Streamlining legacy meter exchange replacements

14 May 2021

Using Xugo’s web and mobile platform, United Energy’s (UE) office and field teams can easily track the installation of new smart meters and removal of legacy hardware while conducting condition and routine safety checks on existing connections.

Technician checking meters — Crew in the field using the Xugo app on a device.
Image courtesy of United Energy.

Since 2019, UE has been rolling out their legacy meter exchange program, upgrading old meters to new smart meters to homes that missed out in the initial Victorian Government initiative, AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) rollout.

UE implemented SFI's next generation SaaS platform Xugo, a works management software packed with advanced features for asset management, offline mobile data collection, real-time tracking and task management.

Xugo enables UE's Legacy Meter Exchange team to manage and track the installation of AMI and removal of old meters. The mobile platform is used by the field teams to track further works required to install, and conduct condition and routine safety checks on existing connections.

“We believe innovation is key to this smart meter rollout. Adopting the Xugo solution has already improved our processes, eliminating paperwork and manual tasks such as reducing effort to manage appointments and visits. Our field teams have more flexibility working in the field with all information at their fingertips and on the other hand, our internal teams are benefiting from greater work visibility. SFI was able to configure the solution in a matter of weeks, not months.”
Fari Sazegar, Legacy meter Exchange Project Manager @ United Energy

“We are truly delighted to have UE come on board with Xugo and are enjoying working with them to enhance their roll-out of the meter exchange program and to strengthen their engagement with their customers which aligns with their code of values and is intrinsic in enhancing their customer service.”

Matthew Croft
General Manager @ SFI

Adopting Xugo to help manage the program has enabled field teams to seamlessly and efficiently carry out and update the status of works – whilst in the field.

Xugo is used by multiple external Service Providers undertaking the meter exchange work on behalf of UE, and the deployment was straightforward with Xugo being made available from cloud app stores.

Xugo provides UE with an authoritative source, capable of managing, storing and maintaining the information critical to their entire program.

key benefits

An authoritative single source of truth

Capable of managing, storing and maintaining assets, tasks, transaction history, appointments, customer information, technical information and attachments (such as photographic evidence of meter reads and installs) etc.

Real-time progress reporting

Key stakeholders kept informed with visual dashboards and scheduled reports. The ability to track performance and fine-tune processes for ideal operational levels.

Improved schedule of works

Eliminates double appointment bookings, reduces multiple visits to premises and overall effort to manage appointments, allowing better resource planning.

Workflows have improved connectivity

Greater traceability across the program with clear records of who did what, where and when - increasing trust, transparency and control.

Field personnel appreciate ease of use

Work tasks, information and customer details are accessible and can be actioned wherever you are. Removing the need for printed paperwork, capturing data on paper and other manual processes. No more lost data and less risk of errors using Xugo.

Enhances customer service

All customer communications is in one place with greater traceability of customer engagement. Coordinated and timely communication means faster task completion.

Want to learn more about Xugo

With SFI's Xugo, you can make your operations more efficient with full overview of your asset management and condition monitoring activities - maintenance, faults, inspections, data capture; QA specific activities - inspections, safety, compliance; OHS Safety related - incident management, equipment & asset inspections. Get in touch and follow us on LinkedIn.