As the business expanded, Dundee-based Coast Renewable Services needed field management software to match their growing needs – and Re-flow was the answer
Having delivered some of the largest onshore wind farms in the country, Coast Renewable Services are leading the way in the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy. Based in Dundee, they offer bespoke energy solutions, including pre-assembly and installation of turbines, servicing and maintenance of on-site equipment, and site management.
As the company grew, managing its operations became more complicated with every project, and this article explores how Coast went from strength to strength in part due to the transformative impact of a piece of field management software – Re-flow.
Finding new, more efficient ways of working
Coast Renewable Services wanted a software solution that could streamline processes into a single, convenient app.
They wanted to make the office workflow easier, tidy up their field processes and end their reliance on untailored solutions like spreadsheets and Word documents.
The aim was to take advantage of digital trends by streamlining other time-consuming issues (like keeping track of operatives’ certificates and certificate expiry dates during scheduling, for example) in a way that only field management software truly honed to their specific needs could manage.
Each company in big infrastructure has its own requirements and finding the ‘perfect’ piece of software can feel like a challenge, but the potential benefits to the company workflow inspired the search for one regardless.
The ideal operations software had a few headline needs, including the ability to:
- Track and record progression of individual operatives.
- Efficiently track certificates and qualifications.
- Record streamlined monthly vehicle/PPE checks configured to specific criteria.
- Record component inspections, including photographs of damage and other information.
- Build configurable forms.
- Boost compliance and auditability.
Coast tried out an alternative piece of software to Re-flow but found it was too complicated and lacked the ability to configure the software to their needs.
They already had some concerns that committing to a software solution wouldn’t be worth the upheaval, and this alternative didn’t help. It was too complex to set up and handle.
Why Re-flow was the right operations software solution
Coast Renewable Services found Re-flow online, called the software company and organised a demo and a trial.
During the demo, they were impressed by Re-flow’s ability to customise their forms to their exact criteria. There were other things they appreciated about the Re-flow software too:
- Integrated systems: Re-flow’s software consolidated all of Coast’s workflows into a single system. This integration eliminated the need for different spreadsheets, making communication and coordination between office staff and field technicians much simpler.
- User-friendly interface: The intuitive design of Re-flow’s app and dashboard ensured that both office and field staff could easily adapt to the new system. This user-friendly approach addressed Coast’s concerns about the complexity of previous software solutions.
- Configuration: Re-flow’s software is highly configurable and Coast Renewable Services were able to adjust the platform to their specific operational needs. Whether it was forms, setting up workflows or extracting reports, Re-flow provided the flexibility they needed.
- Efficiency boost: By streamlining processes and automating routine tasks, Re-flow saved staff time – freeing both office staff and field technicians to focus on more critical tasks.
- Real-time updates: Re-flow’s real-time data synchronisation ensured that all team members had access to the latest information whether they were in the office or out in the field. Managers had full oversight of the business, which enhanced decision making and improved response times.
Re-flow makes it easy to keep everyone up to date on the job
“With Re-flow, we can check which technicians are on which job,” Coast said.
“We can see the specific vehicle that technicians are taking out. We can digitally send them any work documents and site details required right to the app.
“As Coast Renewable Services expanded, the company wanted a software solution that could streamline processes into a single, convenient app.“
“Everything is to hand on their phones or tablets at all times. We also use the jobs section to keep track of communication. Then, working side by side with our accounts team, Re-flow allows us to send alerts to finance when we need to make quotes. It is a centralised place where we can store all details.”
The forms section also plays a crucial role in handling their daily paperwork requirements.
“One of the major improvements we’ve seen since using Re-flow is the optimisation of our timesheet process. In the past, technicians had to input their timesheet information into Excel spreadsheets, which was time-consuming and required access to laptops. That’s not the case any more.
“We use the forms section for PPE checks and vehicle checks. Beforehand, this was done in a Word document, where it was hard to keep track of everything. Now we use Re-flow for keeping records of all of our PPE and vehicles. We have most of our equipment and their serial numbers added into the system.
“We find the level of support really good. The Re-flow team are always quick to get back to us if we have any questions.”
Re-flow’s broad suite of uses, and the way the Re-flow team onboarded Coast and configured the software to the company’s specific needs, has led to an impressive partnership.
This success shows that Re-flow is a compelling software choice for operations managers looking to streamline their processes and to drive their businesses into the future in the healthiest and most competitive shape possible.
