Langstane Housing Association has chosen 1st Touch for the provision of a mobile working system for its responsive repairs workforce. The new software will link the operatives’ handheld PDAs to Langstane’s existing Aareon QL housing management system.
Langstane, which manages 3,500 properties in Aberdeenshire and Moray, expects to roll the new mobile solution out to other departments over time, including its voids team, rent arrears staff and neighbourhood services.
Given the variable mobile coverage in the Grampian area covered by Langstane, 1st Touch’s Smart Airtime feature, which sends data in short encrypted bursts eliminating the need for a constant signal, was one of the deciding factors in Langstane’s selection of 1st Touch. Another factor was the existing integration link previously developed by Aareon and 1st Touch between their respective systems.
Lynn Cargill director of customer services, Langstane Housing Association, said, “Previously, the use of paper-based forms generated an horrendous amount of paperwork. With 1st Touch Mobile, the paper function has been eliminated. The PDAs now electronically replicate the forms and the captured data is automatically updated on our systems. And with the new mobile technology in place our operatives no longer need to return to base to find the next job or to receive instructions. Overall, the resource savings will be huge.”
