Case Studies – Nektar

How Nektar Enhances Property Management

nektarsolution — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 20:22:49 +0000

Client Overview

For over 50 years Tom Jones and Sons Limited has provided tailored real estate solutions to clients across Northwestern Ontario. The firm concentrates on real estate development, design build development, property management, financing, leasing and sales primarily in the Thunder Bay market. Effective property management is crucial for maintaining these assets, optimizing their use, and ensuring that they continue to contribute to the company’s overall success. That’s where Nektar comes in.

Challenge

As the company expanded its property portfolio, it encountered challenges related to the efficient management of these assets. Key issues included the need for centralized property data, streamlined maintenance tracking, and improved tenant management for any leased properties. Ensuring compliance with local regulations and optimizing property utilization were also top priorities.

Solution

Nektar provided a robust property management platform tailored to meet their specific needs. This platform offered a suite of tools designed to streamline property management processes, enhance oversight, and optimize asset utilization.

Centralized Property Data Management: Nektar’s platform allowed Tom Jones and Sons Limited to centralize all property-related data, including ownership records, lease agreements, maintenance histories, and compliance documentation. This centralization made it easier for the company to access and manage property information, ensuring that all records were up-to-date and easily accessible.
Streamlined Maintenance Tracking: Nektar’s maintenance management tools enabled Tom Jones and Sons Limited to track the maintenance needs of their properties in real time. The platform provided automated reminders for scheduled maintenance, tracked work orders, and documented all completed tasks. This ensured that all properties were well-maintained, reducing the risk of costly repairs and prolonging the life of assets.
Improved Tenant and Lease Management: For properties with tenants, Nektar’s platform offered features to manage lease agreements, and handle tenant communications. This helped Tom Jones and Sons Limited maintain positive relationships with tenants and ensure that lease agreements were adhered to, reducing the risk of disputes and vacancies.
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting: Nektar’s compliance monitoring tools helped Tom Jones and Sons Limited ensure that all properties met local regulations and standards. The platform generated detailed reports on property inspections, making it easier for the company to maintain compliance and avoid potential fines or legal issues.
Optimized Property Utilization: Nektar’s data analytics features provided Tom Jones and Sons Limited with insights into the utilization of their properties, helping the company identify opportunities to optimize their use. Whether it was maximizing the value of leased properties or identifying underutilized assets, Nektar’s platform empowered Tom Jones and Sons Limited to make informed decisions that enhanced their overall property management strategy.

Results

Enhanced Property Management Efficiency: Tom Jones and Sons Limited achieved a reduction in the time spent managing property-related tasks, thanks to Nektar’s centralized data and streamlined processes.
Improved Asset Maintenance: The company saw a decrease in maintenance-related costs due to proactive tracking and management of maintenance activities.
Better Tenant Relationships: With improved lease and tenant management, Tom Jones and Sons Limited reported an increase in tenant satisfaction and a corresponding reduction in lease disputes.
Regulatory Compliance: Nektar’s compliance tools helped Tom Jones and Sons Limited maintain compliance with local property regulations, avoiding potential fines and legal issues.
Optimized Asset Utilization: Tom Jones and Sons Limited was able to identify and repurpose underutilized assets, leading to an increase in overall property value and revenue generation.

Conclusion

Nektar provided Tom Jones and Sons Limited with a comprehensive property management solution that streamlined their operations, improved tenant relationships, and ensured compliance with regulations. By leveraging Nektar’s platform, Tom Jones and Sons Limited was able to enhance the efficiency of their property management practices, optimize asset utilization, and ultimately contribute to the company’s overall success in the construction industry.

Real-time, Field Data Collection

nektarsolution — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 10:46:49 +0000

about SaskPower

SaskPower is the principal electric utility in Saskatchewan, Canada. Established in 1929 by the provincial government, it serves over 550,000 customers and manages nearly $13 billion in assets. SaskPower is a major employer in the province with over 3,100 permanent full-time staff in approximately 70 communities.

The Challenge

As a supplier of mission-critical infrastructure service, Utility Companies must constantly deliver the highest level of service and safety to their customers and the general public.

One Canadian utility company, SaskPower, set out to engage and secure a partner to provide them with data collection services. The goal was to simplify, automate, and have real-time access to remote field-collected data. They needed to source a data collection solution that would enable them to advance in their awareness of the process of data collection and subsequent dissemination.

They also wanted to offer their contractors an easier way to report on their completed work. The required solution needed to embrace and feature the following functionality:

Paperless, real-time data collection
Mobile data collection devices leveraging iOS and Android operating systems
Electronic entry forms for inspections and maintenance assessments
Mandatory or required completion of key inspection elements
Image capture capability within the inspection process
Mapped GPS Locations of all assets & inspections completed
Various permission levels for users
Virtual document storage and access available in-field to users
The entire history of assets available to mobile users
The ability for management to view data as it is collected remotely
Real-time reporting functionality
Electronic safety forms and inspections
Hosting of data in the cloud environment with the ability to share and transfer data with integrated contractors
API Integration with current legacy systems

How Nektar Helped SaskPower

Using an iOS device with the Nektar asset management data collection platform installed on it, they were provided with the ability to collect and analyze utility structures, Jobsite tasks, and safety data in real-time. Via a web browser or iOS device, the heads of their remote department and senior management personnel could then view data in custom created live reports just seconds after the data has been submitted.

The system supports the broad spectrum of any data capture requirements they have, including data types such as text input, checkbox, numeric-only input, list selection, images, sketches, and signatures. All data types can be set as optional or mandatory elements. This functionality makes it easy to recreate and adapt to any of their existing paper-based forms, thereby enabling their goal of electronic data collection.

Project managers are easily able to monitor their projects, people and tasks, no matter where they are as if they were there on-site. Managers ensure that their teams are on target for project milestones and performance standards. Managers can also ensure that their people conform to sets of specific standards.

The business challenge solution provided by Nektar partnership

Utility companies are now selecting Nektar to be used as the sole source for data collection in ongoing maintenance and inspections for all transmission and distribution assets, as well as in new line construction. This initiative encompasses tasks related to assets such as steel weathering, lattice, wood, substation, or any other asset imaginable. Nektar can also be used to replace many other previous paper-based processes including:

Pre-job Safety Meetings
Risk & Hazard Assessments
Land & Crop Damage assessments
Incident Reports
Fleet & Equipment Inspections
Fleet Maintenance
Fueling Events
Project Progression Reporting
Work Orders

As utility companies embrace mobile cloud-based data collection, there are no limits to the scope of data collection and reporting abilities. The Nektar team is proactively engaged to custom configure a product to support the utilities’ unique set of forms and processes that are alleviating the need for paper. Utility companies have grown to rely on Nektar as it provides each of their field-based personnel with the ability to view their list of work activities and execute tasks that must be completed with a high degree of efficiency and accountability.

Project managers ensure consistency and quality by reactively adjusting and deploying system changes to front line workers as they are needed. All senior and management team members have the required remote visibility into field-based operations. This includes inspections and maintenance activities for all structures and other business assets. In addition, health and safety audit teams can now retrieve records of safety documentation and meeting events.

The Results

SaskPower completed the implementation of Nektar and was pleasantly surprised how seamless the process was. The initial stages focused on many projects being carried out by an array of remote contractors, inspectors, and employees. The acceptance of the mobile data collection solution was embraced by 100% of the participants across the board. The solution has helped them to enjoy the highest degree of responsible governance and efficiency at the best cost-ratio. The final decision to choose Nektar as sole supplier for all field data collection was a small risk that has resulted in big payoffs.

“The ability for the Nektar solution to provide live data collection using an iOS device, and being able to view that data instantaneously from virtually anywhere will definitely contribute to any project’s success. Nektar provides us with the ability to monitor work as it is completed as if we were on-site, something we have never had.” Engineer & Senior Asset

Manager – Transmission Line Assets – SaskPower

Ready to drive success with asset clarity and data intelligence solutions?

Equipment Safety Management for Wilco

nektarsolution — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 22:07:07 +0000

about SaskPower

Wilco Contractors specializes in open-space site development in Canada and has been a leader in the industry for nearly three decades. Wilco excels at project management, the construction of parks, sports facilities, environmentally sensitive site developments, as well as civil infrastructure developments.

The Challenge

Although Wilco Contractors has seen success over many years in a competitive industry, there had been several issues in the daily operations that had costly consequences for the company.

#1 – Equipment Maintenance Issues Causing Equipment Downtime

As a wide-spread contracting company with a large fleet of vehicles and assets, Wilco Contractors performs maintenance on hundreds of pieces of equipment throughout the year. It is generally understood that it’s much less costly to perform scheduled maintenance than it is to fix an asset once it has broken down. Wilco had a basic system of the document and maintenance tracking that reasonably supported scheduled maintenance on its fleet of assets. This system relied heavily on paper-based processes for defect and repair tracking to keep up with the care requirements for the fleet. Dealing with daily equipment defects and preventative maintenance activities, there was no transparency or way for management to see this information promptly never mind in real time.

#2 – Safety Record Keeping and Transparency

Wilco had a challenge with efficiently adhering to personnel safety measures and requirements. As with any contracting company, several safety procedures are in place at Wilco that help prevent accidents and help to create and maintain a safe workplace. Common safety processes and mandated requirements such as toolbox talks, job hazard assessments, pre-trip inspections, incident reports, and near-miss reports are all part of Wilco’s daily routines.

Wilco, like many contractors, had difficulties in maintaining consistent safety compliance documentation as per regulatory requirements. This led to a higher focus of personnel merely completing their paperwork and endless documentation rather than focusing on the actual safety issues and requirements that were stated within the documentation.

The Solution

Any solution that Wilco Contractors sought needed to:

Provide more visibility into the required preventative maintenance scheduling of individual assets helping to reduce the frequency of costly repairs.
Give insight into trends such as particular makes, models, or personnel that most frequently contributed to costly repairs.
Increase the level of compliance with mandatory safety procedures.
Create an environment where the focus is on performing the work safely rather than burdening the worker with enormous amounts of time managing the paper documents and procedures.

Wilco chose Nektar. Nektar, a mobile and web-based solution that runs on every mobile device, was designed BY CONTRACTORS FOR CONTRACTORS and was rigorously tested by over 100 fields and management staff on real jobs for two years. It was significant to Wilco that Nektar had the flexibility to adapt to processes that were already in place.

The Solution in Action – Equipment Maintenance

Within Wilco, all tangible assets, such as vehicles, construction equipment, hand power tools, electronics, job sites, employees, etc., are given unique ID numbers and tags. Now, for the life of every asset, specific asset and task information is updated and stored, permanently. Equipment and vehicles are now being tracked using the Nektar, which has allowed Wilco to save tens of thousands of dollars each year by employing a proactive preventative maintenance schedule.

For example, a typical dump truck has distinctive information stored in Nektar such as:

Make
Model
Serial Number
Weight
Any other specifications that may apply

Activity and other transactional information collected daily by each driver and service tech include:

Pre-trip inspections
Engine checks
Fluids levels
Mileage and hour meters
Detailed maintenance information
Future maintenance scheduling
Material handling and payload transactions

All collected information includes a GPS location, the user, and a date and time stamp so true traceability of who, what, when, and where for all events is achieved. Documentation and reporting of collected data are fully customized for the needs of Wilco’s equipment management staff. Paper-based documents such as CVIPs, registrations, packing slips, and invoices for service parts are all captured via mobile device photos or scanned and uploaded. All documents and photos are available at any time from any device and can also be aligned with a specific activity such as an oil change.

The use of Nektar and access to information has become an invaluable tool for equipment and project management within Wilco’s daily operations. Wilco Contractors has recently deployed over 200 mobile devices to field staff on which Nektar is used every minute of the day. The use of Nektar is a mobile data collection system, has allowed Wilco to become more competitive by increasing productivity in the workplace.

The Solution in Action – Safety Compliance and Project Management

In 2014 Wilco fully abandoned 100% of all its paper-based safety and project documentation requirements. Now all toolbox meetings, job hazard assessments, incident reports, site inspections, daily job logs, force account records, training certificates, etc., are completed using Nektar.

Using mobile data collection processes designed specifically for contractors, the app allows the foremen in the field to completely manage their projects without leaving the field. Since all data is uploaded and available online, senior management at Wilco has full access to all project and safety transactions from the field in real time. The days of turning in your paperwork at Wilco are completely gone. Nektar is making Wilco a more attractive place to work with fewer safety violations, near misses, and accidents, all while improving the safety culture in the work site.

The ease of use and the confirmation of accountability have increased the level of safety compliance, reduced the frequency of incidents, and allowed for much easier storing and retrieval of information in the event of an incident.

The Results

Although there were great reductions in occurrences of equipment damage, it has been tough to measure this in dollars. However, estimates by Wilco are in the tens of thousands of dollars saved per year. The time and man-hours saved alone is in the thousands of hours. The frequency of maintenance and safety forms being completed went from roughly 45% of the time to 100% of the time, and this by itself has resulted directly in better maintained assets and safer employees.

Wilco is now a completely paperless company with compliance rates of 100% for filling out necessary forms on site and in the office across all jobs. The time and cost of repairs and downtime have been greatly reduced. Increases in safety compliance have reduced near misses and on-site incidents. Nektar has become a daily part of Wilco’s business, and thus, the company has realized increased cost-savings, higher job safety, and greater productivity due to the management no longer needing to chase down paper forms throughout the day.

Nektar is utilized by contractors within heavy equipment, equipment rental, construction, materials handling, manufacturing, utilities, municipalities, and the green industry throughout the world.

Adopting an Electronic Data Collection System

nektarsolution — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 22:05:28 +0000

about SaskPower

Taylor Machine Works has been in business for 87 years. Their intense focus on the quality of the customized forklift trucks that they manufacture has led them on a journey of longevity that matches that of their products and has allowed them to become a world-wide organization with state-of-the-art engineering and manufacturing resources.

The Challenge

Much has changed over the last 87 years, however, and even though the company continues to enjoy long term success, Taylor Machine Works needed a tool that would allow them to track data collected from specific assets in the Quality Control Department, in order to ensure that their high standards could be upheld in an industry that is constantly evolving.

In spring of 2013, Kale Moody was moved into the position of Quality Control Manager for Taylor, and almost immediately sought a solution that would help him and his team drive quality to a new level by providing them with a way to track deficiencies accurately and easily by identifying problem areas and tracking improvements.

The Challenge with Paper Data Collection

Taylor builds customized, industrial forklift trucks and each of these goes through a series of checks to ensure that their high standards are upheld and that the customer will be getting what they’re supposed to, and that the products are consistent with the highest quality, safe, and functional.

Data collected during these quality checks throughout the manufacturing process had always been gathered using paper, which presented challenges for Moody and the quality control team. Having the data collected on paper allowed the team to record the results of the checks and inspections but left them with a disjointed system of information that could not be used practically beyond simply a recording tool. Important information was being gathered through these checks, but they were unable to make good use of it.

With paper, it was difficult to draw big-picture conclusions based on the collected data, because it was practically impossible to compile it in a way that would be meaningful to the team and that would allow decision-makers to determine the proper courses of action.

Adopting an Electronic Data Collection System

Moody began searching for a paperless data collection system that would allow his crew to collect necessary data using mobile devices and associate the information directly to an asset. The intent was to have a system that would allow the company to ensure excellent manufacturer quality control by being able to track data historically in order to identify problem areas, address them, and track the improvements.

Kale sifted through many potential products and tested two or three, but all that was offered were products that were one-size-fits-all and not at all customizable to Taylor’s needs.

After a while, Moody was introduced to Nektar’s mobile data and asset management platform. Not only was the tool a completely blank page that the Nektar team would build to fit Taylor’s needs, but Nektar also used industrial-strength adhesive QR tags to uniquely identify individual assets and then record, store, retrieve and utilize information pertaining to all checks and inspections for each asset.

The QR tags acted as a license plate to the asset and a conduit to and from the database; whatever checks or electronic inspections were done would be recorded into the database and tied directly to a specific asset.

Realizing the Potential of Mobile Data Collection

Moving from a paper-based system to electronic was necessary and took effort, organization, and strong leadership; however, Moody reports that pushback was minimal to non-existent.

“Most people, once they realized the potential of it, that was not an issue. It benefits the people working because it’s less hassle and less paperwork.” Kale Moody

The mobile data collection tool allowed the quality control team to trace, track and watch data while being able to attach it to a specific asset. The same checks and quality control inspections were still being completed during the manufacturing process, but rather than data being collected on paper, workers would perform their regular work, record the necessary information about a specific asset using their smartphones. They would then scan the QR tag attached to the piece of equipment being checked, and the information would be stored forever in the database and directly associated with that asset. The data could then be retrieved from the database using a smartphone by scanning the tag, or on the desktop by searching, sorting, querying or filtering by any of the assets’ unique attributes.

Nektar Reporting

Perhaps most useful for Taylor is the ability to view necessary information and trends with the Nektar reporting tool, allowing for the most efficient use of the data. The Nektar reporting function is used to isolate only the information that users wish to see in an easy-to-read electronic format. For example, for workers on the floor, each individual can pull up a report that shows them only the things that they need to fix, providing Taylor with the ability to filter information depending on who needs to use it.

This provided Taylor with the ability to identify any problem areas, such as the number of deficiencies or a high reject percentage in certain areas, address the issues, monitor improvements, and continuously view progress in order to get better.

The Benefits of Mobile Data Tracking for Quality Control

As far as Kale Moody is concerned, the value of Nektar’s platform is just beginning to be tapped. The many benefits that have been realized so far include:

The improved quality control system
Robust electronic record keeping
Reduction in manufacturer deficiencies
Reduction in reject percentages
Having an entire history of all asset checks and inspections at Taylor’s disposal
Increase in efficiency of quality control processes
Elimination of paperwork
Reduction in the amount of physical space needed to store paper documents of checks and inspections
Elimination of lost paper and important information, reducing the time needed to redo checks and inspections
The ability to make changes to checks and inspections on the fly and all changes are reflected immediately across all users’ devices
Possibility of further integration in the company with the product, due to its versatility
Using historical data for future learning for people that may not yet be a part of the company

With almost a year of useful, accessible data at their fingertips, Taylor Machine Works is beginning to use the information that has been collected over the months to identify trends from the checks and inspections. The most valuable part of the system according to Moody is that for the first time, using the data, the company is able to identify the problem areas, focus on the perfection of those areas, and track and monitor the improvements, while being able to show the occurring progression of the improvements.

The Results

The versatility of the Nektar platform has led Taylor Machine Works to explore the possibility of using it in other areas of the business beyond quality control.

“It has opened the door for a lot of other opportunities! Over time, I feel that we would use it in much more of a production and management area. Instead of going back and forth running to the PC and looking for information, all that information will be there handy, no matter where you are in the plant and Nektar will be a big part of that.” Kale Moody

It is the dedication to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction that has been the reason that Taylor Machine Works has been around so long and is an industry leader in the production of forklift trucks. The ability to collect data electronically and use it to reduce manufacturer deficiencies and track reject percentages has made Nektar a valuable asset to the company. With the progressive nature of the Quality Control Division under Moody’s leadership, and armed with a powerful tool like Nektar, the team will no doubt continue to get better and will provide their customers with high quality, safe, functional equipment for another 87 years.