Towards a joined-up approach to new connections
Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Birmingham
June 19th 2008
The UK new connections industry has never been more challenged. Government housing policy, increased competition and regulatory intervention is forcing connections providers to become more customer-centric. Since deregulation, the number of players has mushroomed, with more than 80 companies now actively engaged in the market.
As competition develops further, connections providers are having to adapt or lose business, Multi-utility services are replacing single-utility services and organisations are actively reviewing business processes and systems to deliver greater levels of efficiency and improved service to customers.
Increasingly organisations are recognising the value of a joined-up approach to new connections. This contrasts with existing approaches which deploy cumbersome processes and disparate systems that hinder responsiveness and service quality.
Adopting a spatially-enabled approach
Innovative organisations are gaining a competitive edge by bringing together design, modelling, costing and work scheduling processes through integrative technology. To achieve this, emerging businesses such as Wales & West Utilities and independent network operators like Inexus are turning to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to deliver their aspirations. Uniquely, these systems deliver the necessary intelligence to integrate processes in an intuitive manner.
This unique forum event has been organised to discuss the challenges facing the industry and explore the potential of new technologies such as GIS in addressing them. It will bring together key stakeholders from across the new connections industry, encompassing:
- The industry regulator, OFGEM
- The National Federation of Builders
- Traditional Utilities providing new connections services
- Affiliated new connections providers engaged in single and multi-utility services
- Independent network operators
- Independent connections providers
Facilitated by ESRI (UK), this forum will consider the key challenges being faced in the new connections industry. It will provide valuable customer, regulator and participant insights. Participants will also learn how the deployment of GIS is delivering joined up approaches to new connections.
Why you should attend
- A unique opportunity to gain, discuss and debate the views from all the key stakeholders – connections providers, regulators and customer
- Opportunity to informally meet your peers across the industry, discuss developments, share ideas and experiences
- Learn more about the application of GIS and its benefits to the business process, business efficiency and core competitiveness
- Understand the latest developments in spatial data technology from ESRI (UK)
- Inform your future plans and strategic thinking
ESRI (UK) would like to thank all who attended for making this event a success.
Registration for this event is now closed.
For information about our current ESRI (UK) events click here »
