Edinburgh technology company, Sigma Seven, has successfully completed the first of two phases of a significant £350K contract with Kent-based utility company, South East Water. Some of the UK’s largest technology businesses tendered for the prestigious three-year contract.
South East Water, which supplies drinking water to 2.1 million customers across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, from 250 boreholes and wells, 96 water treatment works, 197 service reservoirs and through more than 14,500 kilometres of water mains, is half way through a five-year, £390 million programme to further enhance its operations. They appointed mapping technology specialists, Sigma Seven, to create, develop and implement a solution that is consistent with the South East Water vision for the use of geographic and business information.
Sigma Seven created a solution based on its product, GeoField, which uses state-of-the-art technology to bring data together from a number of sources, allowing field workers to access files, collect and manage data, organise tasks and record information directly onto digital maps, either on a tablet or a laptop. This enables Sigma Seven’s clients to reduce costs, risk and waste; increase efficiency and improve standards.
The main focus of the initial work for South East Water was on providing a platform to support mobile map viewing and on-site data capture. The solution will be rolled out to 129 South East Water field technicians, which will enable them to collect and annotate vital data on the map wherever they are. The scheme encompasses the location of water supplies, leaks and faults, new water connections, areas for repair and potential health and safety issues. Field technicians will also receive and transmit near-real-time data updates from field to office, which allows them to inform and be informed of crucial events as they arise.
The software has streamlined field technicians’ working practices. For instance, if a leak inspection is required, the system helps the field technician find the leak and affected pipe on the map, and the process ensures that an inspection is carried out based on the latest available information. The appropriate data is collected on site, photographs taken and remedial work recommended, all of which are sent wirelessly to the office.
Sigma Seven managing director, Paul Reid, said:- “We have now delivered the system for final testing, meeting all project deadlines. The final phase of the project, which will take place later this year will be to extend the use of the system to support improved outage management and design of customer connections in the field.”
Mr Reid added: “Demand is increasing for mobile mapping technology, from a wide range of organisations, indicating that integrated field work management solutions on digital mapping are becoming standard practice. Our product, GeoField, is leading the way and this contract further confirms our position as the mobile working solutions provider of choice for utilities and other businesses.”
David Bradley, Asset Information Manager at South East Water, added:- “Sigma Seven has developed a system that wholly complements our vision for improving the way we use geographic and business information.
“GeoField comprises a broad range of functions that have been tailored to suit our specific business requirements, including processes which integrate with our mobile work and asset management system.”
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