States Works services ‘can be improved with smart technology’
A NEW REPORT has identified ‘considerable potential for technology to support service improvements’ at States Works.
The review by consultants concluded that current service level agreements were being delivered effectively, but a lack of data was an obstacle to effective performance monitoring.
General manager Paul Lickley said this was an opportunity for the States-owned business, and work had already begun to address it.
This included plans to use ‘smart’ technology to support service delivery in such areas as job allocation and scheduling, ensuring that staff have quality, up-to-date information at all times, and capture data to help better plan services.
The independent report concluded: ‘There are various limitations relating to data including availability, ability to extract information from systems, quality and validation.
‘This is significant in that it limits the ability of States Works to adequately analyse, monitor and review performance across services.
‘ICT systems are outdated, and a programme of work is in place to address this.’
Mr Lickley said there was considerable scope for States Works to embrace greater use of technology.
‘A lot of the services that we provide will involve manual labour to a greater or lesser extent.
‘However, the way works are planned, co-ordinated and managed can be improved with the help of modern technology.
‘We will still be relying on the skills and experience of our staff, but they will be better equipped and we will be able to collect valuable information that we can then use to improve services.’
Prior to the rollout of pay-as-you-throw charges for general household rubbish, Guernsey Waste developed a smart phone app for reporting non-compliance.
All collection contractors were provided with a mobile handset to log when they come across a bag without the right payment sticker by simply pressing one button.
The mobile phone’s GPS automatically records the location, and a nightly report from every contractor is downloaded when they drop off at the transfer station at Longue Hougue.
This means that, by 6am, Guernsey Waste has a report of any incidents of bags being left behind each night, which can then be followed up quickly.
This app, which is being used by States Works’ collections crews, is regarded as a good example of where technology can help the business.
