SMART LOCKS
PRIORITISING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS IN THE HOUSING INDUSTRY
» FOR INSTALLERS ACROSS THE housing industry , the past twelve months have not been without their challenges - new ways of working and processes have been adopted , while social distancing and stay-at-home orders have added a new layer of complexity to installations .
For affordable housing in particular , a key driver towards expanding the use of technology and embedding it into operations is undoubtedly the savings that can be made with regard to time , money and resources . The implementation of digital infrastructures and data standards into everyday processes can transform day-to-day tasks and streamline asset management .
Creating value through innovative , userfriendly technology
Technology driven solutions such as online management systems for everyday devices , for example remotely managed intercoms and digital noticeboards , allow housing providers to streamline timeintensive processes and reduce site visits and paperwork , while simultaneously delivering a consistent , high-quality service to tenants . It ’ s not just housing providers who benefit either : digital systems and technologies can also be applied to processes , such as rent payments , to make them user-friendly and intuitive for residents .
‘ Smart home ’ technology benefits both parties too . Take smart meters for example ; these technologies allow tenants to easily manage energy costs , while Housing Associations can be assured that buildings are more energy efficient . Plus , many smart devices allow for the collection of real-time data and intelligent self-diagnosis , so maintenance issues such as mould and damp can be either prevented , or spotted and tackled quickly .
Making connections More digital ways of working aren ’ t just about reducing costs and improving inefficiencies , however – they are also an important way of humanising and strengthening the housing provider-tenant relationship . Dialogue between both parties can often be transactional , confined to rent payments and maintenance requirements , but new technology is opening up and driving better conversations . Enhanced information exchanges and dialogue allow for a diverse range of needs to be identified and met , and for service delivery to be improved as a result .
With the added challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic creating new , physical gaps between tenants and Housing Associations , there is an increased need too for digital systems to bridge the gap . For installers across the affordable housing industry , finding a way of plugging these gaps and providing Housing Associations with a means of opening up communication channels with their tenants , is invaluable .
Building relationships
Intratone ’ s new Interactive Digital Noticeboard has been created specifically for this purpose : keeping tenants informed and connecting housing managers with residents like never before . With the noticeboard , housing managers can easily display important announcements – such as maintenance schedules and repair notices – to residents via our secure remote online management system . Plus , its unique survey function means that tenants can share their opinions and vote on key issues too . Tenants simply use the arrow keys to select their response and confirm their selection by tapping their key fob on the built-in proximity reader .
As the noticeboard is remotely managed , surveys and polls can be set up and posted by housing managers in minutes , and send to all sites , or just a select few . Anonymised poll results are available to view quickly too , making collecting tenant feedback easy .
With a 10mm thick safety screen and integrated security screws , the Interactive Digital Noticeboard is also a long-lasting , vandal-resistant solution . Plus , as with all Intratone devices , it uses GSM ( Global System for Mobile Communications ), which is the same technology that powers mobile phones . Thanks to GSM , the Interactive Digital Noticeboard is linked to our online remote management system without the need for ethernet cables .
Future-proof solutions
Bringing a wealth of benefits , digital solutions for the affordable housing market are set to become more and more popular across the industry . As well as looking for systems that reduce inefficiencies , the burden of administrative tasks and overall costs , Housing Associations will also be seeking to harness technology that improves their connection with residents too .
By offering customers digital-first solutions that are not only easy to manage and easy to use , but capable of driving productive dialogue , installers everywhere will be ready to face the digital transformation of the affordable housing sector head-on .
Find out more about Intratone ’ s new Interactive Digital Noticeboard at www . intratone . uk . com
MAR / APR 2021
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