Sarawak Energy receives two awards at 2024 Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards

The company was recognised in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) - Energy and Learning and Development Technology - Utilities categories.

The Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards recognises exceptional companies at the forefront of technological innovation and digital transformation in Malaysia’s rapidly evolving economy. Sarawak Energy, a key player in the energy market, was recognised at the awards programme, specifically in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) - Energy and the Learning and Development Technology - Utilities categories.

The accolades were respectively awarded for Sarawak Energy’s innovative Mobile Onsite Billing System (MOBIS), a system that has significantly improved electricity billing and meter reading processes for customers in Sarawak, and for the company’s innovative use of virtual reality (VR) technology in training and development within the utility industry.

Mobile Onsite Billing System (MOBIS) 

Since 2006, Sarawak Energy has been using the Spot Meter Reading System (SMRS) for on-site billing at customers’ premises, a method that faced increasing challenges due to its manual data entry and overall slow process.

To address this, Sarawak Energy began exploring new possibilities in November 2020, which led to the development of the MOBIS, an in-house solution showcasing Sarawak Energy's dedication to continuous improvement through digital innovation and technological advancement. 

This customised in-house system, tailored to Sarawak Energy’s specific retail billing and meter reading requirements, demonstrated the company’s ability to innovate using its internal resources. Furthermore, the initiative resulted in a cost saving of more than RM 1m in application development and maintenance expenses, exemplifying the company's keen financial acumen and unwavering commitment to operational efficiency.

MOBIS is an integrated solution between Sarawak Energy’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and a low-code platform to streamline the end-to-end on-site billing process with an improved user interface and experience via a mobile capability. It optimises the mode of processing from manual batch processing to online and real-time processing of meter readings and invoice processing. 

The introduction of MOBIS resulted in significant improvements in the billing process. Tasks that previously took up to three days in the legacy system are now completed immediately in MOBIS, leading to heightened efficiency and reduced delays.

MOBIS has also contributed to improved customer satisfaction and a reduction in customer complaints on bill-related cases, evidenced by reported cases dropping from almost 11,000 in 2020 to less than 7,000 in 2023.

VR technology in training and development

Sarawak Energy heavily relied on instructor-led training in the past, encountering constraints and limitations especially when carrying out physical practical sessions. These challenges were particularly pronounced in high-demand courses like 11kV switching and Low Voltage Live Line Works.

As of Q3 2022, the introduction of VR as a supplementary learning tool has significantly alleviated limitations of physical sessions and elevated employees’ learning experiences. These VR modules replicate real-world scenarios within a virtual environment, providing an immersive and interactive platform for learners. This approach not only improves understanding and memory retention of complex procedures but also promotes safe learning in practical settings. The utilisation of VR in learning switching procedures has effectively reduced the risk of human injuries and equipment damage during live switching practices.

Since its deployment, over 100 technical personnel at Sarawak Energy have experienced learning using this innovative learning tool, with positive feedback expressing a desire for continued integration of VR. The company was able to gather insights and potential areas of improvement for the module, with an impressive 90% of participants advocating for the integration of more VR training into the training syllabus.

Continuous improvements include chapter selection, improved navigation, and the addition of safety modules. Sarawak Energy plans to extend the VR training to cover a broader spectrum of courses and explore the integration of augmented reality (AR) for an even enriched learning experience. 

Sarawak Energy's success at the Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards 2024 highlights its innovative approach and commitment to leveraging technology for better operational efficiency. MOBIS and the integration of VR in training represent significant contributions to the company's digitalisation roadmap of becoming a digital utility by 2025. These initiatives extend beyond mere technological solutions; they mark crucial milestones in Sarawak Energy's transformative journey towards becoming a more efficient, customer-centric, and forward-thinking utility provider in the energy sector. 

The Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].