Enterprise Resource Planning

To ensure that the systems we use across our network are future-proofed, we’re implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system as our new core business operational tool. It provides accurate, real-time data about our assets and integrates our systems, resulting in process efficiencies and better decision-making.

Because the ERP replaces several separate legacy systems and integrates with others, we’ve been implementing it in phases. This has allowed us to start using and enjoying the benefits of it as we continue with the transition.

The ERP system is part of our ‘New Foundations’ programme which is designed to improve our overall business processes to drive efficiencies both for us, and our contractors.

Our ERP system includes:

• Copperleaf – an investment optimisation programme that helps us ensure we’re working on the right projects at the right time.
• Real-time integration with our new field tool, which is what field crews use when working on our assets to see and update information about our network
• Streamlining our fault management processes by connecting our outage and fault systems
• Upgrading our safety management system
• Upgrading our billing and customer management systems
• Data quality and management improvements. Our key ERP/asset management system holds and manages the data of all our assets, network, projects, pricing and billing. Having all this data in one place and available to a range of roles across our company means we can be confident in the quality of the data and that everyone is working to the same information.

Using the ERP system streamlines how we operate. By having accurate, real-time information about our assets, as well as systems that ‘talk’ to each other, enables our people to make the right decisions – whether in the field, when we’re planning maintenance work or when we’re making long-term investment decisions.

The end result is a more reliable network and better value for money for our customers.

Link to our glossary