Support from Superfast Business Cornwall has allowed a family-owned company to bring its business into the digital age.

Electrical contractors Delve and Nankervis are based in St Ives and have been in business since 1959.

The company has been using the same, manual paper-based way of recording projects since it was founded.

Now, thanks to support and funding from Superfast Business Cornwall, the business is implementing a cloud-based Field Management Software which includes a CRM (customer relationship management) system that can be used in the office or on the road.

“I came across Superfast Business Cornwall’s website and saw they were running a seminar that I asked to be part of,” said company secretary Natasha Gunn. “It was there that I spoke with a Digital Business Adviser about what was available to us.”

“Delve and Nankervis have been working with their paper based process for a long time. We felt it was the right time to update to a field management system to collect, record and store all information in a more efficient and productive manner. From my own experience, I have used various field management systems in other businesses and could see the potential value of implementing one here.”

Superfast Business Cornwall Digital Business Enabler Mike Robertson spent time with the company helping to put together proposals and research potential field management packages, and supported them for several weeks to meet project milestones.

“We are in the process of implementing the system at the moment,” said Director Liam Nankervis. “We are already using it and just ironing out a few glitches.”

“It’s been a bit of learning curve for us as we have worked with a paper-based system for so long but Superfast Business Cornwall have been a great help. It’s a big change, as due to the nature of our company there was a lot of information to input into the system before we started using it, which is constantly being updated, so it’s an ongoing process.”

As part of the move to the field management system all members of staff also received an iPad, meaning they can log into the system remotely. Colleagues can log labour hours, job materials, testing results and ensure that they have sign off from the customer.

Natasha added: “It gives us, and our customers, more visibility. Our electricians can simply log into their iPad and access their work load for the day. It’s a really great job management tool.”

The system also has the functionality to allow customers to access it, monitoring the progress and completion of their work and accessing testing certificates.

“One of our bigger clients is a residential lettings agency and this tool will be particularly useful to them,” said Natasha. “The field management system will allow us to reduce admin time and increase productivity because jobs can be scheduled in more efficiently, saving time which ultimately means more opportunity to grow as a business. Less time at the office, means more time on site with the customer which is really important to us.”

Superfast Broadband -Delve and Nankervis team photo

Liam took over the business from his father in 2000 along with fellow director Ian Rule. This cloud-based solution will allow the business to expand its reach nationally.

“Mike at Superfast Business Cornwall was instrumental in providing support throughout the whole process,” said Liam. “Mike is a former electrician himself, he really understood the business and our requirements.”

“I don’t think that we would have undertaken this project and switched to a cloud-based system without the help of Superfast Business Cornwall.”

Superfast Business Cornwall aimed to help businesses understand, adopt and exploit digital technology to boost competitiveness.  The service offered a tailored programme of high quality information, impartial advice and digital development.

The service was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Serco national market leaders in the provision of Superfast Broadband focused business support. Building upon the success of the previous Superfast Business Cornwall Service, the latest project ran until March 2019.