In this case study, we look at how Blue 9 Security Ltd use Rugged Data’s custom data capture and reporting app to boost efficiency and strengthen customer relationships.
The background
Based in Wiltshire, Blue 9 Security Ltd provides nationwide close protection, residential and corporate security, fire marshall and keyholding services. The management team combine over 40 years of experience in the police, military and private sectors. Since 2006, Blue 9 Security Ltd have prided themselves in innovation, using technology to enhance their service to customers. Alongside this, the team prioritises reliability, dedication and professionalism. Evidencing their work for customers in Rugged Data’s branded reports is a crucial part of the service they offer.
The challenge
Blue 9 Security Ltd implemented digital reporting early in their journey, however they found that the app they were using did not meet their needs.
It was overcomplicated. Staff found the app difficult to use and needed a lot of training to become proficient.
It was unreliable. The app often froze when creating reports. The size and complexity of the app meant that it was slow and ‘glitchy.’
This meant that the efficiency gains that Blue 9 expected when using a reporting app were not realised.
The solution
Rugged Data’s head of delivery, Helen Craig, worked closely with Shahzad Qureshi, operations director, to create a custom app that matched Blue 9’s working processes, and provided evidence of work carried out to their customers. Using Blue 9’s forms as a starting point, Helen made suggestions to make the process easier to follow and to prevent mistakes. For example, Helen recommended adding date and time stamps to photographs included in reports to prove that patrols had been carried out as agreed.
Among many useful features, Blue 9 Security’s final solution included:
- The flexibility to make changes to reporting fields
- An option to include high-quality photos in reports
- Fully branded, intuitive and professional-looking reports
- Offline working mode, so staff with no service could continue reporting when patrolling a site
- GPS location, date and time stamps to provide clients with evidence that patrols had taken place, and to monitor staff onsite.
Once the app was agreed, Blue 9 Security rolled it out to a group of Keyholders to test. After only a few minutes training, they were comfortable to begin using the app in their day to day work. Blue 9 quickly extended the app to their fire marshall and security teams.
The results
Blue 9 joined the Rugged Data community in 2016, and the software is now an integral part of the service that they offer to their customers.
The benefits they have seen include:
- Quicker, more accurate data gathering. Forms could be added and changed quickly, for optimal data gathering.
- Process wide efficiencies – such as the ability to automatically insert photos into reports – ensuring the whole process was streamlined, saving time.
- Professional, standardised reports. Staff no longer need to write and type up pages of notes. Their reports now consist of 1-2 standard pages, neatly laid out, easy to read and containing all necessary information.
- Customer trust. The Blue 9 team is seen as credible and reliable because they can prove that the work was done and to a high standard, using GPS, time and date stamps and photographs.
- Minimal training required. Staff found the app self-explanatory, reducing time needed to get new team members up and running, and making their work easier.
- Management time savings. Staff can show where they are and when, as reports are submitted in real time. Managers don’t need to phone around to track staff whereabouts.
- Business wide efficiencies. Rugged Data has saved Blue 9 Security over £20,000 per year- the cost of an extra staff member. Previously, typing each report took the admin team 2-3 hours per report. Report generation is now instant.
What our client says
‘Rugged Data sets itself apart from other platforms with its ease of use. Our staff need little to no training to use the app because it has been designed to be so straightforward and simple. Working with the Rugged Data team, we have the flexibility to quickly amend and improve our forms whenever we need to. As we apply for more contracts and grow our business into new areas, we see Rugged Data as a trusted partner that will join us on our journey.’
Shahzad Qureshi, operations director, Blue 9 Security Ltd.
Rugged Data can create a custom data gathering and reporting app for your security business. Find out more about the benefits of our security and fire safety apps here. Or contact us now to discover how we can help bring efficiencies to your processes and increase satisfaction among your customers.