Fergus > Case Studies > Leveraging IoT for Efficient Job Management: A Case Study of KVA Group

Leveraging IoT for Efficient Job Management: A Case Study of KVA Group

Technology Category

Sensors - Electrical Conductivity Sensors
Sensors - Level Sensors

Applicable Industries

Electrical Grids
Electronics

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Time Sensitive Networking

Services

System Integration

About The Customer

KVA Group is a Queensland-based electrical company that was founded in 2015 by Ben Davis and Elliott Furlong. The company specializes in residential electrical work, commercial shop fit-outs, air conditioning, and solar collection system installations. Recently, the company has seen a significant increase in renovation work, with jobs ranging from $50,000 to high-end home renovations worth between $2 and $3 million. In just eight months, the company experienced a 65% increase in home security and automation jobs. To manage this increased workload, the company had to hire six new employees and acquire two extra vehicles. The co-directors also had to redefine their roles to manage the business more effectively.

The Challenge

KVA Group, a Queensland-based electrical company, was experiencing a significant increase in workload due to a boom in home renovation work across Australia and New Zealand. This surge was a result of the COVID-19 travel bans, which led people to invest their money in home improvements. KVA Group, which specializes in residential electrical work, commercial shop fit-outs, air conditioning, and solar collection system installations, saw a 65% increase in home security and automation jobs in just eight months. The company was struggling to manage this massive spike in workload, which led to the need for hiring six new employees and acquiring two extra vehicles. The co-directors had to redefine their roles, with one stepping into a business management role and the other becoming a construction manager. The company was also facing challenges in team management, job delegation, scheduling, and payroll.

The Solution

To manage the increased workload and streamline operations, KVA Group implemented Fergus, a job management software. This software transformed the company's operations from manual, shed meetings to cloud-based team management. Fergus enabled the co-directors to delegate tasks, schedule jobs for their staff, and manage the team remotely. The company's bookkeeper also started using Fergus, which provided all necessary information within the system, eliminating the need to consult the co-directors. This software also eased the burden of payroll management. Furthermore, KVA Group integrated Fergus with their wholesalers, including Lawrence & Hanson and Haymans, ensuring that the suppliers’ CSV price books were always accessible to the team. Fergus also helped the company manage pricing at a time when the cost of materials was fluctuating almost daily.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Fergus job management software has brought about significant operational improvements for KVA Group. The software has enabled the company to manage the increased workload effectively, ensuring that no minor jobs fall through the cracks. It has also improved clarity and transparency within the team, making everyone's lives easier. The co-directors have been able to delegate tasks and schedule jobs more efficiently, and the bookkeeper has been able to access all necessary information within the system. The software has also eased the burden of payroll management. Furthermore, the integration of Fergus with their wholesalers has ensured that the suppliers’ CSV price books are always accessible to the team, improving the efficiency of pricing management.

Quantitative Benefit

65% increase in home security and automation jobs managed effectively
Managed to hire 6 new employees and acquire 2 extra vehicles to handle increased workload
Transitioned from manual to digital job management, improving efficiency