Castle FM is a facilities management company based in Knutsford, Cheshire.
The business specialises in energy management, including electrical maintenance, LED lighting, boilers and heating – all delivered by a team of 60 employees.
BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
Castle FM is an established business with an experienced professional workforce of electricians and engineers. The front line team services customers across the UK and Ireland, undertaking projects, planned maintenance and reactive work, to deliver a range of facility management services.
In 2016, the Castle FM management team identified a need to improve how they were monitoring workloads, whilst better supporting operatives. It needed to do this in a way that would enable business growth, whilst maintaining efficiencies and delivering the exemplary service levels that customers had come to expect.
They also needed to manage jobs and suppliers from a central system that could be accessed by the whole team.
Finally, the business required external access to its accounting system – a system that had historically only been accessible in the office.
FIRST STEPS
Castle FM first approached inTec Business Solutions in July 2016, looking for a technology-led solution to these issues. At the outset, inTec met with key members of the team to carry out a ‘Discovery Session’.
This enabled inTec to get to grips with the business and develop a deeper understanding of business requirements. Following the session, inTec advised on a number of key areas where investment in technology would benefit the business.
What’s more, inTec was able to future-proof the proposal by offering a fully scalable solution – technology that can grow with the business.
SOLUTIONS
After capturing Castle FM’s requirements and fully mapping their working processes, inTec sourced the best and most cost-effective services and set about delivering a bespoke package of technology solutions.
The solution included:
- Implementation of a job management solution based on E Works Manager software;
- Delivery of Xero Accounting Software linking API into E Works;
- Selection of tablet devices for operatives, with insurance;
- End-to-end device configuration and tracking;
- Data tariff sourcing, based on application usage;
- Application configuration;
- Employee training.
Each element of the delivery was successfully rolled out, packaged as one single job management solution. The project was delivered in November 2016.
OUTCOMES & BENEFITS
The Castle FM workforce was involved at each step of design and implementation. This approach ensured early adoption and user uptake – which was crucial in order to demonstrate value and deliver a clear return on investment.
By delivering a solution that allows Castle FM to manage high demand from customers, whilst enabling operatives to work more efficiently on the go, the business has trebled productivity levels. With the technology in place, the Castle FM management team has better visibility into ongoing workloads, so they can plan more effectively.
For the team on the road, processes are streamlined which helps with job allocation, time sheets and expenses – increasing employee morale and productivity levels.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
inTec delivered an end-to-end solution that enabled the business to do more, without having to increase administrative headcount. The technology we put in place brings together a number of integrated services, all centred around the core delivery of state of-the-art job management software, with E Works Manager.
Ken Newbiggin, Managing Director, said:
“It was a big decision to change our systems but we immediately saw the benefits. Our team has been able to cope with an increased workload and we’ve also reduced pressure on our back office. The technology implemented by inTec has changed the way we work for the better and we’ve been really pleased with the outcome – especially the increase in productivity.”
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