Case Study - Anglian Water Laptop Security
30.06.2006
The Client
Anglian Water is one of the leading water management companies in the country, covering the largest geographical area. Operating in the exceptionally dry region of Eastern England, it has an excellent record of water supply and waste services to its approximately six million domestic and commercial customers, and a commitment to sustainable development.
The Requirement
In a drive to reduce paperwork and increase efficiency, laptops have been introduced to a number of Anglian Water employees ‘on the road’ to enable them to download jobs and access email using GPRS mobile technology. The laptops are designed to withstand the rigours of life in the field, with a specification that includes rugged casing and water resistance. From the outset it was clear to Anglian Water that the introduction of laptops would allow faster access to information and cut down waiting times for customers, but it was also apparent that the relatively high value of the equipment would be an attraction for thieves, particularly as laptops had, by necessity, to be stored for long periods of time in the company’s vehicles.
The Solution
A senior manager from Anglian Water, working on the project, began a search for businesses that provided security cables for laptops. His mission became even more relevant as a small number of units were lost to theft during the early implementation phase of the project. He found LapSafe® Products via the internet and contacted the company with an urgent requirement for a high quantity of security cables to use with the first rollout of laptops. He was immediately impressed with the speed of response; from his first phone call the products were checked against stock and reserved, and whilst Anglian Water prepared the necessary paperwork and gained sign-off, the cables were prepared ready for shipping. The team at LapSafe® Products was determined to fulfil the order in the shortest possible time, as explained: “We had less than a month before the first rollout. We knew that as soon as it became common knowledge that laptops were carried around in some Anglian Water vehicles we would lay ourselves open to possible theft and therefore we had to act quickly. The response from LapSafe® Products was excellent and the cost very competitive. The cables arrived in time for the first phase of the project and were used from day one.”
The Future
A large number of security cables are already being used by Anglian Water but this requirement is set to increase as more and more laptops are brought into use. The success of the laptops in the field means that further teams are to receive this equipment, increasing their stock of mobile laptops to approximately 1,000, all of which will require security cables. Anglian water says: “We have received great service from LapSafe® Products.”
