Case study
October 2003
Information Sharing Gets Boost At Connetics
A search for a product to improve delivery of information to staff led Christchurch utility networks service company
Connetics to fellow Christchurch firm Webscape.
Webscape’s intranet-based information management system Ubique is significantly contributing to Connetics internal
communications and information sharing among about 120 staff with widely varying degrees of expertise and levels of
computer usage. Connetics is progressively introducing Ubique’s feature’s to its staff as part of an ongoing
implementation.
Connetics systems manager Stephen Harteveld led the company’s search for a reliable way to deliver information across
the organisation, which operates from three main buildings at its Woolston, Christchurch, campus and employs many field
staff. Both intranet and CRM options were considered.
Harteveld says the nature of Connetics contracting business makes it essential to provide rapid dissemination and easy
access to company policies, safety information and Government legislation. Ubique’s modular approach ensures information
of that type, either stored on the Connetics network or on other organisations’ websites, is just a click or two away
from the desktops of all staff with PCs.
Different modules within Ubique are also used to track staff movements on an electronic “in/out board”, record leave
applications and collect expressions of interest in company and external training programmes and other events.
Harteveld says Connetics also makes good use of Ubique as a portal to display realtime graphical accident and incident
reporting from Connetics own database applications. The IT department similarly uses it to monitor systems problems and
track overall performance in addressing issues.
While Connetics field staff - about 80 of the 200 total - are unable to access the system, Harteveld expects that to
change with the growing availability of wireless devices. Eventually, he says it is possible that Ubique could be used
in communications with staff out on the job as it is with the office-based staff.
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Ubique is the flagship product of Webscape, a Christchurch-based web application development house that provides bespoke
software development services and is growing its range of rentable web applications. Ubique is delivered to PCs on a
network using Microsoft Internet Explorer. It is fully customisable and comprises a set of modules enabling businesses
to improve their operational efficiency by delivering and sharing information.
Connetics operates as a utility contractor throughout New Zealand. It is based in Christchurch and is wholly owned by
electricity lines company Orion. It has 200 staff and annual turnover of more than $30 million.
LINKS
Webscape: www.webscape.co.nz
Ubique: www.ubique.webscape.co.nz
Connetics: www.connetics.co.nz