Wheatley’s Smart Roll-out Optimiser fulfils Government requirement to put consumers at the heart of the UK smart meter installation programme

Published by humbugpr for Wheatley Associates in Communities and also in Environment, Housing, Local Government

Bacton (Suffolk), UK – 23^rd April 2012. Concurring with the statements this month from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Charles Hendry MP, Minister of State for Energy, outlining the Government’s commitment to put consumers at the heart of theUK smart meter installation programme, Wheatley Associates also emphasised the need for meter installation companies to adopt appropriate software strategies to fulfil the Government’s requirements.

In its April 2012 Update marking the conclusion of the Foundation Stage for the UK Smart Metering Implementation Programme, the Department of Energy and Climate Change stated that: “The Government is committed to putting consumers at the heart of the programme and is announcing a package of measures that aims to ensure that consumers have a positive experience of the smart meter installation process….The Government has concluded that suppliers should be required to comply with high-level objectives, and a Code of Practice, regarding the installation visit.”

This was reiterated by Charles Hendry MP, Minister of State for Energy, in his statement (5^th April 2012): “I am determined that consumers are at the heart of this ambitious programme. That is why today we are proposing tough guidelines on installation, which will minimise inconvenience….”

Wheatley Associates’ Smart Roll-out Optimiser has been created specifically to enable meter installation companies fulfil this Government requirement. The Smart Roll-out Optimiser provides a front-end software solution to existing mobile workforce management systems, including Wheatley Associates’ ASSIGN metering-specific application, underpinning the strategic planning and maximising the implementation efficiency of the smart meter installation process, at the same time as ensuring maximum quality of service  levels to customers.

“TheUKsmart meter installation programme is a massive undertaking and, in developing the Smart Roll-out Optimiser for this, we recognised early on that quality of service for customers would be paramount for its success,” said Jeremy Goulding, CEO of Wheatley Associates. “We warmly welcome the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s endorsement of our view by putting consumers at the heart of the programme.”

Wheatley Associates outlined its views in its recently published white paper: “Smart Metering: Getting through the door - Understanding how the correct software application can enhance both deployment strategies and the customer experience”. Wheatley argues that, crucial to the success of the smart meter roll-out in the UK, is the need for meter installation companies to couple an enhanced customer experience with the ability to meet the challenge of controlling the cost to deliver. The white paper can be downloaded from the Wheatley Associates website: http://www.wheatley-associates.co.uk/Home/Thought-leadership/White-Paper---Smart-Metering.

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 About Wheatley Associates

Wheatley Associates are experts in mobile workforce scheduling and efficiency. Drawing on its extensive software development heritage and its understanding of multi-dimensional scheduling requirements, the company provides a range of software solutions to manage complex, real-time mobile workforce scheduling demands. Applicable to a broad range of industries, markets and applications, the company’s mobile workforce scheduling solutions dynamically balance work allocations and take account of changing events to maximise productivity and ensure the optimal use of costly resources. The company’s scheduling solutions are backed by a comprehensive range of in-depth consultancy services designed to help clients understand and address the mobile workforce ‘Efficiency Bleed’. Additionally, with its leadership position in the provision of asset and data management solutions to the utilities industry, the company continues to be well-placed to take advantage of the emerging Smart Meter and Smart Grid initiatives. Wheatley Associates is a privately-held company based in Bacton, Suffolkin the United Kingdom. For further information, please visit: http://www.wheatley-associates.co.uk.

Media contacts:

Dr. Mike Ward, Marketing Manager

Tel: +44 (0)1449 781001.   Email: mike.ward@wheatley-associates.co.uk

 Keith Mason, Humbug PR

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 Ann Williams, Humbug PR

Tel: +44 (0)1305 849402.  Email: ann.williams@humbugpr.com

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