Vector launches world leading outage app

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - June 4, 2013 - PRLog -- Ahead of the winter storm season, leading multi network New Zealand infrastructure company Vector today launches the Vector Outage Manager, a world leading customer service outage app for android and iPhone smart phone users*.

Designed and developed in New Zealand, the Vector Outage Manager app is available free to Vector’s more than 690,000 customers at either the App Store or GooglePlay.

The new outage app has set a new global standard for utility companies and will support customers using the company’s electricity, natural gas and fibre networks, explains Vector’s CEO Simon Mackenzie.

“In developing this app, we looked around the world at how other large utility companies managed customer information during outages, particularly during intense storms such as Hurricane Sandy.

“We found that while some have mapping tools, most don’t have the level of interactivity that the Vector Outage Manager has.

“What makes our system unique is its customer focus. Customers can bookmark their important locations such as work, home and school, or multiple work sites. Our system does the rest and ‘pushes’ the information out to customers,” says Mackenzie.

Customers can then get updates as they happen in real time. A 3G or wireless connection is required and normal data charges apply.

With the uptake of mobile technology, Vector is providing information to customers in the format they prefer, says Mackenzie.

“In the unlikely event of a network outage want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to receive information about outages affecting their homes, businesses and other places of interest.

“It is a leap forward in the way we provide information to our customers and I couldn’t be more pleased that we are adding to our already extensive customer outage communications across all of our networks. We are committed to introducing new technology to improve our services and reduce costs. Innovation and smart thinking give us the ability to be world leaders in our field”.

The Vector Outage Manager includes the following features:
1.   Interactive outage map
2.   Bookmark function for important locations and push notifications
3.   A handy flashlight (turns the smartphone into a flashlight)
4.   Important customer phone numbers
5.   Essential safety information for outages
6.   Updates every three minutes

For customers with other non iOS or android smartphones, outage information can be accessed via Vector’s mobile website. The company’s other communication channels for outage notification (Twitter and Vector website) are also now running the new interactive outage map.

ENDS
*iPad version available in June

About Vector

Vector is New Zealand’s leading multi-network infrastructure company which delivers energy and communication services to more than one million homes and businesses across the country.

The company owns and manages a unique portfolio which consists of electricity distribution, gas transmission and distribution, electricity and gas metering installations and data management services, natural gas and LPG and fibre optic networks.

Vector is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange with ticker symbol VCT. Our majority shareholder, with voting rights of 75.4%, is the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust (AECT).

For further information, visit www.vector.co.nz

 


Sandy Hodge | External Relations Manager | Vector Limited
DDI: +64 9 978 7638 | Mob: +64 21 579 522 | sandy.hodge@vector.co.nz | www.vector.co.nz
101 Carlton Gore Road | PO Box 99882 | Newmarket | Auckland