Jul 15, 2014 -- UK Power Networks, which serves a quarter of the UK’s population with its electricity distribution network, is investing more than £1million in mobile mapping technology and support from Sigma Seven to help optimise its fieldwork activities.

UK Power Networks is adopting Sigma Seven’s GeoField software to deliver mobile access to mapping and asset data to enable its 2,500 field engineers to perform maintenance, connections, repairs and inspections more effectively for its 170,000 kilometres of power lines. GeoField will help UK Power Networks ensure that eight million homes and businesses in London, the South East and East Anglia receive a safe, secure and sustainable power supply.

Specialists in the delivery of spatially-enabled mobile solutions, Sigma Seven will begin rolling out GeoField later this year and the software will be used by field engineers on rugged field computers. In the first instance, GeoField will be integrated to UK Power Networks’ GE Smallworld GIS and SAP Asset Management systems providing the field engineers with the ability to view and update GIS and asset data electronically at the point of action. It alleviates the need for field engineers to carry and use printed maps.

The deployment of GeoField forms an integral part of UK Power Networks’ Business Transformation Programme (BTP) to enhance all operational processes and related IT systems across the organisation by connecting Enterprise data to the field environment. Sigma Seven will provide around-the-clock support for the system, ensuring that field workers are able to access it anytime of day or night.

Liam O’Sullivan, programme director for the BTP, said: “Mobile working forms an integral part of the business transformation process that we are currently undertaking. It will provide more real-time, up-to-date network information to our colleagues in the field, ensuring that they are able to do their work in a much more informed and productive way.  This is turn will ensure that UK Power Networks can offer an increased level of service to our customers.’’

“We decided to work with Sigma Seven due to the ease of use and functionality offered by GeoField and also because of its specialist knowledge through working with so many of the UK’s leading utility providers.”

Paul Reid, managing director of Sigma Seven, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by UK Power Networks to play a significant role in its transformation project. We look forward to working with the company’s team to make the most of its significant investment in enterprise systems by providing the tools they need to enable their work at the point of action.

“GeoField will help UK Power Networks optimise the service it delivers to its customers, stakeholders and maintain operational efficiencies across its networks. UK Power Networks joins our considerable list of customers in the utilities sector whose mobile workforces and mapping needs are met by the GeoField suite of solutions.”

GeoField will initially be integrated into UK Power Networks’ enterprise systems including GE Smallworld GIS and SAP. It will provide a flexible platform for the delivery of other enterprise mobility programmes in the future.

UK Power Networks is the latest organisation to join Sigma Seven’s growing list of customers in the utilities sector. Customers include Scottish Power, Northern Powergrid, Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, Bristol Water, Scottish Water, South East Water, Wales & West Utilities and Western Power Distribution.