How Stake Center Locating Saved Millions with OneStream's Sensible ML

Forecasting accuracy can make a huge difference for companies in professional services, and Stake Center Locating knows this better than most. As a leader in underground utility locating, they manage operations in 48 states, each with its own regulations. Seasonal changes, weather, and holidays made predicting ticket volumes a constant challenge. Overstaffing wasted resources, while understaffing created customer service issues and added operational costs.

David Kennedy, CIO of Stake Center Locating, knew they needed a more accurate, reliable approach to forecasting. The complexity of their operations required a solution that could account for state-specific nuances and unpredictable variables. That’s when they turned to OneStream, using its Sensible ML feature to overhaul their forecasting process.

The shift to Sensible ML had a noticeable impact. Forecasts became 15%-20% more accurate, helping the company better align staffing with demand. Over the course of a year, this added up to significant savings—millions of dollars, in fact. With 10 million work orders to evaluate annually, those improvements mattered. Processes that once took months were now handled in a matter of minutes, allowing the team to run detailed forecasts weekly.

The tool also gave them more control. Sensible ML allowed the finance team to adjust models, reports, and criteria without depending on IT. This flexibility not only saved time but also enabled quicker responses to changes in conditions like weather patterns or construction activity.

Beyond short-term forecasting, Sensible ML also improved long-term planning. Stake Center Locating used it to optimize truck leasing schedules and other capital planning efforts. By anticipating needs more accurately, they avoided unnecessary costs and kept operations running smoothly.

With these successes, the company is now exploring more granular forecasting, including by metro area and customer segment. This level of detail could unlock even more efficiencies and insights. Kennedy reflected on the transition, emphasizing how straightforward it was to implement and start seeing results.

If you’re curious about how Stake Center Locating improved its forecasting, you can hear directly from David Kennedy in this video testimonial.