Managing street works

EDF Energy Networks, one of the largest energy companies in Europe, has selected a street works management solution from Mayrise Systems for deployment in the UK. Following a rigorous tendering exercise, Mayrise Street Works was named as the product of choice, helping EDF Energy Networks liaise with highways authorities, minimise the disruption caused by street works and comply with government legislation.

A new street works server was installed at EDF Energy Networks’ centralised IT division in Plymouth in the South West of England. A project team was established and, working closely with Mayrise, XML/SOAP protocol servers were set up, the Mayrise software was installed and a migration exercise transferring data from a legacy system to the new one was started.

The project also ensured separation between each of EDF Energy Networks’ Distribution Operating Areas and established links to the street works noticing desks operated by contractors Murphy Ltd in the South East, Morrison Utility Services in the East of England and Skanska McNicholas in London.

“We interface with 52 individual local highway authorities, including the London Boroughs and Transport for London,” says Richard Wakelen, Head of Street Works for EDF Energy Networks. “During the course of an average year we carry out an estimated 80,000 works on the highway, generating in excess of 250,000 notices from our three alliance contractor offices.”

Mayrise Street Works integrates with EDF Energy Networks’ own mapping system, in addition to providing extra mapping functionality with Mayrise MapNow, the instant map-to-view software, and the National Street Gazetteer, facilitating the identification and positioning of works. Future developments will include electronic links between Mayrise and systems such as SAP Business Software, EDF Energy Networks’ programme management and customer relationship management (CRM) systems and mobile data capture devices.

“The review of potential solutions included consideration of the technical solution, product usability, whole life cost, customer service, company commercial viability, innovation, technical knowledge of and compliance with the Traffic Management Act,” says Christopher Perkins, Strategy Manager for EDF Energy Networks Street Works. “At the end of this review Mayrise was shortlisted and, following further testing, was named as EDF Energy’s product of choice for street works notice management.”

“Mayrise has already proved a strategic partner working closely with us to ensure the successful migration from EToN3 to EToN4 and there will undoubtedly be further enhancements as we continue to work in partnership to ensure full proof compliance to the TMA,” adds Perkins. “The relationship we have with Mayrise is ongoing and is one where both parties learn from each other.”

EDF Energy Networks owns and manages the electricity distribution networks covering the South East, East of England and London and with about 7.8 million customers. It is also one of the largest private networks operators in the UK, having important contracts with BAA’s Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the London Underground and Canary Wharf.