Aareon Supports Digital Transformation At Equity Housing Group

Stockport based Equity Housing Group has embarked on a comprehensive digital transformation agenda with the support of a new social housing system from Aareon UK (www.aareon.co.uk). Combined, the new system delivers the widely acclaimed Aareon QL ERP solution, 1st Touch Mobile workforce software, customer self-service portal and CRM.

With over 5,000 properties combining shared ownership and affordable rented homes, Equity Housing Group’s portfolio is diverse. Its customers depend on the group to provide high-quality accommodation, a responsive repair service, expert advice and personal support that is professional, reliable and approachable. Equity realised that technology could play a major role in both delivering and developing these extremely high service levels and that its impact would be enterprise wide; from delivering new customer services to ensuring more efficient working practices. As a result, the group initiated its decision to go down the digital route by conducting an extensive review of the market including a competitive dialogue with the main candidates. The new system needs to achieve three things:

1. It has to improve customer choice.
2. It should improve efficiency for staff such as Housing Management Officers.
3. It should also improve commercial sustainability.

Equity chose Aareon. The decision was based both on market presence and system functionality, combined with the ability to access extremely high levels of professionalism and expertise. As Jon Brownbill, Business Lead of Equity’s Housing Management Transformation Project says; “We had the confidence to choose Aareon as quite clearly they are the market leader in housing management technology. Reassuringly, in dealing with Aareon, this strong market presence is underwritten by a level of evident professionalism and confidence that breeds an enormous amount of trust.

“In practise too, the Aareon system has many clear benefits including efficiency gains, raised productivity and enhanced customer response. In short, Aareon is the enabler for our digital strategy as they really understand what we are trying to achieve here. As a result, we have built an excellent relationship with them and we look forward to working extremely closely with them on delivering considerable digital benefits over time.”

Nigel Rees, UK MD of Aareon UK welcomed Jon Brownbill’s comments, adding; “Equity Housing Group has impressed us greatly, especially in the way they have set out to identify a comprehensive integrated solution. They have not only chosen one that is proven in the sector, but also one that fits their business and customer needs precisely. Ultimately, this will not only benefit the group in terms of efficiency but will also boosts both staff retention and customer goodwill. We look forward to hearing of the very real benefits they are achieving.”