Low-code driving new digital services for customers
The challenge
Rising global energy prices, the pandemic and recent climate events have all driven an increase in customers facing some sort of vulnerability. At the same time, tech savvy customers increasingly demand new levels of support and services. UK Power Networks serve 19 million people across 8.3 million homes and businesses and they must continue to meet growing demand in-line with their business priorities:
Tackle the climate crisis by connecting renewable energy, electric car chargers and low carbon heating
Meet customers evolving needs by improving services and go above and beyond for the communities served
Support customers in vulnerable circumstances
A quick, easy approach to transforming
UK Power Networks utilised the power of Liberty Create, our low-code platform, to quickly deliver many successful automated projects, and revolutionised many services for customers. They then extended the use of Liberty platform, Netcall’s AI-powered automation and customer engagement platform, across the wider business to support new projects.
This includes a Priority Services Register, which helps vulnerable customers during a power cut. And two-way payments, to seamlessly receive and make payments to customers.
“Our use of Liberty Create has been transformative for UK Power Network’s digital ambitions. Intelligent automation allows us to rapidly develop, deliver and maintain new digital services for our customers.”
Dave Roberts
IS / IT Director, UK Power Networks
The solution
This application engages and empowers employees to drive performance enhancements and develop more effective ways of working through innovation.
This application helps to drive efficiencies and enhance the service proposition for staff managing GDPR, DPIAs, Legitimate Interest processes and communications in these areas.
This application supports customer connection applications via a wide variety of channels and automates key parts of the process.
UK Power Networks uses the application to manage the different parties (electricians, network operators, site surveyors etc) and automation enables the applications and the CRM system to be updated, without data entry. Updates and reminders are automatically sent to customers (survey dates and payments received etc).
This application supports installers and customers in applying to connect one/multiple new low carbon technologies.
It supplies automated assessments to reduce processing times, issuing instant approvals when all criteria are met and sending automatic referrals to teams when required, with tracking and reporting capability.
This application comprises a data form enabling customers and staff to record a vulnerability, such as a health condition which requires medical treatment that relies on an power supply.
This means that UK Power Networks can is a record vulnerable customers and ensure they are given suitable extra provisions during a power cut.
This application enables payments to be made or received to customers seamlessly.
“We were able to fully adopt an agile methodology, release a minimum viable product, and then continually improve that to stem up from a viable product to a market-leading low carbon technology application system. We are processing more applications for low carbon technologies than other Distribution Network Operators and we’re doing it with the highest customer satisfaction scores from Ofgem.”
Ben Elmy
Product Manager for Domestic Low Carbon Readiness, UK Power Networks
The result
UK Power Networks can now equip people in the business, those who really understand the process, with the tools that they need to automate existing processes and develop new digital journeys to support customers
Liberty Create is AI-powered, which means it provides richer insights to data, allows outcomes to be predicted and therefore improves business decision making
Relieves the burden on employees – who can now spend their time on tasks which are more interesting and higher-value, and enhance customer experience
Superb customer experience as a result
#1 company in the UK for customer service
UK Power Networks was named as #1 Company in the UK for customer service by the Institute of Customer Service in July 2022. Customers rate them highly for strong communication, trust, being open and transparent, having helpful and competent people and an easy-to-use website. The ability to control and develop their digital processes allows UK Power Networks’ people to focus on delivering outstanding customer service.
Tackling project after project – Hear it for yourself
UK Power Networks can equip people in the business, those who really understand the process, with the tools that they need to automate existing processes. They are using Liberty Create to develop many new digital journeys which deliver award-winning customer experience – watch the video to find out more.
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The Lean Improvement Team are tasked with up-skilling and empowering employees to consistently achieve better business results. As 60% of their time was spent administering the process and arranging assessment appointments, they needed a more efficient, effective way to collaborate with teams across the organisation.