EFT reduces overheads for utility start-up Water Plus
This case study describes how Pro2col delivered a smooth launch and cut costs for a utility start-up. It is a Globalscape EFT utility use case.
Water Plus needed to install a new MFT solution within a very tight deadline, otherwise they wouldn’t get their licence.
The company is a standalone venture, set up by Severn Trent and United Utilities. Deregulation in 2017 meant 400k non-household customers were transferred to the new company overnight. They had no infrastructure, a tight budget and very little time.
The solution was a system that could be set up quickly, provide the exact security and automation requirements they needed, and offer ongoing UK-based support.
Pro2col: On-tap specialists
“Using Pro2Col kept start-up costs down as installation was fifty to seventy-five per cent faster with Pro2Col’s engineers onsite,” said Chris Leach, Application Manager, Water Plus.
“Bringing Pro2col onsite made installation between 50-75% faster.”
Chris Leach
Application Manager
Process automation
“We would need an additional team of five to transfer files manually at peak times,” said Chris. “Instead, files can arrive a few minutes before processing without any issues. A member of staff couldn’t do that, especially at scale. MFT doesn’t need lots of people, saving huge staffing costs. It all works in the background. There is less chance of human error and less chance of files or data being sent that shouldn’t.”
For example, meter readings are automatically translated into the right format and stored in a certain place on the server. This can then drive multiple processes, such as email acknowledgements, generating bills and printing, right through to processing payment.
Security concerns
“Security was a major factor”, says Chris. “If you have files coming in and going out all over the place, there’s a lack of control. That means no security and no audit. Globalscape offered one single system that only needed one external IP in the DMZ for all the files so there’s less chance of getting hacked.”
The Gateway module provides a single point for files to enter or leave the network that is completely secure and under your control. Nothing comes through the Gateway without permission.
There are added customer benefits, noted Chris. “I can do all my white listing from one box and customers only need to white list one IP address.”
Auditing and reporting
Reporting is also really important to work alongside automated processes to prevent some predictable system problems. Potential issues are flagged, such as a file that is too large. Chris sets the trigger points and actions which can – for example – split the file up into smaller sizes to prevent overnight batch processing errors.
Room to grow
This was the Workspaces module for secure person-to-person transfers, which Water Plus added to their EFT solution two years later.
Ongoing support
“The communication Pro2col provides is clear and concise. When they’ve spotted issues, solutions have come straight away.”
Pro2col are independent experts in secure data transfer working with businesses to identify, implement and manage the right solution for their requirements. We help transform infrastructure, streamline processes, and increase productivity, collaboration and data security. Since 2004 Pro2col have helped over 800 business, spanning 30+ countries and a range of industry sectors.
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