Inform - Educate – Entertain (GDPR 3 of 3)

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


In this last and final blog, we will explore Data Breeches and Privacy Impact Assessments, including  documented processes for protecting personal data, information security and cryptography policy, procedures, etc.

Click here to read Part 1 and Part 2.

GDPR takes a dim view of data breaches. Organisations need to have procedures in place, to proactively detect and report any suspected or actual data breaches. All data breaches of personal data then need to be recorded and investigated. Issues must be addressed and security improved, documenting improvements.

Regular use of penetration (or ‘PEN’) testing, can allow experts to continuously monitor how secure systems are, with recommendations for resolution, to be followed up. Annual or at more frequent cycles are becoming popular, particular where software and solutions are cloud hosted. These offer new issues, than the well known on-premise options. That does not necessarily make cloud hosted solutions any less secure potentially, often quite the reverse, but it is prudent to check and be sure they are.

Data Protection must be designed into all of our solutions, that are processing personal data, by design. The ICO has what are called ‘Data Protection Impact Assessments’. This is a code of practice and readers will find more details on this link - https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=firefox-b&dcr=0&q=Opinion22017ondataprocessingatwork-wp249.pdf  .  These cover core processes at work, such as recruitment, monitoring of ICT usage, time and attendance, video and vehicle monitoring, among others. Reading more it is easy to see how our processes may carry data protection risks.

Does your organisation need, or have a designated data protection officer? If not, you may now need to consider one. Most socialhousing organisations I work with, have designated person(s).

Finally, the last key area is if your organisation processes data beyond a single EU state. This will certainly affect landlords operating within the UK and the Republic of Ireland (Eire). I have worked with more than one RSL in Ireland, that had schemes operated in the north and south. This is considered ‘Cross Border Processing’. A lead data protection supervisory authority, needs to be determined. This most likely would be where a central Housing Management System was based or operated from. Of course, some RSL’s may well operate on two separate systems.

So, from what I have tried to put together above, hopefully will give you the confidence that GDPR is not something to be afraid of. You are perhaps already well on the way to compliance already. Tackle the gaps before next Spring (2018) and you will be on your way! 

Related Post: Don't be a demo room dummy! 

Catch the blog monthly archive at https://soundcloud.com/housingitguy/

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Public Service Broadcasting - Inform - Educate – Entertain - Everest.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.
File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce,Information@Work components, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Information Management Server,IMS, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keypera Hometeam,Keyfax,Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice,MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS,mDesign,mobile functionality,mobile platform,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management,CRM2013,Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities,NPS,NPS Housing,NPS CRM,NPS Job Manager Mobile, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow,NPS ASSIST, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic Asset Management,Sunguard ,Surveys,Sx3,System alignment,Symatrix Human Capital Management, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts, Social Housing Software Applications, Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing,Tony Smith That,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT, guy,tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousinguy,tony smith housing guy,sharepoint, share point, SHBVN, Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy, TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,verse one,verseone,vWork,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App ..

Inform - Educate – Entertain (GDPR 2 of 3)

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy



In part two of this short and to the point series, let’s explore some of the GDPR nuts and bolts. Checkout the first part here.

Namely, have we got lawful basis for even storing our data and can we release it completely when requested? To robustly comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), organisations must now be able to maintain and produce a wide range of documentation, on demand if needed.

All orderly organisations will already I have sure, identified if its lawful for our data being held and processed. However, how well documented is this? GDPR requires robust documentation covering how holding and process of our data is lawful. In addition, privacy notices need to reflect this too. Examine yours, how good is your documentation in this regard? Remember that responsibility for the documentation’s accuracy will generally be down to the designated data controller.

Documentation of consent, how it is being obtained from each data subject, where is the record of it, is very important. GDPR strengthens this aspect of data protection. In social housing, it is likely that at lettings or tenancy sign up, we already tick this box. We need to review if current procedures meet the GDPR standard, or if they need to be made more transparent or robust. Question how your organisation seeks, records and then manages consent. Where is this recorded, could it easily be audited?

For the above, its hoped that mainstream systems will be providing specific fields to record and audit where consent has been positively obtained. Use of UDF/UDE/ad-hoc fields, while undoubtedly working, will lead to non-standard approaches, even within the same social housing systems. Hopefully some approaches have already started to be described for future enhancements particularly for GDPR pressure points along the tenant lifecycle, in a release late in 2017, by your software provider/supplier, in time for GDPR.

At this point, its salient to say that you should not really be asking your software suppliers, "What are you doing about GDPR?". You should be asking, "How can I use features of your system/solution, to better implement and comply with GDPR, and how are you improving those?".

In addition, we need to be engaging with our contractors, partners and others, who we are supplying data to, for limited use. EG during the life of the issue of a reactive repair or Works Order. How can we educate and 'ripple down' a GDPR culture to them too? Consider special workshops or briefing sessions with your contractors and vendors.

You can find numerous training organisations that have sprung up, to provide 'documentation packs' and the like, supporting this. Truth is, you can probably sort it easily in less than an afternoon, yourself. After all, a lot of that 'documentation' will only set you off on the road to getting this stuff in place. 

Information regarding children, now may need additional consent of parents or guardians. If not already in place, possibly systems to verify ages must be put in place.

Once all the above is in place, how robust are our systems and procedures for responding to ‘Subject Access Requests’? What places and system applications may be the sources, to satisfy a subject access request? Certainly, main housing management systems may be the primary source, but do not miss document management and other peripheral systems and applications. It’s time to think this all through now, be prepared (as Baden-Powell used to say).

• A quick recap on those essential compliance documents:
• (GDPR Article 13) - Statements of the information you collect and process, and the purpose for processing.
• (GDPR Article 7 & 8) - Records of consent from data subjects or relevant holder of parental responsibility.
• (GDPR Article 30) - Records of processing activities under your responsibility.

In the last and final blog, we will explore Data Breeches and Privacy Impact Assessments, including  documented processes for protecting personal data, information security and cryptography policy, procedures, etc.Checkout the first part here.

Related Post: How much does each method of payment cost your organisation? 

Catch the blog monthly archive at https://soundcloud.com/housingitguy/

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Public Service Broadcasting - Inform - Educate – Entertain - Spitfile.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.
File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce,Information@Work components, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Information Management Server,IMS, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keypera Hometeam,Keyfax,Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice,MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS,mDesign,mobile functionality,mobile platform,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management,CRM2013,Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities,NPS,NPS Housing,NPS CRM,NPS Job Manager Mobile, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow,NPS ASSIST, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic Asset Management,Sunguard ,Surveys,Sx3,System alignment,Symatrix Human Capital Management, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts, Social Housing Software Applications, Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing,Tony Smith That,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT, guy,tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousinguy,tony smith housing guy,sharepoint, share point, SHBVN, Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy, TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,verse one,verseone,vWork,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App ..

Inform - Educate - Entertain (GDPR 1 of 3)

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy



Few people will have by now, not heard of GDPR, the new data legislation due early in 2018. Clients in socialhousing as well as a number of suppliers are asking me about it. So I will be devoting a short series of blogs about it.

GDPR is becoming a bit like the Millennium Bug. The rash of seminars for £350 who will help read the planned legislation to you, reminds me of a previous age, when we had hand driers, plastered with ‘Millennium Compliant’ stickers, costing £12 a time. It’s a wee goldmine for some!

Too big to slot into one single blog, I will be looking to touch on some of the key areas of GDPR, we should be thinking about. Brexit will not change it and I feel we should not waiting for, or expecting our ICT suppliers, to be solving all our problems around it.

The first thing to consider, is how all our decision makers are being informed on how the law is changing. Communication is key. GDPR will affect all staff and good leadership will be essential.

Knowing the extent of how the changes will affect your organisation, is a wise move. Create an inventory of all the personal data being held. Once that has been determined, document carefully its source, and more importantly everyone that data is currently shared with. When this changes in the future, we need to revise our inventory accordingly. Fail to do so, and problems may result. Consider undertaking a formal information audit.

To think how this might work in practice for SocialHousing, the tenant journey is a key place where we collect, process, then need to dispose of personal data, no longer needed. Think about how you collect data from the lettings application and inform applicant why we need it etc.Think what we do with applicant data for people that do not become tenants. Is there a need to retain it, and if so for how long? At signup, do we need to make tenants aware of the data we use and how? When repairs are logged, how can we have our contractors & operatives handle this data securely and delete it when it is of no further use? At the end of a tenancy, or if a RTB or share of sale occurs, when do we expire and delete that data?

Current privacy notices and procedures, should also be reviewed. A clear plan and intention to make necessary changes, in a timely manner will be needed, to get this in time for GDPR implementation. Ensure it is on your SMT or board radar, to ensure proper priority to be applied.

Individual rights are a key element of the changes. Review and check your procedures, to ensure you are aware of the individual rights of your customers, users and others. Know how you will be able to delete (all) information held if needed, or produce information electronically conveniently, in a suitable format. Twitter do a good job of this already. My archive is over 30mb

I will be covering more aspects of the GDPR in my next blogs, this being one of the most important changes, affecting Social Housing currently.  


Related Post: Fooled already when procuring software? Don't be next time 

Catch the blog monthly archive at https://soundcloud.com/housingitguy/

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Public Service Broadcasting - Inform - Educate – Entertain.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.
File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce,Information@Work components, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Information Management Server,IMS, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keypera Hometeam,Keyfax,Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice,MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS,mDesign,mobile functionality,mobile platform,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management,CRM2013,Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities,NPS,NPS Housing,NPS CRM,NPS Job Manager Mobile, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow,NPS ASSIST, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic Asset Management,Sunguard ,Surveys,Sx3,System alignment,Symatrix Human Capital Management, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts, Social Housing Software Applications, Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing,Tony Smith That,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT, guy,tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousinguy,tony smith housing guy,sharepoint, share point, SHBVN, Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy, TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,verse one,verseone,vWork,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App ..

Where Do I Hide (these features…)

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


In case I was getting too pleased with myself for getting around at last to upgrade to Office2016, I had two of those Microsoft epiphany moments, to remind me, how so pants they are.

We are pretty lucky that its Google messing about with releasing driverless cars. If we left it to the arse-candles in Redmond, they would have probably dropped a tire [sic] off by now suggesting that some geek developer, thought it superfluous to our needs. They would have left the axle there obviously, just to irritate you about what you ‘could have won’. The 4th tyre will be missing, like the Trafalgar Sq fourth plinth, until well I don’t know when….

The next thing we might have lost was the ability to maybe tune the radio, rather than clicking one at a time through 250 possible channels, taking all day. We could solve the second one by dismantling  your dashboard pulling out cabling, patching some missing stuff together under the bonnet, like a bad afternoon in the Registry Editor. If you guessed right the hidden tuning feature might be back. Of course you might not have and damaged something else instead. Nightmare!

My missing tire moment was when I right-clicked on a mis-spelt phrase in Word, looking for ‘Autocorrect’ in the drop-down. You know what, its gone and there’s no registry hack yet to bring it back. Now that’s one of the most useful things you used to be able to do. Well there’s minutes every day I will now waste & never get back.

My tune the radio moment, came in Outlook. In 2017, is it asking a lot to search Outlook for ‘Something’ AND ‘Something else’, together in the same email or outlook item? Well nor did I.

But did you know that Microsoft have a hidden registry setting to switch that hidden feature on? Why hide it at all? Is that feature dangerous? Maybe it is, who knows what productivity savings we might make, finding stuff, be just like Google eh? If you think a Query tab in Outlook advanced search might change your life, check out this link - https://www.extendoffice.com/documents/outlook/1935-outlook-enable-query-builder.html
Maybe some Microsoft guru could leave a comment and explain to be why we need to hide these features in places like the registry at all?

What you could have won, my friends....

It’s generally geeks who think it’s cool to hide features & Easter eggs in software, proper designers incorporate them into places they can be easily found. While Microsoft continues being run by geeks, there is constantly going to be that push to just move over to an Apple Mac and knock all that geekiness on the head.
So think on all you software developers, hide useful features at your peril, or maybe just as your users what is really important to them.

Catch the blog monthly archive at https://archive.org/details/@housingitguy

Related Post: Why your users not just ICT, need to play to win 

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Nickleback – Where Do I Hide.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.
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RHP - Dolphins Were Monkeys

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy

or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


Are we in a housing sector of dinosaurs, dolphins or monkeys? Not often I have asked myself that one, but an event this week at Richmond Housing Partnership, in Teddington did pose the question. The day was about the art of innovation, with its own hashtag #AOI16 of course.

RHP know a bit about innovation, coming top in the Dolphin Index, named for the second year running in 2016, as the "UK's most innovative housing provider".
I learned much about how they managed this culture shift, in a sector that frankly at times can be stuck back in the days when the stock was managed at the council. The index model breaks down the survey results into 13 key topic areas ranging from idea time and risk taking through to stress and dynamism levels.

 On hand was CEO David Done, the super animated and infectious Amina Graham, as well as a number of other disrupters, from outside of the sector. This included Elizabeth Linder of the Conversational Century and founder of Mr & Mrs Smith, Tamara Lohan.  All very inspirational stuff with lots of takeaways for the sixty or so attendees.

For me the key takeaway was the whole teal thinking philosophy taken with staff. Give them a brilliantly creative environment, trust them to just get on with the job you give them, celebrate & learn from mistakes.  Encourage your staff to think differently, you don't need to employ a team of Shoreditch hipsters with beanie hats, recognise that your innovators probably already work for you.

A bit different from the usual top-down 'Command and Control' we usually see in housing. RHP took an emphasis on finding the right big problems to fix and encouraged staff to think differently. Risk taking was encouraged and everyone encouraged to have opinions and share them, to drive improvement.

Events like this are nothing without a grand tour and we took in the tree house, conservatory and the cabinet of curiosities. A video booth for staff to share experiences and ideas, was something I really liked. Better than an email or a post-it. There were also lots of open space. How claustrophobic many office spaces are these days. Admittedly, every housing organisation will have the room to spread out, but it does make for fantastic workspaces.

At the event I met probably more of my fellow Twitter followers in the flesh, than ever before in one room. Brilliant to meet Ade Capon, Emma Maier, Jen Barfoot, Amy Nettleton, Tom Pinder and Amanda Carver. Together with Amy (totes deserved!), we scooped the 'King & Queen of #AOI16 Twitter' awards, with a bottle of bubbly to go back north with us, as well as such a lot of great ideas to move our organisations and the sector forward.  

Unless the sector embraces innovation for our staff, IT, processes and systems, we risk we will die as dinosaurs.

You can find further information out about the 2016 innovation index here.
 

Catch the blog monthly archive at https://archive.org/details/@housingitguy

Related Post: CP12's? - Better step on the gas! 

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.


Ian Brown - Dolphins were Monkeys.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.
File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, 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Word Up

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @hotpixUK
or LinkedIn here uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/

Most organisations I work with have MS Office and have moved generally to version 2010. Recently, I have come across some still on 2003 ("well it does the job....") or with pockets of 2003 that are still to be aligned with head office ("it's like 'Fraggle Rock' down there, we should round to it eventually.."). In a few cases, the housing management system has only recently been upgraded to support Office versions higher than 2003.

For those who have already done it, you have probably forgotten the pain your users endured.For the rest, if its a task for more than 20 users, I would say its actually a mini project in itself. this upgrade as the potential to cause some hassle.

Now, I had heard people say that everyone has Office 2007 or 2010 at home and will take to it like a duck to water. Fair enough, some might, but they are unlikely to use Excel and Word like they do at work. They certainly wont link it to other applications. Also in recent years, unless you have a teenager doing school or college projects at home, you may have actually ditched the PC or laptop for a more convenient tablet.

So what should a project cover to make this transition much smoother?

Well, the loss of 'Clippy' (the friendly paper clip helper) is not the only cosmetic GUI change, from 2007 Microsoft found it necessary to randomly hide all functions behind half a dozen parts of the new 'Ribbon Bar'. I would estimate that without adequate training, this could add an overhead of users spending 4 or 5 times longer fustratedly looking to find the usual functions in Excel and Word. So training and access to good help is essential. This link http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/getting-started-with-office-2010-FX101822272.aspx?CTT=1 is a good starting point, although if it were me I would structure up some video training and have users 'sign-off' that they have undertaken and understood it, well before the upgrade goes live.

To give users a leg up with 2010, you can always provide them with an add-in, such as this one from UBit, that cleverly adds a new ribbon item called 'Menu'.

Upgrade to 2010 will mean that many .DOC, .MDB and .XLS files will need to be converted to the new .DOCX , .ACCDB, .XLSX , XLSM , XLTX, DOCM, DOTM etc. This will be the time that anyone who is currently using macros or links in Office documents will need to do some serious testing. Most organisations have a lot of these bubbling under the surface.

Where there are templates and merges utilised with your Housing Management or Finance System, these should all be checked carefully and ticked off, as still merging or being formatted correctly. If you use an integrated EDM application, ensure that is configured correctly, including any widgets you are using to automatically PDF your documents on the trigger of printing.

Being systematic will help everyone make the leap more smoothly and if you are in the IT team, I bet users will like you more...

If you have been through a 2003 to 2010 migration, let me know what unexpected issues you encountered or any tips you could pass on.

You can link with me on LinkedIn here - uk.linkedin.com/pub/tony-smith-bsc-hons-acih/a/979/351/ It would be great to connect !

OK, Red cod-pieces locked and loaded - Cameo - Word Up .


(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009

PS As usual, if there are subjects you might like me to tackle on this blog, please get in touch and let me know!

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