North software helps drive to end fuel poverty

Jan 8 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

SOFTWARE developed by a North East firm looks set to play a major role in the Government’s national drive to cut fuel poverty.

Gateshead technology firm Mobliq has been commissioned to design software for use on PDAs by partners of the Government’s national Warm Zones initiative.

The Warm Zones programme is aimed at encouraging householders to tap into free and subsidised insulation and energy efficiency programmes through a team of partners – including local authorities, support groups and energy and insulation contractors.

The initiative is managed by Newcastle-headquartered fuel poverty campaign group National Energy Action, which commissioned Mobliq to design the software for use by agents in the field.

The new software has already been adopted by Warm Zones agents in the Nottingham area and is expected to be rolled out across the country in the remaining 24 Warm Zones which have been identified by the Government.

Mobliq’s product will be used by Warm Zones staff and contractors who make door-to-door calls to explain the help available and assess the householder's eligibility for various programmes.

It allows them to use a handheld device to process information on the spot to assess a household’s eligibility for fuel-saving measures, meaning the advice, survey and installation process can automatically be started up.

Mobliq sales director Ken Taylor said: “We are already working on rolling out the Warm Zones solution to the rest of the 25 regional Warm Zones in the UK, which will make this product one of the cornerstones of our long term business plan and is set to create several new jobs over the next 12 months.”

Mobliq was launched last March by the directors of technology firm Synergiq which went into liquidation in September after struggling to service debts of about £185,000.

Mr Taylor said most of the debt dated from before he took over three years earlier.