Sigma Seven wins contract for electricity transmission software

Edinburgh information mobilisation specialists, Sigma Seven, have been appointed by Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions to provide bespoke software solutions for the multi million pound project to replace the electricity transmission line between Beauly and Wharry Burn, 20km north of Denny.

The £290M contract, recently awarded to Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Limited, a subsidiary of SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy), is thought to be one of the largest public infrastructure projects of its kind in the UK.

Balfour Beatty is responsible for project development and design, including the installation of 200km of overhead transmission line. They will also construct 154km of temporary access roads and upgrade 124km of existing roads, equivalent in distance from Glasgow to Inverness. The contract began recently and is scheduled to be completed in 2015. The replacement line should be completed in 2014

Sigma Seven will assist Balfour Beatty in delivery of the project, with their product GeoField, a powerful, map-based, mobile work-management tool for hand held PCs.

GeoField uses state-of- the-art technology to bring data together from a number of sources, allowing field workers in remote and rural areas to access files, collect and manage data, organise tasks and record information directly onto digital maps.

It will also allow the Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions team to share information quickly and effectively with their colleagues at the company’s office in Derby.

Sigma Seven’s expertise will be of particular benefit to this project in a number of ways.

For instance, GeoField’s mapping ability will enable the on site team to make sketches, to help locate specific points in areas of featureless landscape. GeoField’s accuracy in recording data will also be of particular benefit, as much of the work will take place in hard to access areas, which involves the cost of transporting staff and heavy plant. Using GeoField will ensure that field workers do not have to visit more than once, reducing costs.

In addition, GeoField’s ability to operate in remote areas without mobile communication access, to produce reports on site and automatically update information about site conditions, will further enhance the smooth delivery of the project.

GeoField has created significant savings for Sigma Seven clients over the years - in some cases hundreds of thousands of pounds, saving companies time and money by speeding up and streamlining data collection processes. It has reduced the impact of field projects on the environment too, as no paper is involved and fewer car journeys are required.

Sigma Seven was founded in 2000 by managing director Paul Reid and has since grown to employ 17 people. Clients include Scottish Power, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Wales & West Utilities and the Health and Safety Executive. Sigma Seven has also worked with IBM, BT Global Services and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Mr. Reid said: ‘We are delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the success of this prestigious project, which is one of the most important contracts we have been awarded to date.’

‘We look forward to working closely with Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, as they progress with the smooth delivery of one of the UK’s biggest public infrastructure projects.’

Andy Smith, Pre-construction Manager, at Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions said: ‘We appointed Sigma Seven because of their impressive data mobilisation expertise. Their product, GeoField, will be integral to the efficiency of this project.’

For further information

Please contact Fiona Nicolson, Chameleon Media, 07791 982519

Notes to editors:

1. Sigma Seven is an information mobilisation specialist based in Edinburgh, UK.

2.  Sigma Seven creates integrated mobile work management, field data collection and map-based workflow systems. Its task-oriented solutions allow organisations to get the most from their data, combining it with maps and enterprise systems to enable field and office staff to work together more efficiently.

3.  Designed specifically for handheld computers, Sigma Seven's software suite GeoField streamlines fieldwork, improves productivity and customer service, and enhances the quality and effectiveness of corporate data. GeoField solutions eliminate paper from fieldwork, together with the waste, errors and laborious transcription work that goes with it.  They also increase compliance, enforce standards and bring environmental benefits from reduced paper, printing and vehicle mileage.

4. GeoField is adaptable, scalable and reliable with a proven track record endorsed by an enthusiastic base of satisfied clients. Sigma Seven's customers include many well -known names in Utilities, Government, Construction, Engineering and Environmental Services.

5. Further information about Sigma Seven and GeoField is available from Sigma Seven, Gordon Lamb House, 3 Jackson's Entry, 0131 557 1803 and at www.sigmaseven.co.uk.  

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