has deployed BigChange field service management software to launch a new nationwide outsource service. Providing support to other facilities management companies that need to boost their field service capacity or businesses that require additional resources or skills, Capital’s Service Team will help with a range of tasks including office moves, regular cleaning, site inspections, equipment installations and audits. Using the integrated job management platform from BigChange, Capital can take online bookings, schedule work, report on completed tasks and issue invoices.

“We like to think of our Service Team as the business equivalent of the A-Team – if you have a problem, if no-one else can help, you can hire the Capital Team,” commented Eddie Tomlins, owner of Capital. “But Service Team was inspired not by a TV programme but by BigChange. Without BigChange we wouldn’t have thought of the idea and we certainly couldn’t have delivered it.”

Capital was originally established as Capital Computer Care in the 1980’s offering equipment installation, maintenance, cleaning, testing and decommission of PCs, data centres and server rooms. To aid service delivery Capital used a multitude of different processes including a standalone CRM, multiple Excel spreadsheets, a vehicle tracking system, paper field reports and a manual invoicing system.

“Before discovering BigChange we used a hotchpotch of different systems which meant everything took longer, was harder to control and was susceptible to human error”
Dave Usher, Director of Capital

“Also, it was a challenging time for the business. We had been growing organically for around 30 years, but we had not invested in our business’s processes or the future evolution of the business. We needed a complete rethink as to how we ran the business and the type of services we offered,” added Dave.

Capital selected the BigChange job management solution, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, job finance and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, following an independent review of available systems. Initially attracted by a cloud-only solution, Capital was also impressed with the range of functionality, competitive pricing and evolving application lifecycle.

Since implementing BigChange, Capital has transformed its business by identifying and launching new revenue streams and expanding the operation in terms of service offering and geographical coverage. The integrated CRM and scheduling are saving hours of admin resource every month whilst digital worksheets, complete with photographs, are improving customer satisfaction.

Capital also uses BigChange to manage UK wide stock levels, moving essential supplies between operatives at a time when supply chains faced unprecedented difficulties. The BigChange report and alert functionality is saving management time with automated reminders and notifications of a host of event or date driven actions including MOTs, contract renewals or vehicles using toll roads or entering charging zones.

“BigChange has already saved us literally hundreds and hundreds of hours in management and admin time and continues to do so”
Dave Usher, Director of Capital

“We have streamlined our business in terms of expenditure and productivity but have still maintained the highest levels of customer service and satisfaction,” continued Usher.

“I am convinced that had we not invested in BigChange we would not have been able to make the changes required to our systems, processes and personnel, to continue trading. So, we would not be around today, especially if you factor in the additional impact on the business of COVID,” Tomlins concluded. “We also know that BigChange will continue to evolve with new features offered on a regular basis so will be around to support us for many years to come!”

Capital Launches Nationwide Facilities Support Service using BigChange Platform

BigChange sets FM entrepreneur apart from competition

Posted on 6 April 2022 by Martin Port

BigChange field service management software is helping facilities management start-up Urban Maintenance achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Out-performing larger competitors in customer service reviews, Urban Maintenance adopted the BigChange platform to automate workflows across its operation from job allocation to completion reporting. Working for individual householders up to FTSE 250 professional landlords, BigChange gives Urban Maintenance 24/7 visibility of the mobile operation allowing for prompt resolution of customer queries, efficient response to emergency call-outs and improved workforce health and safety.

“I established Urban Maintenance mid-pandemic when I was unable to take up a job offer abroad and opportunities in the domestic FM market were limited,” commented Nathan Yates, Managing Director of Urban Maintenance. “With nearly a decade’s experience in property management, I understood the complexities of running a lettings agency, the legalities of block management and the pitfalls of insurance claims. I also knew the importance of making sure that Doris at number 9 is happy and that her landlord knows it!

“That’s where BigChange has had a huge impact on the business,” he continued. “From a one-man-band start-up, Urban Maintenance is well en route to becoming a successful scale-up and BigChange has played an integral part.”

“Using BigChange we have automated our reporting, so our customers, and their tenants, know what is going to happen when it’s going to happen and if it doesn’t happen why! It’s this efficient and timely communication that sets us apart from other service providers.”
Nathan Yates, Managing Director of Urban Maintenance

Urban Management provides a range of domestic and commercial property management services including plumbing, joinery, decorating and cleaning. Following a recommendation from an established FM operator and existing user of BigChange, Urban Management implemented the job management solution, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, job finance and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, to support its ambitious growth plans. By demonstrating its commitment to customer service using BigChange, Urban Management has secured several high-value contracts and is continuously hiring to ensure it has the capacity to meet growing demand.

“We are still at the early stages of our BigChange journey, and I know there is so much more the platform can do,” continued Yates. “I am keen to customise elements of the system to meet our exacting requirements and implement additional reporting and financial management and, with the support of the BigChange team, we will achieve it.”

BigChange Fires Business Growth for AinsCo

Posted on 30 March 2022 by Martin Port

AinsCo Fire and Security is using BigChange field service management software to drive business growth. The company designs, supplies, installs and maintains bespoke fire and security systems working alongside organisations such as the NHS, Network Rail, Alstom Transport, Mersey Rail and Light Cinemas. Using the cloud-based platform, AinsCo has made efficiency gains across the board, reduced operational costs and improved customer service.

“Since implementing BigChange we have achieved many wins that, when we look at the bigger picture, have had a massive impact on the business overall,” commented Dan Ainscough, Operations and Finance Manager at Wirral-based AinsCo Fire and Security.

“We have reduced our carbon footprint, made efficiency savings across sales, operations and finance, reduced call-out rates and increased first-time fixes. We have lowered our costs and charges, whilst improving the service we provide and the protection we offer.”
Dan Ainscough, Operations and Finance Manager, AinsCo Fire and Security

AinsCo Fire and Security, formerly M P Electronic Fire and Security, turned to BigChange when it was looking to invest in technology as part of a major rebranding exercise. Prior to this, the Wirral-based company had used industry-specific software that required in-house servers to run and offered little visibility and even less automation of processes. AinsCo reviewed several solutions before selecting BigChange basing its decision on system capabilities, user-friendliness, and the ability to customise.

“Most of the systems we considered had a focus on sales and marketing and, like our old system, were very defined and restrictive,” continued Ainscough. “Our focus was on system functionality, and we knew we needed the ability to tailor the solution to meet our specific requirements. BigChange met all our benchmarking criteria, and the support and training were fantastic. We now feel we own our system rather than the other way round!”

Since implementing the complete job management solution, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, job finance and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, AinsCo has achieved a number of milestones in the management of its mobile operation. AinsCo uses the BigChange CRM to streamline new client onboarding resulting in efficiency savings across sales, operations and finance. All AinsCo vehicles are tracked giving real-time visibility and intelligence to respond to reactive jobs and the introduction of automated van stock has resulted in an increase in first-time fix rates.

BigChange is also helping AinsCo introduce new working practices and reporting processes with improved health and safety monitoring, including COVID risk assessments and method statements, job completion reports, complete with photographs, daily job cards and contactless sign-offs.

“BigChange has allowed us to streamline our business and has been instrumental in allowing us to scale up our operation whilst still maintaining the high levels of customer service we demand and our customers expect.”
Dan Ainscough, Operations and Finance Manager, AinsCo Fire and Security

“As a family business we are only as strong as our relationships, and we value BigChange, and the team behind it, as a key relationship that has already contributed to our success and will continue to positively impact the future of our business, ” Ainscough concluded.

BIgChange customer AinsCo desktop office shot

Quora Group Grows with BigChange

Posted on 17 March 2022 by Martin Port

A leading provider of mechanical and electrical building services says a new job management system is helping it to win more business. Founded in 2005, Quora Group works nationwide with a range of clients across the public and private sector. The £10 million turnover company operates a fleet of more than 20 Ford Transit Custom vans for its mobile engineers. Quora uses the BigChange field service management software which it says is enabling it to win new public sector tenders.

Craig Firth, director and co-founder of Quora Group, said, “BigChange is definitely a sales tool for us and has helped us to grow the business. We work primarily in the public sector, with contracts predominantly in healthcare and education. In these environments, there is a high level of compliance and documentation required. BigChange enables us to offer a far higher level of service in terms of digitised, evidence-based compliance and reporting than a company that still uses a paper-based system. It has been a big advantage for us in terms of winning and delivering these public sector contracts.”

The North Tyneside company started out in 2005 servicing and installing gas boilers but has grown from a father and son operation into a thriving business with more than 50 direct employees. “Part of that growth has been down to BigChange,” added Craig. “We use it across three of our four divisions, and it has helped us scale quickly. It is a simple product to use but it has so many functions and our clients love it.”

Quora uses BigChange in its electrical, service and maintenance, and water treatment divisions. A complete, simple to use and easy to integrate platform bringing together customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, job finance and business intelligence, BigChange allows for all job scheduling and reporting to be done digitally, eliminating the need for mobile engineers to visit the office to pick up or drop off job cards. Rugged PDAs are also used to record job completion, including photographic evidence.

“The ability to adapt the worksheets is a great feature of the software,” said Craig. “We have just won a big contract for a local authority, and that includes specific documentation that they want us to use. I can create a worksheet in BigChange and provide them with a document that is exactly what they want.”

Quora also uses live tracking for its emergency call-out service. “We have service level agreements that require us to respond to emergencies within a certain time frame,” said Craig.

“With BigChange we can see the locations of the engineers in real-time, identify the person who is closest and has the right skill set to respond to the call-out, then inform the client with an accurate ETA.”
Craig Firth, director and co-founder of Quora Group

Quora Group has three ISO accreditations: 9001 (quality management), 14001 (environmental management), and 45001 (health and safety). BigChange has helped it achieve all three. “As part of our ISO management system we use BigChange to monitor and measure the greenhouse gas emissions from our vehicles,” added Craig. “It also helps with our health and safety management, because we can easily provide evidence that we have done what we said we were going to do.”

BigChange Digitisation Transforms Faelsafe Fire and Life Safety

Posted on 10 March 2022 by Martin Port

Faelsafe Life Safety, the national fire and life safety company, has transformed its business using BigChange field service management software. Since implementing the cloud-based platform, Faelsafe has reduced its administrative resource, eliminated paper from its mobile operation and improved the efficiency of engineers working across mainland UK.

Working directly for organisations such as Stoke and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, Wooltex and Smurfitt Kappa, Faelsafe specialises in the installation and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems, Fire Extinguisher supply and maintenance, fire safety equipment and through its sister company Faelsafe Electrical, commercial electrical works, specialising in sprinkler plant rooms.

“Our motto is ‘don’t fael to be safe’ yet we were ‘faeling’ to secure the future of the business by not investing to succeed,” commented Andrew Hutchinson, Director of Faelsafe. “Despite having job management software, we were still producing paper worksheets and reports, in triplicate, and having to wait for engineers to return to base before we could process them. This was labour intensive, resulted in delays in invoicing and meant dealing with customer queries was virtually impossible.

“Since implementing BigChange we have slashed our administrative resource, we have removed every filing cabinet from the office, eliminated delays in invoicing and query resolutions and improved the efficiency of our engineers.”
Andrew Hutchinson, Director of Faelsafe

Headquartered in Leeds, Faelsafe made the move to BigChange following a recommendation from its IT support company. The complete job management solution, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, financial management and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, has helped Faelsafe remove paper from its job allocation and reporting workflows.

Engineers are automatically allocated work and completion reports, including photographs and customer signatures, which are digitally captured, stored and shared with the back-office operation. Route scheduling and live tracking is also helping Faelsafe optimise the use of mobile engineers reducing time spent travelling between jobs.

Additional aspects of the BigChange system that are helping Faelsafe improve service levels include the online library, which it uses to store information pertaining to specific customer sites and equipment, and customisable worksheets which are used to allocate health and safety checks such as PPE and equipment.

“BigChange supports our ambition to be a forward-thinking business,” concluded Hutchinson. “As it is truly cloud-based every member of the team can access and share the information they need, when they need it and from wherever they are, which positively impacts the service we provide every single day.”

BigChange Supports Expansion for Welsh Heating Engineers

Posted on 23 February 2022 by Martin Port

Morgans Plumbing and Heating has grown its business by more than 600 percent since implementing BigChange field service management software. Using BigChange, Morgans has achieved the highest levels of automation with the platform underpinning every aspect of the business including workforce management, customer communications, reporting and invoicing.

BigChange has also removed the need for home-based engineers to visit head office on a regular basis with digital job sheets, automated scheduling and up-to-the-minute stock control, saving Morgans both man-hours and mileage.

“Right from the outset I knew the only way to grow the business sustainably was with automation, and BigChange ticked that box and more,” commented Steven Morgan, Director of Morgans Plumbing and Heating.

“Before BigChange we were little more than a one-man band, with paper worksheets and no control of workflows, stock or costs. We now cover mid and north Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire and have plans to expand further up the west coast to Scottish borders and further down into south Wales and the Cotswolds. This ambitious expansion simply wouldn’t be possible without BigChange.”

Morgans is a Gas Safe and OFTEC registered, and Worcester Bosch accredited, family-run business, which installs, services and repairs all oil, gas and LPG appliances. Based in Welshpool, Morgans specialises in boilers – gas oil and LPG, can provide expert advice for oil tank, planning, installing and maintaining, and are on hand 24/7 for all emergency plumbing requirements.

Morgans selected BigChange after an exhaustive market review of available solutions during which different packages were benchmarked against an extensive wish list of requirements. Having been using the job management solution, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, financial management and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, for some time, Morgans is under no illusion as to the important role the platform has had in the business’ geographical expansion and positive customer feedback evidenced with consistent 5-star reviews.

“BigChange has been a critical part of our success so far,” continued Morgan.

“It saves us time and money every single day allowing us to focus on what we do best – which is being available to deliver the highest service possible, in the shortest amount of time and with the tools and stock we need to do the job.”

Find out how BigChange can help your business, book a free consultation today. Get more helpful guides and tips delivered to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter below. You can keep up to date with BigChange on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Access Innovations Achieves 70 Per Cent Reduction in Paper with BigChange

Posted on 9 February 2022 by Martin Port

BigChange field service management software is helping commercial and industrial door specialist Access Innovations reduce paper consumption by more than 70 per cent.

Using the BigChange platform, the West Midlands company has also reduced the resource required to manage its field service operation and has improved customer service with automatic job scheduling, reporting and invoicing. Responsible for around 20,000 doors, Access Innovations uses BigChange to improve workforce health and safety with daily vehicle and driver checks, live vehicle tracking and online access to risk assessments and method statements.

“As well as reducing our environmental impact through a massive reduction in the paper we consume, BigChange has also had a positive impact on other aspects of the business,” commented John Lunt, Operations Director at Access Innovations. “The back-office resource required to record, schedule and report on jobs has been reduced, which in turn results in better service for our customers. I even had one client email me saying ‘give us a chance’ having received completion reports, including photos, and the invoice, all within 5 minutes of the engineer finishing on-site!”

Access Innovations install, repair, service and maintain manual doors, fire doors, automatic doors, rapid action doors, roller shutters, fire shutters, sectional doors, manual and automatic traffic barriers, manual and automatic gates. Operating across the West Midlands and London, Access Innovations also supply and fit security fencing, bollards and crash barriers as well as dock levellers, dock shelters and dock bumpers.

Access Innovation selected BigChange to replace an existing job control system. Since implementing the complete job management solution, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, financial management and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, Access Innovations has recorded significant improvements in the workflows used to record, schedule, complete and report on routine service and ad-hoc maintenance tasks. Access Innovations is also planning to expand its use of BigChange with increased use of the CRM functionality which it hopes will support the continued growth of the company.

“When we were looking for a new system, we identified a number of possible suppliers and requested on-site presentations but only 2 agreed to come and see us,” Lunt continued. “BigChange didn’t just sell their system to the management they communicated the benefits to the users, and they made the decision. Since that day the support we have had from BigChange has been excellent.”