Member Article

ChipsAway eliminates inefficient job management through the Cloud

London, 10 August 2012 –ChipsAway, the UK’s largest minor vehicle body repair specialist, has selected Cloudreach to automate its job management processes through the Cloud. The Cloud technology solution will enable ChipsAway to achieve further growth by allowing its operators to complete more jobs by working more efficiently.

Previously, many of the operators working for one of ChipsAway’s 340 franchises had been relying on pen and paper to keep records which quotations would be based on. Many were unable to generate reports so the business did not have visibility of how many jobs were being completed across the country and at what cost they were being charged.

ChipsAway needed to work with a company that had an in-depth understanding of its requirements so its franchisees could work more effectively and help the company achieve its aggressive growth aims. In order to move away from its dated, paper-based job management system, Cloudreach was selected due to its ability to create custom-built applications.

To manage and streamline ChipsAway’s job management and invoicing processes, Cloudreach built a bespoke Android app that links Salesforce.com with the company’s fleets through a tablet computer, underpinned by Google Apps. It enables ChipsAway to track geographical pricing and advise whether franchisees should increase their prices and if there is a discrepancy that could be losing them business. The solution also offers enhanced communication through an online dashboard.

Ali Ball, Technology Director at ChipsAway, comments: “Cloudreach has done the heavy-lifting by developing a custom-made application to help us streamline our job management, invoice processing, reporting and communication among operators. We now have a framework in place that can be replicated across our network, tailored to our requirements. User acceptance so far has been incredible, with more than 60 active operators to date. We have been thrilled with the new intelligence we can gather, and our franchisees can only benefit from the added support from our network and an easier way to process leads.”

Pontus Noren, Director and Co-founder of Cloudreach, said: “At Cloudreach, we extensively assess businesses to understand the issues they face, and we have the capability to create custom apps that are fit-for-purpose through a consultation phase and a gradual implementation. ChipsAway presented a unique challenge, but the benefit of a Cloud-integrated system will dramatically enhance its fleet management, and has been well-received even in the first stages of implementation.”

-ENDS-

About Cloudreach

Cloudreach Limited, founded in 2009, is a leading Cloud computing consultancy, based in London, UK, with extensive expertise around Google Apps and Amazon Web Services. The company is the only partner in the UK to hold top tier status with both Google Apps and AWS. Its main services include Cloud Consultancy / Evaluation, Migration to Google Apps and AWS, and PaaS based custom Application Development. Unlike other consultancies, Cloudreach provides end to end Service Management for Google Apps, Amazon Web Services and Application Development. This is executed from a dedicated 24/7 Network Operations Center & ITIL Service Desk, manned by highly skilled Agile DevOps engineers based in Scotland.

Cloudreach is one of the most innovative companies in the fast growing market for Cloud-based IT services, and is on the leading edge of market developments. In 2011 Cloudreach deployed more seats (>24,000) than any other UK based Google Apps partner. Among its many successful deployments, Cloudreach’s clients range from a variety of sectors including media, architecture, financial services, Government bodies, and high-end fashion brands. Cloudreach is ISO27001 accredited across all business processes and is a member of the Global Cloud Partnership. More details, visithttp://www.cloudreach.com/.

About ChipsAway

ChipsAway is the UK’s leading specialist in minor automotive paintwork repairs, with around 350 specialists in successful operation around the UK and a network of Master Franchisors worldwide. Franchisees operate from liveried vehicles customised into fully equipped mobile workshops and CarCare Centres, fixed base units. They provide convenient, high quality paintwork repairs within a matter of hours and at a fraction of the cost of traditional body shop methods.

With over 34 million vehicles on the road and up to 17 million minor damage repair opportunities every year, ChipsAway estimates that currently it serves only 3% of its potential marketplace. The quality, value and convenience of ChipsAway ‘on-the-spot’ repairs ensure the company remains the dominant brand in this lucrative and rapidly growing marketplace with franchisees having the opportunity to expand rapidly into a major management franchise with multiple vehicles, territories and CarCare Centres.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Cloudreach .