Adapting to rapid change
None of us know with any certainty what the future holds, but housing providers and councils can understand their potential futures and plan accordingly. And by being aware of the impact of megatrends and automation, they will be in a good position to plan for change.
The pandemic catalysed the implementation of networking technologies and the digital transformation of organisations. In fact, the disruption to our normal work practices sped these transformations forward years, if not decades, as workforces became virtualised overnight, and connectivity was critical to the way we collaborated and conducted business.
This rapid digitisation presented an opportunity for housing providers and local government bodies to transform their operations in ways that created entirely new levels of efficiency and resilience, particularly in resource-intensive sectors such as field service management.
Looking ahead with digital
As March and April mark the beginning of the new financial year for most government and housing organisations, this period is crucial for planning the upcoming 12 months and finalising budgets. The time for strategic planning is now, and these organisations will be evaluating effective measures to enhance performance and optimise budget management.
Many in housing and the wider public sector recognise that investing in technology is key to driving efficiency and staying ahead of rising costs, but where exactly should spend be targeted? Technology is a broad term, and it is not always easy to know which strands will best support the finance function. Here are 7 key areas for consideration.
1. Mobile
Mobile phones are a given, and their dominance over other forms of technology continues to rise. Today’s workforce and customers expect to be able to use their phone to communicate in real-time. Implementing mobile solutions to accelerate internal processes and deliver core functions is paramount to connecting operatives and providing optimal service for residents.
2. Analytics
While technology provides an abundance of data, it remains ineffective unless you have a clear way to interpret it. There are now powerful business intelligence tools that offer a holistic real-time view of field-based performance, allowing issues to be resolved proactively and deliver effective decision making.
3. Automation
Automation is nothing new and can be a relatively simple step that, when done right, delivers significant efficiencies, contains costs, and improves compliance. By using Intelligent Automation such as artificial intelligence (AI), business process management (BPM), and robotic process automation (RPA), processes can be simplified and free up resources. Organisations should consider which areas of manual intervention have repetitive processes to see how they can improve operational efficiencies with digital solutions.
4. Integration
Having multiple systems that don’t ‘talk to each other’ gives pockets of information but no overall view. Software applications should be integrated so that they work for, and not against, organisational efficiency. Integrated software plays a major part in the success of any digital transformation strategy. By unifying data sources to offer a single version of truth, it is easier to identify areas where efficiencies can be made.
5. Security
The benefits of advances in technology have brought with them an increase in cyber attacks, meaning security is more important than ever. Housing and service providers need an effective security strategy of detection, prevention, and response. The strategy should involve the use of security policies, software tools and IT services to protect data, processes and resources against breach and misuse.
6. Cloud
Cloud computing now incorporates a vast range of options. By using cloud services, organisations can move faster on projects, and test out concepts without lengthy procurement processes or major upfront costs. If the application has defined usage (for example, it is only used at a particular time of the week or year) it makes financial sense to have it hosted in the cloud. The cloud provides a scalable, cost-effective infrastructure, eliminating the need for expensive IT management resources.
7. Social
There are now around 5.17 billion users of social media across the world and its power should not be underestimated. It has had a huge impact on culture, the way individuals and businesses communicate externally, and is increasingly changing internal communications. This trend is only set to increase as an increasing number millennials – for whom social media is the norm – deliver the workforce. Organisations need to embrace social media as key to engaging with staff and customers.
Joining forces
It is important to remember that technology is just part of business transformation. When considering which applications to implement, it is important to find a provider with a proven track record. Their expertise and experience will be critical in understanding your organisation’s objectives and helping you to implement and get the most out of your technology.
For an in-depth look at the ever-evolving world of field service management and how to future proof against change, don’t miss our insightful white paper: Field Service Management 4.0.