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Baas gains more GRIP over processes

Baas is a Dutch company that delivers reliable solutions for energy, water, and data. With over a thousand employees, the organization is building the Netherlands' infrastructure and contributing to the smart infrastructure of the future.

To gain better control over the preparation and execution of specific projects, Baas must continue to innovate. In collaboration with HSO, Baas developed several applications using OutSystems’ low-code technology. This customer story highlights the outcomes of the collaboration between Baas and HSO OutSystems so far.

"A high-quality service ready for tomorrow's society." This has been Baas’ mission since 1898. Starting with the telephone and telegraph lines of the past, the company now focuses on the water, energy, and data networks of today and the future. However, delivering the desired level of service comes with several challenges.

The Need for Innovation
Baas initiated the innovation project with HSO OutSystems in response to several clear market challenges:

Processes are becoming more complex
Baas performs a wide variety of tasks for grid operators, requiring significant flexibility as a contractor. The company aims to follow a standardized process wherever possible and work uniformly internally. The infrastructure sector is experiencing a shift in responsibilities, with more tasks moving from grid operators to contractors. The specifics of these contractual shifts remain unclear, necessitating flexibility.

Doing More Projects with the Same Workforce
The workload is increasing and is expected to grow even further in the coming years due to the energy transition and the projected additional housing development (50% more over the next five years). With no increase in active workers within the chain, the challenge is to accomplish more work with the same number of people.

Demonstrating Quality
In an increasing number of contracts, the ability to demonstrate delivered quality is becoming a formal requirement.

Keeping Up with Chain Developments
The supply chain is undergoing digital transformation. The goal is a digital collaboration where both client and contractor are central, processes are as uniform as possible, and repetitive tasks within the chain are minimized.

GRIP: Major Framework Agreements and Infrastructure Projects
To find a future-proof and flexible solution for tackling these challenges, Baas engaged in discussions with HSO OutSystems. Following inspiration and knowledge sessions with Baas' management and other stakeholders, a strategy was developed. The objective: to gain better control over the preparation and execution of framework agreements and infrastructure projects. In early 2022, the development of applications began, collectively named ‘GRIP.’

From Concept Application to Delivery
Once the requirements for the applications were defined, a first concept application was quickly developed. After several feedback rounds, the project team delivered the first version of GRIP.

The Functionalities of GRIP
The initial delivery comprised a collection of applications consisting of several modules:

  • Platform Management
  • Contract Management
  • Project Management
  • Digital Work Map

Platform Management
This standalone module is used for user and access rights management for Baas' internal employees, as well as for temporary staff and subcontractors. It is a module designed for all current (and future) HSO OutSystems applications.

More GRIP

With the initial delivery of GRIP, Baas enables its employees to work more efficiently. The complexity of projects is simplified during the preparation phase because GRIP facilitates a standardized approach. Projects can be executed more transparently, which will enhance the quality of both service delivery and administration.

Contract Management
In the Contract Management module, project agreements with external parties are recorded. In addition to dividing contracts into segments such as gas, water, electricity, copper, CATV, and fiber optics, this module allows users to assign personnel to a contract, register (template) activities for each contract segment, and manage references.

Project Management
This module is used to create and manage projects based on a selected contract. Within projects, activities and documents are central. All project documentation is uploaded, reviewed, and organized into clear folders. Activities are planned, assigned, and completed, and each project is divided into several phases. For the execution phase, a digital work map is compiled from this module.

Digital Work Map
The Digital Work Map is a tablet application that (in the first release) ensures that field users can access all projects and documents they are assigned to. Additionally, users can take photos with the tablet and directly upload and store them in the appropriate project folder. Functionality on the tablet will be further expanded in the next release.

The Result for the End User
GRIP is initially launched for Baas' internal staff, temporary workers, and subcontractors. The applications will be used to support repetitive mainline work, which accounts for approximately 90% of projects. The benefits for end users? All information and documentation are centralized and always accessible. There are also fewer (repetitive) administrative tasks, and with GRIP's clear planning, the current status of tasks is always transparent.

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