Field service application for electricity company

The electricity company’s
IT challenge

The electricity company faced the challenge of replacing a business-critical system: a mobile app used by technicians to install and maintain measuring equipment. The existing application was designed for industrial handheld devices. However, the manufacturer discontinued their production, and the operating system was no longer supported. Instead of solely modernizing this app, the energy company sought a long-term solution to meet all its mobile needs.

The solution

Following a thorough evaluation of platform providers, the company chose HCL Volt MX because it best aligned with their current and future mobile needs. Leveraging HCL Volt MX, they developed a new iPhone app that grants technicians access to the SAP IS-U work management system. Technicians have the ability to work offline, and upon reconnecting, all data collected in the field is automatically synchronized with SAP IS-U. Additionally, the app integrates with Apple Maps to display work order locations on a map.

The approach

A crucial element for success was the active participation of employees throughout the entire development process. The project team organized workshops to gather user input and understand their preferences for the app. Users were also engaged in field trials to evaluate different device types and coverage options. Furthermore, local implementation teams were set up to provide users with a dedicated point of contact, ensuring they remained well-informed and had the opportunity to seek clarification or ask questions.

The result

Approximately 300 technicians replaced bulky handheld devices with smartphones and a modern app. Upon logging in, they can quickly see their initial assignments, and the daily schedule is continuously optimized. Technicians utilize the phone's camera for scanning barcodes on meters, among other tasks. They can also update meter coordinates and capture installation data using the app. The fast data synchronization is particularly valued by the technicians.

Let’s move forward together

Every organization has its own unique processes that cannot be accommodated by off-the-shelf software solutions. That's why we specialize in developing tailor-made software that perfectly aligns with your business operations. With the power of low-code, we accelerate the development process, enabling your organization to work smarter and more efficiently.

"With the new app, synchronization takes a second or two, and the process runs in the background."
The program managerof the electricity company

The power of HCL Volt MX

"As one of the leading utilities in Ireland, servicing more than two million customers, we needed a mobile solution that our field technicians could rely on to help streamline work orders and improve overall efficiency," says the program manager of the electricity company. "We turned to HCL and the HCL Volt MX platform to help mobilize our field services because data is very important in our industry and the solution offered the data synchronization accuracy and timeliness we needed."

"With the old hand-held devices, a technician initiated the synchronization process manually, and it would take 5 to 6 minutes to complete," the program manager continues. "During that time, the devices could not be used for anything else." Now, synchronization is a matter of seconds. And if the device is out of network range, the data is stored and sent when a connection is available.