Handheld PCs has a suite of mobile software applications designed specifically for the Housing sector to enable Housing associations to achieve cashable and non-cashable efficiency savings.  These discreet but important mobile software applications fill the gaps in service that the main housing maintenance and repair applications tend not to cover. 

The objective of these software applications is to increase the quality of service outputs through faster repairs, increase the quantity of service outputs by increasing the volume of repairs and improve the quality of service outcomes by the efficient monitoring and reporting of tenant satisfaction with repairs.

The four main areas that 'hand-e-forms' from Handheld PCs addresses in order to achieve these savings are as follows:

1. Digital Image Management: The common issue with digital photographs is the time lost through having to take the camera back to the office of depot to upload the photographs and then the problem of storage and associating the photographs with properties and individual repairs.  hand-e-pix and the 'hand-e-pix media manager' from Handheld PCs enables the maintenance teams to capture digital images with a time and date stamp on their mobile phones and then add relevant information on the phone about that image.  This is then GPS located and sent wirelessly back to a central database where the images can be viewed on a map, with the associated information enabling line managers and senior managers to make informed decisions.  This may be the decision to send more resources to site, send the correct replacement equipment or instruct the tradesman on site to continue work. Any situation where a picture will assist in the efficiency of completing a repair or associated task hand-e-pix will add value.

2. Tenant Satisfaction Surveys: The ability to capture accurate and timely information from tenants about their satisfaction with the service provided by their housing association is important to improve future performance.  Handheld PCs has developed a simple and easy to use software application for capturing tenant feedback when the Housing Officer is on site.  This is captured in a discreet way so the Tenant can maintain the privacy of their answers and it includes signature capture, time and date stamp and other relevant information to prove its legitimacy.  This way the negative feedback can be sent directly to the customer services team to begin the resolution process and ensure a high level of customer satisfaction is maintained.

3. Vehicle Inspection Surveys: Reducing the paper burden on the Housing Association Officers and administration team is the key advantage of this mobile software application.  Drivers are encouraged to collect the information on a simple check list and are required to sign to verify that they have the correct equipment and are suitable to drive.  This information is then sent the appropriate team if repairs are required or if service will be disrupted due to vehicle issues.  Again this continues the theme of maintaining a consistent and high level of customer service with the Housing operation.

4. Income Recovery Form: This enables the Housing Association Officer to capture the payment commitments from tenants which include time, date and signature along with the agreed payment schedule.  Once sent from the device this software provides the accounts teams with up to date records of payment schedules and ensures payments are accurate, at the correct intervals and also provide the tenant with added confidence that the information they are providing will result in a better, more efficient and accurate service from their Housing Association.

Alun Dowling, Head of ICT for RCT Homes comments;

" The three applications provided by Handheld PCs are being used by 50 of our Housing Inspectors. They are helping us to achieve great results within our community. We are already scoping the fourth application to improve the management of pictures captured in the field by the mobile devices"