Kara Finch, Managing Director at DirectBor, discussed the transformation from fragmented site management to a unified digital operations platform. Specialising in directional boring and civil excavation services for electrical and communications infrastructure, DirectBor operates 143 plant and equipment units with 63 personnel (direct employees and subcontractors) supporting critical telecommunications and power distribution networks across Australia.
The results delivered measurable improvements in safety compliance, asset visibility, and operational efficiency across dispersed job sites.
DirectBor’s Challenges and Objectives
DirectBor faced significant challenges due to rapid growth over three years. Their existing systems and processes were no longer efficient for managing the increased resources and workload.
The primary objectives were to maintain client satisfaction and ensure the safety of their employees. The risk of losing key clients and increasing safety incidents was a major concern without an effective management system. Customization was essential due to the specific contractual requirements of DirectBor’s clients. Kynection’s ability to offer tailored integrations was a key factor in its selection over other systems.
Implementation and Results
DirectBor experienced immediate positive results after implementing Kynection’s systems. They began with a phased approach, initially involving a few site crew members to test each module. The centralised system provided easy access and was quickly adopted by the entire staff. The transition to Kynection was smooth, thanks to a gradual rollout of modules.
This approach allowed both management and site crews to familiarize themselves with each aspect sequentially. DirectBor received one-on-one support from Brett Southgate, ensuring timely resolution of any issues and continuous learning and usage of the system by the site crew.
| Aspect | Before Kynection | After Kynection |
| Administrative Workload | Fragmented processes across multiple disconnected systems | Centralised platform reducing admin work by 50% |
| Asset Visibility | Limited visibility of plant and equipment units; slow resource allocation | Real-time visibility of all assets; faster resource allocation and reduced downtime |
| Safety Compliance | Manual, dispersed documentation across sites; regulatory risk | Structured workflows, mandatory pre-start checks, and automatic audit-ready documentation |
| Personnel & Project Management | Communication delays across 63 dispersed personnel; coordination challenges | Centralised management reducing delays and improving safety culture |
| Financial Reporting | Manual integration with accounting software; inaccurate job costing | Automated MYOB integration providing accurate job costing and real-time financial reporting |
| Incident Tracking | Increasing safety incidents; manual investigation processes | Automatic incident tracking and structured investigation workflows; reduced incidents |
Regulatory Alignment
DirectBor operates in a heavily regulated industry and must comply with WHS (Workplace Health & Safety) requirements for civil works, equipment operations, and site safety. As a contractor for telecommunications and power infrastructure, they must maintain documented evidence of safe work practices, equipment maintenance, and incident investigations.
Kynection’s integrated system ensures safety compliance through structured job workflows, mandatory pre-start checks, and automatic incident tracking, reducing safety incidents and supporting comprehensive regulatory audits for government bodies and major clients.
Key Outcomes
- Real-time visibility of all plant and equipment enabling faster resource allocation and reduced downtime
- Structured safety compliance processes across all dispersed sites with automatic audit-ready documentation
- Centralised personnel and project management reducing communication delays and improving safety culture
- Automated integration with accounting software (MYOB) providing accurate job costing and financial reporting
- 2023 Geelong Business Awards recognition demonstrating industry leadership in operational excellence
Daily Benefits of Kynection
- Centralised access to all necessary systems and information.
- Efficient management of assets, employees, projects, and documents.
- Real-time updates and integration with existing accounting software.
- Enhanced reporting capabilities and greater operational visibility.
Cost and Time Savings
While Kynection represented an investment, its extensive benefits have streamlined DirectBor’s day-to-day operations, leading to substantial cost and time savings. The integration between MYOB and Kynection streamlined payroll and administrative processes, leading to significant time savings. The partnership with Kynection has been instrumental in supporting DirectBor’s growth and operational efficiency. The software has not only streamlined processes but also significantly contributed to maintaining client satisfaction and employee safety. Using Kynection also gained them the title of Business of the year at the 2023 Geelong Business Awards. Kynection was an integral part of securing this award.
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