Assignar > Case Studies > Abletech Underground Group: Streamlining Operations with Digital Transformation

Abletech Underground Group: Streamlining Operations with Digital Transformation

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)

Applicable Industries

Mining
Paper & Pulp

Applicable Functions

Maintenance

Use Cases

Asset Health Management (AHM)
Asset Lifecycle Management

Services

Training

About The Customer

Abletech Underground Group is a construction and mining company with 38 years of experience. They strive to set the standard of excellence across all facets of underground location and vacuum excavation. The company is known for its proactive and committed approach to safety, ensuring their workers are trained and competent in the use of all equipment. They set themselves apart from their competition by consistently delivering personalized services, competitive costs, and clear results that are beyond all expectations. Major projects include major road upgrades in Ipswich, the Mooloolaba Transport Corridor Upgrade, and the rural road construction in South East Queensland.

The Challenge

Abletech Underground Group, a construction and mining company with 38 years of experience, was facing challenges with their manual and paper-based systems. The company, known for its commitment to safety and personalized service, was seeking a digital solution to replace these outdated systems. The manual processes included daily diaries, text messages for shift communication, and physical job packs that team members had to pick up at the yard each day. Additionally, the company had both digital and physical copies of their crews’ tickets and licenses, making it difficult to manage and maintain. The company also had to manage a large number of assets, each with its own maintenance and pre-start forms, which was an extensive job. The company was also using paper timesheets and dockets, which had to be submitted to the office daily or weekly, making record keeping a challenge.

The Solution

Abletech Underground Group decided to implement Assignar, a digital solution, to replace their manual systems. The company's directors, Geordie and Duncan McGrath, were determined to digitize their operations and knew that internal commitment was crucial for successful implementation. Their Operations and Admin Manager, Kelsee Stevens, became the internal champion of Assignar, learning all the modules to maximize the software across the business. In just under two months, Abletech Underground Group was live on Assignar with their orders, scheduling, the SMS module, forms, documents, timesheets, and dockets. The company transitioned their timesheets and dockets to Assignar, which were received instantly back to the office via the Assignar mobile app. The company also digitized their safety forms, general induction site form, and incident forms. Each employee and asset now has its own profile with all their inductions and corresponding competencies.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Assignar has brought significant operational benefits to Abletech Underground Group. The transition from paper to digital has been welcomed positively by the team, even by employees who have been in the industry for over 30 years and are used to doing everything on paper. The digitization of documentation and data has made record keeping easier and more efficient. The visibility into the business has improved significantly, with the directors no longer needing to wait until the end of the week to see hours worked. The digital transformation has also made it easier for the team in the field to enter information via phone. The staggered rollout of the digital solution, starting with pre-starts, then other forms, and eventually timesheets and dockets, has ensured long-term success.

Quantitative Benefit

Saved 2 hours per day by replacing manual systems with digital solutions
Implemented the digital solution in under 60 days
Instant submission of timesheets and dockets to the office via the Assignar mobile app