Unlocking workforce visibility: Transforming Australia’s utility operations with FYLD

Navigating the evolving landscape of Australian utility providers

As Australia adopts permanent water-saving measures, reducing leakage has become a priority for utility providers. The Bureau of Meteorology reports that non-revenue water losses average around 10% of utilities’ system input. While this is low relative to some other countries, there remains significant potential for further reducing losses in a cost-effective manner through innovative technologies. Utilities are increasingly aware of the need to minimise leaks and enhance efficiency, particularly during drought conditions.

Simultaneously, the Australian Government’s Rewiring the Nation programme is investing AU$20 billion to modernise the electricity grid and deliver new transmission infrastructure. This initiative supports the transition to renewable energy, essential as legacy assets like coal-fired power stations close. By improving the reliability and accessibility of renewable energy, the programme is helping Australia meet its emissions reduction targets of 43% by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

In this complex environment, FYLD offers a vital solution. By delivering real-time operational insights through its AI-powered work execution platform, FYLD empowers Australian utility companies to prioritise critical issues, optimise resources, and meet stringent environmental regulations.

Harnessing opportunities across Australian utility operations with workforce visibility

Australian utility providers face a complex landscape, driven by a confluence of environmental challenges, regulatory pressures, ageing infrastructure, and increasing pressure on supply. From managing scarce water resources to transitioning energy networks, these companies must juggle competing priorities while maintaining operational efficiency and sustainability. 

In response to these challenges, the Australian government has committed AU$174.6 million over six years for water infrastructure projects, underscoring the critical need for enhanced water resource management. 

This investment, along with other industry pressures, highlights the key opportunities  utilities should be taking into consideration and acting on now:

• Visibility in utility operations

Operational efficiency is crucial in an industry where even minor delays can lead to significant financial and environmental consequences. Maintaining seamless communication between field teams and management is key to driving productivity and reducing downtime.

How FYLD helps: By boosting fieldworker and manager productivity by over 8%, FYLD enables utilities to save hundreds of thousands of hours annually. Its remote supervision capabilities reduce the need for on-site visits, helping to cut travel time and operational costs. Additionally, FYLD’s AI-powered platform streamlines team handovers, reducing downtime between shifts and speeding up repairs, especially when addressing water leakage.

• Financial and regulatory pressures

With regulatory bodies like the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) enforcing strict standards, non-compliance can result in severe financial penalties and operational disruptions. At the same time, utilities are tasked with making substantial infrastructure investments to keep pace with increasing demand and the push for renewable energy.

How FYLD helps:  Through FYLD’s enhanced workforce visibility, companies are provided real-time insights into job progress and compliance with regulatory frameworks like the National Water Initiative. This proactive approach not only optimises resource allocation but also ensures utilities meet compliance standards, avoid fines, and maintain uninterrupted service. With accurate, real-time data, utilities can better validate third-party work, ensuring quality and reducing commercial risks.

• Workforce productivity and remote interventions

Utilities often face inefficiencies in managing field teams, especially when coordinating between different locations and shifts. Efficient collaboration is essential to ensuring quick response times and optimal resource allocation.

How FYLD helps: FYLD enables remote interventions, allowing supervisors to address issues and plan leak repairs without constant on-site presence. This reduces leak runtime, improves overall productivity, and cuts operational costs associated with travel. With its real-time data analytics, FYLD helps utilities manage and schedule maintenance more effectively, minimising disruptions and allowing for timely issue resolution.

Proven benefits of FYLD in water utility operations

Water utility providers are already seeing significant benefits from FYLD’s AI-driven platform. Morrison Water Services, for instance, saved over 6,000 manager hours and 2,600 fieldworker hours through real-time site visibility and smarter supervision. Additionally, FYLD’s leak management solutions have reduced leak run times by 1.4 days for a prominent UK water utility provider, translating into the recovery of 2 megalitres of water per day. These operational improvements, coupled with enhanced safety compliance and productivity boosts, have led to cost savings exceeding AU$3 million. across multiple contracts.

Take the next step

As Australia's utility sector continues to evolve, FYLD stands out as a strategic partner. Through its cutting-edge technology, FYLD empowers utilities to tackle the unique challenges presented by climate change, ageing infrastructure, and rising demand. By optimising resource use and enhancing visibility, FYLD ensures that utility providers can meet the demands of a sustainable future.

Interested in how FYLD can transform your utility operations in Australia? Request a free demo today. 

For a deeper dive into FYLD’s impact on utility management, explore our case studies.