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Introduction
Nicholas Ross, the CAFM and Hub Manager at PPP-IML, part of Compass Group UK& Ireland Ltd., shares his experiences transitioning from a legacy solution to MRI Evolution. His journey highlights the transformative impact of MRI Evolution on improving the efficiency and capabilities of delivering total facilities management services across their client base.
PPP-IML provide expert catering, cleaning, vending, security, grounds maintenance and total facilities management services to a range of clients and sectors across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
PPP-IML Helpdesk Hub has 15 experienced staff, including operators, team leaders, and managers who have used MRI Evolution for over 8 years. They provide Total Facility Management (TFM) services, managing 6 contracts and over 600 buildings across the UK and Ireland, with more than 12,500 PPMs and 163,000 assets on MRI Evolution. The Helpdesk Hub oversees all helpdesk activities, offering advice and support to clients.
Question 1: Can you introduce yourself and describe your role in the business?
Nicholas manages facilities across multiple PFI contracts. He has been closely involved in the transformation of PPP-IMLs’ systems over the last eight years, particularly the migration from their legacy FM solution to MRI Evolution.
“I work for PPP-IML… I started over 12 years ago with PPP-IML, then moved into contract support management. I was heavily involved when we changed to MRI Evolution eight years ago, and we were one of the first contracts to migrate.”
Question 2: How has MRI Evolution changed your processes?
Nicholas admitted initial reluctance during the switch to MRI Evolution but soon recognised the system’s potential. He found the solution particularly beneficial for managing assets and PPMS (Planned Preventative Maintenance Scheduling).
“After three months, I started to see the potential with MRI… I have seen various other CAFM systems and providers and none compare to the vast capabilities of MRI Evolution.”
Nicholas emphasised that MRI GO, the mobile platform, has been a game-changer. It allowed the PPP-IML team to eliminate paper-based tasks, significantly improving operational efficiency.
“GO changed the way we do things… it’s cut the workload in half. Having that remote access with GO made a massive difference.”
Question 3: What challenges did you face with your previous system?
The introduction of MRI Evolution has allowed PPP-IML to improve efficiencies by harnessing the power of remote functionality and reducing the duplication of tasks.
“It was all paper… You had to physically hand the job card to an engineer, and any updates had to be emailed or called in. With MRI, everything became seamless – live updates, photos, reports…”
Question 4: How has MRI Evolution impacted your bidding process?
MRI Evolution has been pivotal in helping PPP-IML compete in high-profile bids. Its intuitive interface, coupled with its strong asset management capabilities, has impressed prospective clients.
“MRI is huge… In a recent demo with a potential client, they were asking lots of questions, especially about Asset Management & Planned Maintenance including PPM planners, and their faces just lit up. It gives us an edge, especially in hard services bids.”
Nicholas also recalled a specific case where Intuitive BI, an advanced business intelligence solution that connects with MRI Evolution, played a crucial role in winning bids…
“I believe Intuitive BI was pivotal in helping a part of our business win a headline bid last year. Even though they didn’t go for it in the end, it showcased the system’s (MRI Evolution’s) breadth of capabilities and its ability to integrate with third-party solutions.”
Question 5: How would you describe your favourite feature of MRI Evolution?
Nicholas spoke passionately about MRI GO, underscoring its role in streamlining operations and offering real-time data updates for engineers on the go. He also praised the Survey Designer and Audit Now features, which have simplified reporting and auditing processes.
“GO was, and still is, the game-changer for us as a business. Having that interaction with GO, and how it links to the system, has transformed the way we work.”
Nicholas has created 46 surveys using the Survey Designer module and estimates it roughly takes 3 – 4 hours to create each survey. To outsource the same process to an SQL Designer, Nicholas estimates it would cost around £1,200 per survey and roughly 1.5x days to complete.
“I’m not an IT programmer, so Survey Designer is brilliant for someone like me. The drag[1]and-drop functionality is game-changing and is so easy to use. It means I can self-serve and keep momentum on projects without the costs.”
Question 6: Would you recommend MRI Evolution to others?
Nicholas wholeheartedly endorsed MRI Evolution, referencing the system’s continuous updates and its ability to improve over time. He especially appreciated MRI’s customer service and the system’s ability to adapt to the specific needs of different clients.
“Yes, absolutely… The two key features for us are how Evolution interacts with GO and the Survey Designer. It just makes everything so much easier.”
Final comments
Nicholas’ insights demonstrate the impact MRI Evolution has had on PPP-IML’s facilities management processes. From improving asset management to winning high-profile bids, MRI has proven to be an invaluable tool for PPP-IML, driving efficiency and supporting growth. As Nicholas summed it up:
“I’m very passionate about what we do and the system we use because if the system isn’t right, we fall down. It is the lifeblood of our business – MRI Evolution gives me total confidence in my role.”
To find more information about MRI Evolution and the benefits it could provide your organisation, contact MRI Software today.
W: https://www.mrisoftware.com/uk/products/evolution/
T: (0)20 3861 7100
