Since 2001, ECONZ has been the driving power behind New Zealand's favourite roadside breakdown service, The Automobile Association, helping rescue an average 1200 stranded drivers per day. [ + ]

For many years, the importance of 'services' has been increasing in the global economy. This rise in importance is primarily the result of the impact of commoditisation, particularly in manufacturing-related industries. Manufacturers have relied on post-sale service given the impact commoditisation has had on product margins. [ + ]

With strong links to customer satisfaction and retention, achieving first-time fix is now the top business priority for field service organisations, according to a 2014 Insight Report (Transforming Service Delivery). [ + ]

In any enterprise, the workflow process from the point of job instigation right through to payment must be as efficient as possible. Workflow problems are common to all businesses, but it is even more critical when operating field staff. A smart system reflects the way you want to run your business, rather than dictating changes in processes to meet its parameters. [ + ]

MorCo Fresh is a wholesale food distributor specialising in daily deliveries of fresh produce. The company required a technology solution that would help optimise its day-to-day operations and maximise productivity and efficiency, both on and off the road. [ + ]

Reduced driving distance? Increased customer satisfaction scores? First-time resolution? When it comes to field operations, there are plenty of metrics that you could track. And if you aren't already measuring the success of your field operations, you need to start - now! [ + ]

Philips has provided LED pitch lighting for Chelsea Football Club, making Stamford Bridge the first top flight football club stadium to complete an upgrade to pitch lighting. [ + ]

The growth in worldwide fibre-optic communications has led to an increase in demand for economical and convenient fusion-splicing systems for a wide range of deployments including telco backhaul, access networks, FTTH, LAN, sensing and submarine installations. [ + ]

The Italy-headquartered cable manufacturer Prysmian Group recently hired Frederick Persson* as chief executive officer for Australia & New Zealand. ECD Solutions speaks to the new CEO about the current market conditions and future plans. [ + ]

The deployment of multifibre push-on cabling systems is rising as businesses try to address the growing data requirements. This article provides an overview of issues related to testing the cabling for these systems. [ + ]

Potential induced degradation (PID) can reduce the efficiency of a PV module. This article provides insights on PID, including how this degradation process develops, the conditions that make PV systems prone to it, its effects and the methods to correct or prevent it.

One of the challenges when deploying small cells, HD CCTV cameras, digital signage, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other remote devices is finding a local source of power for them. There are two alternatives to addressing this challenge: powered fibre cable and Power over Ethernet (PoE). [ + ]

Cable installers and network technicians are expected to cost-effectively demonstrate that their data cabling is installed correctly and is capable of supporting ethernet applications. With a wide array of testers on the market purporting to do similar things, and some just a fraction of the price of others, it's difficult to determine the best way to test your network. [ + ]

The new customer cabling rules came into effect in July 2013. With the new rules came a new clause, 17.3.1, that sets out requirements for cabling between separate buildings. To some cabling providers, this clause seemingly precludes the use of twisted pair cable for cabling between buildings. However, this is a misinterpretation of the clause.

Electricity customers could be better off in future, if the building momentum for network tariff reform leads to fundamental changes in the way electricity is charged for and used, said John Bradley, chief executive officer of the Energy Networks Association. [ + ]