Change Management

xoserve understands and operates within the complex regulatory framework of the gas industry, has participated in managing a number of key industry change programmes and implementing new systems and processes to support changes. Through established change procedures and recognised methodologies xoserve has been able to successfully deliver major change to the commercial gas regime, notably RGMA and facilitating the smooth transition of Distribution Networks Sales. Through on time completion to budget, we also enabled our customer’s to realise additional benefits.

1.1 Testing Environments

xoserve appreciates that industry driven initiatives potentially require change to individual companies systems and interfaces. To support change xoserve maintain a number of environments, which can be made available to the broader community enabling interface testing to be undertaken and reducing the risk of issues occurring post new system implementation.

1.2 Project Management Capacity

xoserve delivers an end-to-end Information Systems development service including Business Analysis, development, testing and implementation of new IT solutions across a range of applications and platforms. This capability is further supported by a Project Management system, utilising the best practice, PRINCE2 Methodology.

Data Management

To facilitate Britain’s competitive gas regime xoserve stores and maintains information on the UK’s 21 million gas supply points using one of the largest Oracle databases in Europe, yet the value we provide to the industry does not stop there. xoserve realises that high quality and relevant information is at the heart of any successful company and as such have developed a range of products to offer far more than a data store for gas shippers and suppliers.

2.1 Data Reporting

xoserve can provide an exclusive insight into the British gas market by offering an extensive database supply point register interrogation and reporting service. We are able to offer a wide range of established reporting products such as [portfolio] reports together with a bespoke service to provide our customers with the most valuable information they need to improve their businesses.

2.2 Data Analysis / Validation

xoserve understands the importance for gas companies to understand the raft of data they receive from numerous sources within the industry and more significantly how to assess the impact of this information on their business. To assist in this area, xoserve is able to use our vastly experienced commercial analysis and operational research experts to provide value adding analysis of gas data for a variety of objectives such as providing a net energy trading assessment for gas shippers.

2.3 Data Publishing

xoserve realises that the key to an efficient gas industry is the ability of industry participants to access and utilise up to date and reliable data. To help achieve this xoserve has the ability to consolidate and publish industry wide information for the benefit of the industry through a wide range of media whether included within a regular DVD-Rom update or as part of an online gas enquiry service.

2.4 Data Transmission

xoserve recognises that the key to an efficient competitive gas industry is ensuring that important information is communicated to and from one organisation to a number of industry participants. As such, through our Enhanced Information Exchange (IX) Network, xoserve is able to offer our customers within the gas industry a fast and secure point-to-point network over which to share business critical and support information with one another.

Knowledge Sharing

xoserve understands and operates within the complex framework of the gas industry, having established a positive and constructive relationship with industry participants as well as gaining recognition for providing significant, valuable contribution to industry forums and workgroups. xoserve frequently analyses / responds to consultations and has supported development of more than a quarter of the Uniform Network Code Modifications raised to date.

With responsibility as the consolidated service provider, xoserve underpins the key processes that support the gas industry including Supply Point Administration, Annual Quantity (AQ), Transportation Billing, Energy Balancing, Gas Trading Systems and CSEPs Administration. We have the in depth industry knowledge and expertise to support our customers internal learning requirements and support development of cost saving initiatives.

3.1 RGMA Overview

The Review of Gas Metering Arrangements was implemented in July 2004 to enable more active competition within the metering market. This was a major change to the industry and involved the creation of new processes, procedures and a shift in responsibility for the maintenance of updating meter asset data on xoserve systems.

With its detailed knowledge of RGMA xoserve is able to support shipper by providing an overview of the current arrangements, including file formats, data ownership and operational process guidance.

3.2 1-2-1 Expert Training

xoserve excels at service management, achieving high standards of service in terms of performance, accuracy and timeliness. By utilising the knowledge and experience gained xoserve is ideally situated to support any gas related process training and can work with companies to deliver bespoke packages, providing them with maximum value.

3.3 AQ Process Training

The annual review of a Meter Point Annual Quantity (AQ) is an important time for our customers with millions of AQ amendments requiring assessment. xoserve possess the knowledge of calculating AQ’s and operating the amendments / appeals processes, which can be shared through knowledge sharing sessions or detailed analysis support.

3.4 Filter Failure Training

For our customers, outstanding Filter Failures incur liability penalties and place additional costs on their business. Utilising expert knowledge on meter reading cycles and rejection reason codes, xoserve is able to offer a comprehensive service for the resolution of Filter Failures, ranging from process overviews to supportive analysis of individual failures.

Process Management

xoserve has operated and managed gas related processes since the introduction of domestic gas competition in 1996, and as such is in an excellent position to provide independent, expert advice on

4.1 Process Improvement

Through experience of managing a range of complex industry processes xoserve possess the capability to support external parties in reviewing their internal business processes and streamlining to maximise efficiency.

4.2 Outsourcing

Further to providing ad hoc services xoserve has the capabilities to assume ownership of our customer’s processes, enabling more efficient management and an economy of scale savings to be realised.