Angloco Fights Job Management Fires With BigChange Field Service Tech

Angloco, the manufacturer of fire fighting and rescue vehicles and equipment, is using a cloud-based job management system and mobile app to support growth. Since implementing the 6-in-1 BigChange system, Angloco has doubled its production capacity and increased turnover by nearly 100 percent.

Based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Angloco supplies all UK Fire Services, has a multi-million-pound contract with the Ministry of Defence, and has exported vehicles and equipment to over 70 overseas countries. 

Angloco deploys BigChange system

Using BigChange to support our service team has meant that we can achieve sustainable growth"

“Using BigChange to support our service team has meant that we can achieve sustainable growth, while maintaining the highest standards of service,” commented Ian Coyle, Service Operations Manager at Angloco.

He adds, “We have all but eliminated paper from our mobile operation and this has improved the speed with which we can react to changing schedules, the quality of the service we provide to our customers, and the efficiency of engineers working on the ground.”

Using intelligent algorithms

Using the BigChange job management system, which incorporates a mobile workforce app, customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, financial management and business intelligence tools, routine service schedules can be produced using intelligent algorithms, up to a year in advance, taking into account staff availability, skills and client location. 

Real-time tracking of engineer’s vehicles ensures ad-hoc requests and emergency call-outs can be accommodated efficiently and in a timely fashion and automatically generated alerts and notifications ensure the customer is kept informed at all times.

By replacing paper worksheets and job cards with end-to-end digital workflows, Angloco has greatly reduced the time and resources taken to manage its rapidly expanding service team. Engineers are guided through daily vehicle checks, ensuring early warning of potential defects or forthcoming deadlines such as insurance or MOT.

Capturing customer signatures

Schedules are sent directly to the engineer’s tablet, complete with all necessary paperwork

Schedules are sent directly to the engineer’s tablet, complete with all necessary paperwork, and whilst onsite staff can access an extensive library of reference information including manuals and wiring diagrams. 

During the course of a job engineers can share photographs with back-office staff if additional support is required before digitally capturing customer signatures once the job is completed.  

“Before BigChange the role of the service team was very different,” commented Claire Smith, Service Coordinator at Angloco, adding “We were continually churning out paper that needed to be in the right place at the right time for the engineers to complete their jobs. We produced it, we filled it in, we copied it, we filed it, we scanned it and we emailed it. Now everything is digital. Its accessible 24/7 from any internet connected device, its easily consumable on-site and its shareable with customers. This means we can focus on our role of ensuring we provide the best possible service at all times.”

Special purpose fire fighting

Angloco has been designing and building special purpose fire fighting and rescue vehicles for over 45 years, and has a wealth of experience and capabilities. The majority of vehicles are specially designed and custom built for each customer, according to their individual requirements.

Angloco also supplies fire fighting and rescue equipment and accessories, including: hydraulic rescue and extrication equipment, portable fire extinguishers, fire hose, branch pipes and nozzles, foam equipment, waterway couplings fittings and adaptors, electrical equipment and accessories, and pumps. 

In support of its products and vehicles, Angloco has a dedicated after-sales service and spare parts department which, in addition to carrying out on-location commissioning and training, provides servicing and major refurbishment projects overseas at customers’ premises, as well as throughout the UK.