CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
How Electra Cut ‘Before You Dig’ Processing Time by 97% with FME, From 156 Hours a Month to Just 4
By partnering with Locus to automate their beforeUdig enquiry workflow with FME, Electra transformed a manual, backlogged process into a near real-time, fully automated system, slashing monthly processing time from 156 hours to just 4, eliminating 3–4 day turnaround times, and freeing their GIS team for higher-value work.
97% reduction in processing time
FME automation delivers a near-total elimination of manual processing time for beforeUdig enquiries
156 hours → 4 hours/month
Monthly GIS processing burden reduced from 156 hours to just 4, without adding headcount
3–4 days → near real time
Contractor turnaround time cut from days to near-instant automated response
209+ monthly requests handled automatically
High and fluctuating enquiry volumes handled reliably, without staff intervention
FME has released our GIS team from days of highly administrative manual processing and enabled them to focus on more skilled tasks that derive far greater value from our GIS systems. The creative solutions, FME technical expertise and energy to collaborate that Locus has brought to this project and others is highly appreciated.”
– Mathew Cooper, Network Digital Systems Manager, Electra
The Challenge
A Semi-Automated Process Buckling Under Growing Enquiry Volumes
Electra owns and operates the electricity lines and assets in the Kapiti and Horowhenua districts located north of Wellington, New Zealand. Locally owned, Electra has distributed electricity to these regions for more than 70 years. With customer numbers of 45,000+, Electra is the 9th largest lines company in the country.
To protect buried utility assets and ensure public safety, Electra operated a semi-automated process using the online service beforeUdig, which enables contractors undertaking excavation works to seek information on the location of utility assets, pipes, and cables in and around the proposed dig site, and communicate their planned activities with neighbouring authorities and utility service providers.
Electra faced a significant increase over time in enquiries proposing planned works in their operating area, often receiving up to 15 enquiries a day. This volume placed huge demand on the existing framework and team resources. Enquiries often took 3–4 days to process, which was unsustainable. Moving to a fully automated Before You Dig solution became a business priority. The existing process involved GIS team members performing manual, time-intensive tasks and Electra needed a better way.
The Solution
An FME-Powered, Fully Automated Workflow with Built-In Error Detection
Electra engaged Safe Software partner Locus, who proposed an FME-powered, fully automated solution with built-in error detection. The automated solution processes incoming enquiry emails and creates PDF reports with information about the dig site, which are then sent automatically to the planned work requester.
The system handles fluctuating request volumes without staff intervention and includes robust error-checking to ensure accuracy and reliability at every step delivering what the original manual process could not: speed, consistency, and scalability.
The Results
From a 156-Hour Monthly Burden to 4 Hours and a GIS Team Freed to Add Real Value
Using FME to automate the Before You Dig process reduced processing time from an average of 209 requests a month at 156 processing hours to just 4 hours. With reduced demand on staff, GIS team members are free to focus on other value-adding work. This solution delivered Electra’s Before You Dig Minimal Viable Product in the shortest amount of time and at the lowest cost.
Why it Matters
For utilities managing high volumes of asset protection requests, a manual locate workflow isn’t just inefficient, it’s a safety risk. When contractors wait days for responses, project timelines slip and the pressure to proceed without confirmation grows. That’s where accidents happen.
By utilising FME to automate the full beforeUdig enquiry process from incoming email through to PDF report delivery utilities can protect their assets, serve their contractors faster, and reclaim hundreds of staff hours every month for the strategic, skilled work that actually moves the organisation forward.
Success Stories
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FME supercharges Electra’s Dial Before You Dig Enquiry Process
In order to keep up with the high volume of planned work enquiries, Electra needed to move towards a fully automated ‘Before You Dig’ enquiry process. The existing beforeUdig enquiry process involved GIS team members performing manual, time-intensive tasks.