Clarity is a software system that is unique to PTSG. It was developed to streamline the administrative function which, to a company of the size of PTSG (with over 1,500 employees serving 20,000 customers), is huge.
For each project delivered for a client, a certificate of completion is issued, along with an invoice. Remedial works are also quoted, following a test and inspection of a particular piece of equipment – for example, a lightning protection system or a fall arrest system at a building.
Due to the size and multi-disciplinary nature of PTSG, which now has five different and ever-growing divisions, Clarity is being introduced area by area. It is now fully implemented in Cradle Maintenance (North and South), Fall Arrest Testing, Electrical Services (Lightning Protection), Electrical Services (PAT), Electrical Services (Fixed Wire Testing) and Contract Renewals for those divisions. It is also used on a daily basis by Service Delivery, Key Accounts and Credit Control and the ClarityPORTAL is used by many customers to view the documents that Clarity produces.
Before Clarity, handling very large quantities of paperwork was time-consuming and vulnerable to human error. Engineers would receive job packs in the post to their home address, which included blank worksheets, quotation sheets, drawings and a programme of work including specifications/ RAMS. This was inefficient and subject to loss of data on occasion.
Rather than employ more administrative staff to try and meet this ever-growing challenge, PTSG chose to go to the root of the issue and change the whole administrative culture through technological innovation.
Clarity has completely removed paperwork, enabling engineers and office staff to work far more efficiently with a mobile and a cloud-based system that inform each other – and the client – of the progress of each job.
Clients now automatically receive order confirmations, email booking requests and attendance notifications, plus worksheet(s) and provisional certificates on the same day, along with their invoices.
Clarity has transformed the speed and efficiency with which its staff can communicate with clients to confirm notifications of maintenance appointments. Clients then receive an email confirmation of the scheduled maintenance visit date, time and engineer’s details. This is followed immediately by notification of order acknowledgements.
Engineers now have the ability to undertake a maintenance visit and to be able to send their observations and recommendations electronically to PTSG’s IT hub, where it can be processed within hours.
Clients then receive electronic copies of the engineers work reports, defects sheets(where applicable) certificates, invoices and quotations for remedial works (where applicable) within 48 hours or less following the completed.
Awards
PTSG is currently shortlisted in the New Civil Engineer’s TechFest Awards 2021 for Clarity, in the Best Use of Technology: Site Productivity category.
NCE TechFest attracts entrants from the entire construction industry, including clients, contractors, consultants, architects, leading technology providers, innovators and start-ups. Technology is becoming more important and widely used than ever, particularly with COVID.
In 2018, PTSG won the Premises and Facilities Management award for Achievement in Facilities Technology for Clarity. This award recognised the growing importance of technology solutions that lead to greater business efficiency.