Case study

BC Hydro's Fleet Management Transformation with FleetWave

By Ellen Sowerby
04 October 2024

Industry: Utilities

Fleet Size: 3,500 + Vehicles  

Asset Count: 4000 + pieces of equipment

Region: British Colombia, Canada

Customer Since: 2015

 

Background

BC Hydro, a leading energy provider in British Columbia, Canada, generates and delivers electricity to 95% of the province’s population. Serving over five million people, BC Hydro has been committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable clean energy. Since 2015, they have relied on FleetWave to help manage their extensive fleet operations.

BC Hydro’s fleet supports all of the company’s departments, including vehicles like bucket trucks, diggers, and equipment such as forklifts, trailers, and more. With nearly 4,000 assets under management, FleetWave has become an essential tool for ensuring smooth operations across the board. Tracy Hill, Business Operations Manager, shared her insights on how FleetWave has played a crucial role in maintaining their mission to provide dependable power to British Columbians.

 

 

Challenge

Before implementing FleetWave, BC Hydro faced significant challenges in managing their fleet through a collection of disconnected systems. Tracy Hill explained, “We had a database, and then we had a program, and then we had spreadsheets. So, we were just using too many things.” This fragmentation led to inefficiencies that hindered operational effectiveness.

The goal was clear: BC Hydro needed to streamline their processes by consolidating everything into one application—a single source of truth for all asset-related information.

Additionally, the company encountered supply chain challenges that complicated their operations. As Tracy noted, “Supply chain is huge, and we are really struggling with getting parts and vehicles.”

 

Our Solution

To address these challenges, BC Hydro turned to FleetWave. The platform has become the backbone of their fleet management operations, particularly through its work order functionality.

Tracy remarked, “When we implemented FleetWave, we saw a significant increase in technician time on tools, as our previous program was not fulsome, and the techs were having to use paper still in many aspects of their job. With the use of FleetWave, we were able to move a number of key tasks to the system, along with creating interfaces that eliminated the need for multiple forms of entry for one task. We also integrated our stockroom into the system to allow for more efficient tracking of parts. I would say it was at least an 80% improvement in techs’ paperwork time.”

Impact

The impact of FleetWave on BC Hydro’s operations has been substantial, leading to enhanced efficiency and improved service delivery across the board:

1- Reduced Paperwork

The platform has not only streamlined processes but has also eliminated the reliance on scattered paperwork. Tracy highlighted the benefits, stating, “It’s been cleaning up our processes, not having paper all over the place, and making sure people are using the system and not all these different places.” This transition has led to enhanced organization and improved accountability within the fleet management team.

2- Improved Parts Inventory

One of the most notable advantages of FleetWave has been its capability to help BC Hydro manage parts inventory more effectively. Tracy shared, “It helps us manage our parts more than anything, just knowing where our levels are at and giving us an indication of when we should start ordering.” This proactive approach has significantly reduced the risk of stockouts and ensured that technicians have the necessary parts to complete their work.

3- Work Order Management

The work order management system is central to BC Hydro’s operations. Tracy stated, “We use a lot of work orders as kind of our primary function. This is really where we live most of the time.” When discussing the primary benefits of FleetWave, she emphasized, “The work order management is fantastic, and the reporting is fantastic.” This capability has enabled BC Hydro to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve their operational efficiency.

4- Fleet Right-Sizing

BC Hydro is also in the early stages of right-sizing its fleet. Tracy explained, “We have been working on creating KPIs for our Vehicle Managers to have a transparent view into their fleet and its usage—i.e., fuel consumption, maintenance costs, etc. With our recent project of installing telematics, we have been able to interface the data to FleetWave, providing a one-stop shop for users to view their fleet. This integration has fostered conversations about the utilization, or lack thereof, of our vehicles.”

5- Saved Administration Time

The efficiency gained through FleetWave has been felt across the organization. Tracy noted, “The administrative time has certainly decreased for the mechanics, but I would also say it has decreased for our admin team, with less paper shuffling and using one system as the system of record.” This streamlined approach has not only saved time but also reduced the likelihood of errors associated with manual data entry.

6- Fully Compliant

FleetWave has also played a crucial role in compliance. Tracy remarked, “The maintenance scheduling and legal compliance is at 100%, as we are able to schedule and track all our PM and Commercial Vehicle inspections.” This level of compliance is critical for BC Hydro, ensuring that they meet regulatory requirements and maintain the safety of their operations.

 

In summary, FleetWave has transformed BC Hydro’s fleet management, driving efficiency, improving inventory management, and enabling proactive decision-making, all while maintaining a focus on compliance and safety.

 

Conclusion

BC Hydro’s experience with FleetWave and Chevin has been overwhelmingly positive. When asked if she would recommend Chevin, Tracy didn’t hesitate. “They are a fantastic group of people. Great to deal with and I know without a doubt I’ll be looked after.”

Tracy emphasized the strong support and responsive service from Chevin: “Absolutely, I would recommend Chevin. Great to work with, and I get the answers to my questions when I need them. The help and support is really great.”

FleetWave has not only streamlined BC Hydro’s fleet management but has also strengthened their ability to deliver reliable, clean energy to millions of British Columbians. The transformation underscores the importance of integrated systems in enhancing operational efficiency and improving service delivery in the energy sector.

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