Case Studies EPCOR Selects Avetta to Ensure Consistent, Reliable Vendor Prequalification

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	EPCOR Selects Avetta to Ensure Consistent, Reliable Vendor Prequalification

EPCOR Selects Avetta to Ensure Consistent, Reliable Vendor Prequalification

Technology Category	Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms
Applicable Industries	Utilities
Applicable Functions	Business Operation Procurement Quality Assurance
Services	Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services System Integration Training
Challenge	As a growing international utility company, EPCOR strives to meet customer needs, provide a safe work environment, and comply with government regulations. Contractors help the company keep its water, sewer, and power systems in peak working order. Management of the contractor relationships across its supply chain was spread throughout the various business units. However, EPCOR wanted a consistent contractor vetting process to ensure that it had the right contractors in the right place and at the right time, and to reduce risk for everyone. To support the continued growth of the company, EPCOR committed to improving prequalification, centralizing prequalification functions, and providing consistent contractor oversight to all the company’s business units. But meeting those goals requires significant administrative work to obtain and verify contractor information and keep the data current. To remain competitive and reach its quality and safety goals, EPCOR needed a system that would reduce its administrative burden and ensure the accurate and consistent vetting of contractors. Read More
About Customer	EPCOR Utilities Inc. is a utility company that builds, owns, and operates electrical, natural gas, and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems, and infrastructure in Canada and the U.S. Founded in 1891 and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, EPCOR operates with a mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. The company has a significant presence in both Canada and the United States, managing a wide array of utility services to meet the needs of its diverse customer base. EPCOR is committed to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and environmental responsibility in all its operations. Read More
Solution	Avetta differentiated itself from other providers with a strong prequalification process, a solid track record, and favorable pricing. Avetta’s cloud-based program gives EPCOR a complete view of its supply chain, and Avetta’s compliance specialists manage the program, reducing EPCOR’s administrative burden. Avetta’s steady communication with contractors also helps set expectations for the contractors and ensure that nothing is overlooked. In addition, the ease of use of the Avetta user interface was a major factor. “We had experience using other systems as contractors, and we knew how painful the process can be,” said Guy Greenwall, Senior Manager of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) for EPCOR. “Ease of use was important not just for us, but also for our contractors.” Avetta’s system for flagging contractors’ qualifications and any gaps is easy to understand. EPCOR can quickly and easily see if an amber or red flag is for a minor or major problem, and they can set controls on a contractor as needed to address specific issues. “When a contractor has a green flag in Avetta, we’re confident that we're off to a good start,” said Greenwall. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms

Applicable Industries

Utilities

Applicable Functions

Business Operation

Procurement

Quality Assurance

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services

System Integration

Training

Challenge

As a growing international utility company, EPCOR strives to meet customer needs, provide a safe work environment, and comply with government regulations. Contractors help the company keep its water, sewer, and power systems in peak working order. Management of the contractor relationships across its supply chain was spread throughout the various business units. However, EPCOR wanted a consistent contractor vetting process to ensure that it had the right contractors in the right place and at the right time, and to reduce risk for everyone. To support the continued growth of the company, EPCOR committed to improving prequalification, centralizing prequalification functions, and providing consistent contractor oversight to all the company’s business units. But meeting those goals requires significant administrative work to obtain and verify contractor information and keep the data current. To remain competitive and reach its quality and safety goals, EPCOR needed a system that would reduce its administrative burden and ensure the accurate and consistent vetting of contractors.

About Customer

EPCOR Utilities Inc. is a utility company that builds, owns, and operates electrical, natural gas, and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems, and infrastructure in Canada and the U.S. Founded in 1891 and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, EPCOR operates with a mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. The company has a significant presence in both Canada and the United States, managing a wide array of utility services to meet the needs of its diverse customer base. EPCOR is committed to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and environmental responsibility in all its operations.

Solution

Avetta differentiated itself from other providers with a strong prequalification process, a solid track record, and favorable pricing. Avetta’s cloud-based program gives EPCOR a complete view of its supply chain, and Avetta’s compliance specialists manage the program, reducing EPCOR’s administrative burden. Avetta’s steady communication with contractors also helps set expectations for the contractors and ensure that nothing is overlooked. In addition, the ease of use of the Avetta user interface was a major factor. “We had experience using other systems as contractors, and we knew how painful the process can be,” said Guy Greenwall, Senior Manager of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) for EPCOR. “Ease of use was important not just for us, but also for our contractors.” Avetta’s system for flagging contractors’ qualifications and any gaps is easy to understand. EPCOR can quickly and easily see if an amber or red flag is for a minor or major problem, and they can set controls on a contractor as needed to address specific issues. “When a contractor has a green flag in Avetta, we’re confident that we're off to a good start,” said Greenwall.

Impact #1	Ensured consistent and thorough vetting of all contractors to meet safety, quality, and insurance requirements.
Impact #2	Streamlined vetting process and reduced risk.
Impact #3	Reduced repetitive administrative tasks, enabling employees to focus on more strategic tasks.

Impact #1

Ensured consistent and thorough vetting of all contractors to meet safety, quality, and insurance requirements.

Impact #2

Streamlined vetting process and reduced risk.

Impact #3

Reduced repetitive administrative tasks, enabling employees to focus on more strategic tasks.

Benefit #1	EPCOR uses nearly 700 contractors.
Benefit #2	Prequalification of a single contractor can take anywhere from 4 to 32 hours of effort.

Benefit #1

EPCOR uses nearly 700 contractors.

Benefit #2

Prequalification of a single contractor can take anywhere from 4 to 32 hours of effort.

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Overview

EPCOR Selects Avetta to Ensure Consistent, Reliable Vendor Prequalification

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit