Barfly

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

There is something properly refreshing about seeing a software company do something a bit different and actually mean it. 

Far too much of the social housing (or maybe ‘Real Estate’ 🤔) systems world still feels like it is run from the same old script. Same polite corporate waffle. Same safe office parks. Same legacy thinking with a bit of new AI branding chucked on top and called transformation. So when the Rubixx folks, a UK software house decides that the right next step is not some identikit glass box, but an ex-country club in Staffordshire, and the FT writes about it    that gets my attention straight away.

And honestly, good on them.

There is a confidence in that sort of move. It says we are not trying to cosplay Silicon Valley from a business park off M6 junction 15. Doing our own thing, in our own way, on our own patch. In proper potbank oatcake land too, which only adds to the charm. Stoke-on-Trent City Council apparently seem to like the mood music as well, and fair enough. If you are trying to bring jobs, energy, innovation and a bit of life into an area, you could do a lot worse than backing a growing UK software business that is clearly not short of ambition and attitude.

What I particularly like is that this is not style over substance. It would be easy enough for some firms to get attention with a quirky office and then have nothing behind the curtain except a beanbag, company strapline on the backwall, a neon sign and a waterfall product roadmap held together with hope. But that is not the story here. In about three and a half years they have produced three genuinely modern SaaS browser-based products across Housing, Finance and Support Planning. Full cloud. Proper Responsive Browser. Modern delivery. Over 30 live customers. And, from what I keep seeing & hearing, a very decent number of them are not just live, but actually happy. In housing software, that is not a small thing. That is the bit worth pausing on.

Because as we know, anybody can sell the dream in a demo. Plenty do. The trick is in migration, delivery, cutover, support, stabilisation and whether the customer still sounds cheerful once the consultants have gone home and the final invoices have landed. That is where things get real.

Over Easter I was involved in helping a good-sized and complex provider in Scotland get live with Rubixx housing and finance. That sort of go-live does not happen by accident. It takes nerve, hard graft, responsiveness, teamwork, supplier effort, customer effort, and a willingness to deal with the awkward realities rather than just admire the PowerPoint. So when I see a supplier building momentum and getting complex organisations live successfully, I take that seriously. It matters more than polished sales patter ever will.

And perhaps that is the bigger point. The housing sector does not need more fake modernity. It does not need another tired old platform with a thin browser wrapper and a fresh logo pretending to be born in the cloud. It needs suppliers who can think differently, build properly, implement competently and support customers like they matter. It needs suppliers that feel like they are moving forwards, not just charging annual maintenance on yesterday’s architecture while telling everyone “to be patient”.

So yes, the country club thing made me smile.

In truth it gave me a slight flashback to the 1980s, when work culture in some places still involved the odd liquid lunch and a level of informality that would send today’s HR departments into cardiac arrest. I am not necessarily recommending a full return to three pints and a prawn cocktail before a finance workshop, but there is something appealing about a software business whose workplace has a bar on site. It beats the usual modern corporate bribe of a sad fruit bowl, a branded hoodie and the once-a-month Friday pizza session that everyone is expected to be wildly grateful for. If they are really serious, they will make sure the bar includes some proper real ale and not just the usual fashionable fizzy nonsense. As a CAMRA member, I feel duty bound to mention that. Of course if getting Cask Marque certified might be one step beyond, maybe just some interesting bottles & cans might suffice. As Frank Cartwright told Brian Potter in Phoenix Nights, “they are the future” !

But beyond the humour, there is a serious point here too. Culture matters. Environment matters, standing by your promises matters. The physical place a company chooses says something about how it sees itself. A former country club is not just a gimmick if it helps attract staff, gives customers a memorable experience, creates a bit of buzz and reflects a business that is prepared to be bold. In a sector where too many suppliers still feel like they were assembled by committee, a bit of personality goes a long way.

And I suspect customers notice that difference.

Housing providers have spent years being told to make do with legacy platforms, sluggish development, shrinking dev teams, expensive change requests still on hold and the general sense that they should be grateful for whatever turns up in the next release cycle. So when they encounter a supplier that feels more modern, more human and more switched on, it stands out. When they then go live and start seeing benefits, the contrast with older, almost Mesozoic Era supplier experiences becomes even sharper.

That is why this matters beyond one interesting office move. It is a sign, perhaps, that some parts of the housing software market are growing up a bit. Becoming bolder. More confident. More willing to challenge the old order. Not by shouting loudly, but by building, delivering and steadily winning contracts and trust.

There is room for that in this sector. More than room, actually. There is a need for it.

So yes, fair play. A growing UK software house, no offshoring, modern cloud products, strong customer momentum, and an HQ that sounds more like somewhere you might actually want to visit than a beige office cube with bad coffee and worse acoustics. That is different thinking. And in a housing systems world that can still be painfully conservative, different thinking done well is something to celebrate.

Now then, if the next customer briefing starts with a decent pint of real ale in the clubhouse bar, or a bottled Impy Stout rather than a curled-up sandwich and a stale biscuit, I may start insisting all software procurement's are run that way. Some old traditions are worth keeping.

Are you lumbered with legacy solutions & unsure whats out there ? 

Give me a call, I will drop in for a brew & bring the Tunnocks Teacakes ☕

       Related Post: Remember that soft-market exploration is a great way to see whats out there.

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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.

Ray LaMontagne - Barfly

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


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here , what projects do we get involved in? Access them 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: #HomesForBritain,#HousingDAY,#InternetOfTenants,#Shout,#UKHousing, 07854655009, 1st Touch,1stTouch,360,365Agile,3squared,4Js, ACL,ALMO,AMS,AX,Aareon,Abritas,Academy,Accuserv,Accuserve,Active Housing,ActiveH,ActiveF,ActiveFinance,ActiveHousing,Acutence,Advanced,Affinity,Aidenn,Agile,Agile365,AHB,AirWatch,Alscient,Alfresco,Alignment,Allpay,Amazon Web Services,Anite,Apex,App,ArchHouse,Archouse,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Associates,Aurora,Average IT Costs,AWI SX Integration Toolkit,AWS, BI,BO,BPR,BancTec,BigChange,Blockwise,BluTek,Bluebox,Blueprint,BrikHousing,Browser Applications,BC, Business Central, Business Objects,Business Planning,Business Process Review,Business social networking, CACI,Capita One Housing,CBL,CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,CEDRM,CHICS,CHR,CIH,CMS,COA,CORE,CPL,CRM,CRM2013,CRS,CTI,CTX,Cadcorp,Capita,CapitaOne,Capita One,Capital Management,Cashflow,Castle,Castleton,Castleton Technology,Cedar Open Accounts,Cerrus,Change,Charges,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, Citrix,Civica,Civica CTX,Civica Cx,Civica Genero,Civica Saffron,Clearview,Clik,Cx Assets, Cloud Dialogs,CloudDialogs,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Commontime,Community Reward Services,Company,Competitive Dialogue process,Component Accounting,Consilium,Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Consultants,Contact Manager,Context,Contractor Systems,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,Crystal Reports,Customer Relationship Management,Cx,CxFeedback, DRS,Deeplake,Datatank,Designer Software,Development Systems,Director,Document,Documotive,Docuware,Dynamic AI,DynamicAI,Dynamics 365,D365,Dynamics365,Dynaway ECMK,EDM,EDRMS,ERP,ESRI,Elmhurst,Enghouse Interactive,England,English,EnterpriseBI,Estatecraft,Esuasive,Esynergy,Etive,Exhibition,Exponential-e, F&O, Facebook,Factorwise,Fast Lean Smart, Field Service management,Finance,Financial Systems,Financials,FLS,Footprint,Forms,Freezes,Fusion,Fuzzlab Gas Tag,G-Cloud,GCloud,GDPR,GGP,GIS,GasTag,Genero,GeoSolveIT,Getting best from,GoTonySmith,Grasp,Grip,Group Apex, HCL,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,HRA,Hardware,Hitachi Systems,Hitex,HomeMaster,Hometeam,HouSys,House,Housemark,Housemark survey,Housing,Housing Contact,Housing Group,Housing Insight,Housing Management,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Partners,Housing Portfolio Management System,Hub Asset Management,Homeswapper,Housing jigsaw,HousingOne,Housing-One, Housing Support Pro,HousingIT,HousingSupportPro,HyperOptic, IMS,IPC,iProperty Cloud,IT,IT Budget,IT Training,ITIL,Impact Response,In,In4,In4Systems Promaster,InfinityGroup,InfoBoss,Infoshare+,InHouse,InMotion,InMotion2015,InMotion2016,InfoBoss,Infoflow,Information,Information Technology,Information@Work components,Informix,Innovation, Informetis,Inphase,Inside Housing,Insight,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Invu,Ireland,Irish,itLab,InclineIT, Keyfax,Keylogic,Keypera,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keynamics, Landlord,Ledgers,Linkedin,Liquid,Locality,Localz,Looking Local, M3,MadeTech,Manifest Software Solutions,MAVIS,MD,MDM,MI,MIS,MIS-AMS,MISCS,MRI,MS Dynamics,MRI,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Microsoft365,microsoft 365,MWL,Management,Management Server,Manifest,Measuring,Mebus,More IQ,MoreIQ,Microsoft Dynamics 365,Microsoft dynamics GP 2013,Miracle,MobileIron,Mobysoft,Monopoly board images and pictures,Montal,Mr Void,MriEngage,MrVoid,MoreIQ, MRI,MRI/Capita,MRI Housing One, NDL,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,NPS,NPS ASSIST,NPS Housing,NPS Job Manager Mobile,NROSH,Natural,Neighbourhoods and Communities,Nintexworkflow,Northgate,Northgate Codeman,Northgate Public Services,Notice, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,OJEU Limits,ORS,Ohms,OmFax,Omni,Omniledger,One,OneAdvanced,OneServe,Open source,OpenContractor,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Options,Optitime,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OutSystems, PIMMS,PIMSS Data,PM,PRINCE2,Paloma,Pamwin,PanConnect,People Value,Peoplevalue,PfH,Pick,PlanForm,Planned maintenance,Plentific,Plus,Portfolio Management System,PowerObjects,Pro,Pro-Points,Prodo,Progress,Promaster,Propeller,Propoints,Proval,Providers,Pyramid, QL,QLX, QLF, QL Yuneo,QuantSpark,Qube,QLX,Qlikview,QueryView,Queryview reporting,Quiss, RM865,ROCC,ROCC Orchestrator,RPs,RSL,Rave,ReAct,Reality,RedkiteCRM,ROCC Attend,Red Olive,Registered,Registered Social,Rent Increase,RentSense,RentSenseLite,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,RobotAutomation,Rubix,ROCC, Rocket,Rubixx, Salesforce,Salesforce.Org,SAP,SASSHA,Sava,SDM,SHBVN,SM,SOTI,SP,SQL,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting,SQL Server,Saffron,Safron,Saturn,Scenario,Scotland,Scots,Scottish,Scout,Sequoa,Serengeti,Serros,Server,Service,Services,Servitor,Sharepoint,Sim,SimPro, Simdel,Simdell,Slash and Burn,Social Housing ICT,Social Housing Software Applications,Social Media,Software,Software solutions, Solvares, Spotlight Service,Spotlightservice,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic,SunAccounts,Sunguard,Surveys,Streetwise, Swordfish,Sx3,Symatrix Human,System alignment,Systems,Systemwise, T-Files,TEAMS,TED,TFiles,TP Tracker,TSG,Tagish Casework,Tagra,Task,TAIM,Techlabs,Technologies (India) PVT Limited,Telecetera,Template,Terminal Services,That,Three Star,Tilt,TiltAffinity,Today,Tony Smith,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT,TonySmithHou,TonySmithHousing, ,TonySmithHousingITguy,Total,Total Mobile,Totalmobile,Trace,Tribal,Twitter, U2,UC,UK,UK Housing,Ukhousing,UniClass,Unidata,United Kingdom,Universal,Universalcredit,Universe,Unrest, Valueworks,Van Stock,Vantage,Vantage Sentinel,Version,Virtualisation,Visitour,Visualmetrics,Voice,Voice and data,Voicescape,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Wheatley,Windows Server,Workflow and,Work Hub,Works Connect, XML,Xen App,XenApp,Xmbrace, Yuneo,TS Acutance Consulting, ...

. . . . . . . . . . . . ES | FR | DE | IT | UK

Times Change

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

Late autumn this year I found myself doing something that felt oddly symbolic of where #socialhousing systems tech is right now. One day in London, I was sat in a room full of people talking about CRM platforms, cloud everything, Agentic AI and transformation. The very next day I was with a long-established UK HMS supplier, still wrestling their way through cracking full browser compatibility, legacy architecture, and the sheer effort of dragging decades of product forward into a modern world to make it saleable.

The contrast could not have been sharper.

The CRM event had an almost evangelical feel to it. Satisfied users. Big smiles throughout. Big stories. Also some big price tags for some. Organisations talking openly about spending significantly more than they ever would have done on a traditional housing management system, but justifying it because it delivered what they needed operationally with less grief. You could feel the belief in the room. Not just belief in the product, but belief in the journey they had chosen. OK Rev Blackgrape, "Whose souls are we gonna save" ?

The HMS day felt very different. Not bad, not negative, but grounded. Practical. Good to see they were honest about the challenges. You could sense the effort going in, but also the drag. The dead-weight of history. The compromises that come from having to modernise something that was never designed for browsers, cloud delivery, SAAS or rapid iteration in the first place. You can see why some recent would be ‘has-been slayers’ thought it best to just start from scratch.

Which pretty much sums up 2025 for me.

Across this last year I have helped some clients decide that a CRM platform genuinely was the right answer for them. Others who had already gone down that road and then needed help finding a way back to a more traditional HMS. And plenty where CRM was never really a contender at all, because the complexity, user seats cost, current absent IP or operational risk just did not stack up. There truly is something for everyone, as I proved in 2025 for the small (under 190 homes) up to the large (over 38k homes) providers.

So where is the market actually up to now?

There is a growing narrative that only CRM platforms can innovate. That they are the only ones moving fast, experimenting, releasing new functionality, AI Agents and responding to modern expectations. Meanwhile some HMS suppliers are still accused of undertaking radial rubber tyre 70's style retreads. Recent HMS supplier consolidation has certainly not helped. New user interfaces bolted onto old cores, maybe flat text data exchange. Browser layers masking systems that were never meant to live there. Old legacy functionality dropped and not carried through. Innovation slowed not by lack of intent, but by technical debt.

There is some truth in that I think, but its not the whole story.

CRM platforms absolutely can move fast, especially when they are not carrying decades of housing-specific programming baggage. But speed comes at a price. Cost, complexity, dependency on extensive reseller led configuration, and the need for organisations to effectively build their own housing system on top of a general purpose CRM platform. Easy and flexible access to data, often assumed / promised, often not so seen in reality. For some providers, that is empowering. For others, it becomes exhausting, after all we are in the business of managing stock, not developing software !

On the HMS side, the big question is whether serious innovation is possible while parts of the product estate are still incomplete, partially browser based (on the journey..), or constrained by older architectural decisions. Can suppliers genuinely leap forward while also keeping the lights on, via potentially a shrunken help desk, for thousands of existing customers. Some will manage it. Some will struggle. And some will quietly fall further behind than they care to admit in their Powerpoints..

For housing providers, councils with retained stock, the last ALMOS, AHB’s, and charities, this leaves a pretty uncomfortable middle ground. Do you bet on the flexibility and promise of CRM and accept the cost and effort. Do you stick with traditional HMS and hope the innovation curve steepens. Or do you end up walking one path, only to later retrace your steps when reality bites?

I have seen all three this year (and the fourth choice of the ultra-modern HMS cloud built from the ground up too).

What feels certain is that 2026 is not going to be any calmer. Housing system procurement decisions will be likely to get harder, not easier. The stakes will keep rising. And the gap between what suppliers say is possible and what organisations can realistically absorb will be tested more than ever.

Interesting times ahead. Not always comfortable ones. But definitely interesting for journeying beyond this first 25% of the twenty first century. If what I have covered here sounds familiar to you and your organisation, maybe that’s a ride we might be able to work together on getting you to where you need to be.

Is your SocialHousing  ICT / transformation project drastically overrunning  ? 

Get in touch , I will drop in for a cuppa & bring the Jammy Dodgers ☕

       Related Post: The right Critical Friend will save you stress, time (and money) ?

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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.

New Order – Times Change

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


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here , what projects do we get involved in? Access them 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: #HomesForBritain,#HousingDAY,#InternetOfTenants,#Shout,#UKHousing, 07854655009, 1st Touch,1stTouch,360,365Agile,3squared,4Js, ACL,ALMO,AMS,AX,Aareon,Abritas,Academy,Accuserv,Accuserve,Active Housing,ActiveH,ActiveF,ActiveFinance,ActiveHousing,Acutence,Advanced,Affinity,Aidenn,Agile,Agile365,AHB,AirWatch,Alscient,Alfresco,Alignment,Allpay,Amazon Web Services,Anite,Apex,App,ArchHouse,Archouse,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Associates,Aurora,Average IT Costs,AWI SX Integration Toolkit,AWS, BI,BO,BPR,BancTec,BigChange,Blockwise,BluTek,Bluebox,Blueprint,BrikHousing,Browser Applications,BC, Business Central, Business Objects,Business Planning,Business Process Review,Business social networking, CACI,Capita One Housing,CBL,CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,CEDRM,CHICS,CHR,CIH,CMS,COA,CORE,CPL,CRM,CRM2013,CRS,CTI,CTX,Cadcorp,Capita,CapitaOne,Capita One,Capital Management,Cashflow,Castle,Castleton,Castleton Technology,Cedar Open Accounts,Cerrus,Change,Charges,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, Citrix,Civica,Civica CTX,Civica Cx,Civica Genero,Civica Saffron,Clearview,Clik,Cx Assets, Cloud Dialogs,CloudDialogs,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Commontime,Community Reward Services,Company,Competitive Dialogue process,Component Accounting,Consilium,Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Consultants,Contact Manager,Context,Contractor Systems,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,Crystal Reports,Customer Relationship Management,Cx,CxFeedback, DRS,Deeplake,Datatank,Designer Software,Development Systems,Director,Document,Documotive,Docuware,Dynamic AI,DynamicAI,Dynamics 365,D365,Dynamics365,Dynaway ECMK,EDM,EDRMS,ERP,ESRI,Elmhurst,Enghouse Interactive,England,English,EnterpriseBI,Estatecraft,Esuasive,Esynergy,Etive,Exhibition,Exponential-e, F&O, Facebook,Factorwise,Field Service management,Finance,Financial Systems,Financials,FLS,Footprint,Forms,Freezes,Fusion,Fuzzlab Gas Tag,G-Cloud,GCloud,GDPR,GGP,GIS,GasTag,Genero,GeoSolveIT,Getting best from,GoTonySmith,Grasp,Grip,Group Apex, HCL,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,HRA,Hardware,Hitachi Systems,Hitex,HomeMaster,Hometeam,HouSys,House,Housemark,Housemark survey,Housing,Housing Contact,Housing Group,Housing Insight,Housing Management,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Partners,Housing Portfolio Management System,Hub Asset Management,Homeswapper,Housing jigsaw,HousingOne,Housing-One, Housing Support Pro,HousingIT,HousingSupportPro,HyperOptic, IMS,IPC,iProperty Cloud,IT,IT Budget,IT Training,ITIL,Impact Response,In,In4,In4Systems Promaster,InfinityGroup,InfoBoss,Infoshare+,InHouse,InMotion,InMotion2015,InMotion2016,InfoBoss,Infoflow,Information,Information Technology,Information@Work components,Informix,Innovation, Informetis,Inphase,Inside Housing,Insight,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Invu,Ireland,Irish,itLab,InclineIT, Keyfax,Keylogic,Keypera,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keynamics, Landlord,Ledgers,Linkedin,Liquid,Locality,Localz,Looking Local, M3,MadeTech,Manifest Software Solutions,MAVIS,MD,MDM,MI,MIS,MIS-AMS,MISCS,MRI,MS Dynamics,MRI,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Microsoft365,microsoft 365,MWL,Management,Management Server,Manifest,Measuring,Mebus,More IQ,MoreIQ,Microsoft Dynamics 365,Microsoft dynamics GP 2013,Miracle,MobileIron,Mobysoft,Monopoly board images and pictures,Montal,Mr Void,MriEngage,MrVoid,MoreIQ, MRI,MRI/Capita,MRI Housing One, NDL,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,NPS,NPS ASSIST,NPS Housing,NPS Job Manager Mobile,NROSH,Natural,Neighbourhoods and Communities,Nintexworkflow,Northgate,Northgate Codeman,Northgate Public Services,Notice, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,OJEU Limits,ORS,Ohms,OmFax,Omni,Omniledger,One,OneAdvanced,OneServe,Open source,OpenContractor,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Options,Optitime,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OutSystems, PIMMS,PIMSS Data,PM,PRINCE2,Paloma,Pamwin,PanConnect,People Value,Peoplevalue,PfH,Pick,PlanForm,Planned maintenance,Plentific,Plus,Portfolio Management System,PowerObjects,Pro,Pro-Points,Prodo,Progress,Promaster,Propeller,Propoints,Proval,Providers,Pyramid, QL,QLX, QLF, QL Yuneo,QuantSpark,Qube,QLX,Qlikview,QueryView,Queryview reporting,Quiss, RM865,ROCC,ROCC Orchestrator,RPs,RSL,Rave,ReAct,Reality,RedkiteCRM,ROCC Attend,Red Olive,Registered,Registered Social,Rent Increase,RentSense,RentSenseLite,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,RobotAutomation,Rocket,Rubixx, Salesforce,Salesforce.Org,SAP,SASSHA,Sava,SDM,SHBVN,SM,SOTI,SP,SQL,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting,SQL Server,Saffron,Safron,Saturn,Scenario,Scotland,Scots,Scottish,Scout,Sequoa,Serengeti,Serros,Server,Service,Services,Servitor,Sharepoint,Sim,SimPro, Simdel,Simdell,Slash and Burn,Social Housing ICT,Social Housing Software Applications,Social Media,Software,Software solutions,Spotlight Service,Spotlightservice,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic,SunAccounts,Sunguard,Surveys,Streetwise, Swordfish,Sx3,Symatrix Human,System alignment,Systems,Systemwise, T-Files,TEAMS,TED,TFiles,TP Tracker,TSG,Tagish Casework,Tagra,Task,TAIM,Techlabs,Technologies (India) PVT Limited,Telecetera,Template,Terminal Services,That,Three Star,Tilt,TiltAffinity,Today,Tony Smith,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT,TonySmithHou,TonySmithHousing, ,TonySmithHousingITguy,Total,Total Mobile,Totalmobile,Trace,Tribal,Twitter, U2,UC,UK,UK Housing,Ukhousing,UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,United Kingdom,Universal,Universalcredit,Universe,Unrest, Valueworks,Van Stock,Vantage,Vantage Sentinel,Version,Virtualisation,Visitour,Visualmetrics,Voice,Voice and data,Voicescape,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Wheatley,Windows Server,Workflow and,Work Hub,Works Connect, XML,Xen App,XenApp,Xmbrace, Yuneo,TS Acutance Consulting, ...

. . . . . . . . . . . . ES | FR | DE | IT | UK

 

Fragile

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

In my very first exposure to IT in early 1980’s, I experienced a small part of a large engineering company where raw data was keyed in by a team of female admin and submitted to a mainframe down in Stafford. If you were lucky you got a result four hours or longer later, if it wasn’t an ‘Abend’ (An abnormal end error message – technical but correctly spelt) probably due to strange data, or a comms issue down the very expensive leased line. If the mainframe was off-line or busy, your ‘job’ could not be submitted up the line sometimes for hours, maybe days.

Moving on in the late 80’s, t'internet was being imagined as a distributed network by Paul Baran and others, who originally worked to create a communication system that could withstand a nuclear attack by having no central point of control. This vision was a response to Cold War concerns about vulnerable, centralised phone lines and led to the development of ARPANET. The concept was a decentralised network designed to remain functional even if parts of it were destroyed. So far, so good.

Since the 2000’s as we know, we have seen the growth of most of our internet resources in far fewer hands. No more so than in the provision of Cloud storage and technology. This is now dominated by Amazon (AWS) approximately 30-32%, Microsoft Azure 20-23% and Google Cloud with around 11-13%. The dangers of concentration of so many eggs in so few baskets was brought home last week, as a AWS outage. We were told this was due to “a latent defect within the service’s automated DNS (domain name system) management system”. This was apparently down to an empty DNS record for the Virginia-based US-East-1 datacentre region. Well it certainly was a problem that affected many well beyond the US East Coast between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains.

Around 2,000 organisations were affected including Banking sites (Lloyds/Halifax), HMRC, parts of the NHS (at least ten sites), DWP, Ring doorbells, Duolingo and Strava. “The Cloud” in this situation feels less good than my old friend the IBM mainframe situated in Stafford in the 1980’s. Its just a big computer in someone’s big shed ! Many organisations rely indirectly on AWS. This occurs through our partners, third-party services, or SaaS applications. How aware of this are we within our supply chain? Do we even ask about it in sufficient depth?

AWS storage and Agentic AI has been enthusiastically marketed within the socialhousing sector, non-profits and among other parts of the UK public sector. AWS is in use at quite a few HA’s, such as Aches Housing in Sheffield and Housing Plus Group, in Shropshire. 

One Social Housing Management System, is also currently being marketed, which operates behind AWS AppStream 2.0 as a means of browser delivery of a legacy solution. Users and residents of that one had an outage last week until around 10am on Monday, although could have been worse. Unless an ITT tender purchaser of a HMS had their wits about them, it could be easily sold as a modern browser solution, with the true platform being spotted much later. Always ask the right questions in procurement's, or have a Critical Friend along to help you do that and interpret the answers properly too!

While ‘lightning might not soon strike twice’, this shines a spotlight on the fragility of our supposedly smart technology. Amazon's massive AWS outage here, points to a key weakness in the modern internet. I have read multiple articles and listened to a tech podcast that basically took the view that ‘errors are understandable and inevitable for so-called “hyperscalers” ‘. It shows just how difficult it is, to prevent every single failure,

While no one I know really would like to return to multiple rooms of refrigerated tin, what is to be done going forward? What appetite might there be for the big three to work together to enable redundancy? Are organisations better looking for smaller alternatives or spreading their risk (with the downside of potential duplication and additional expense). 

The questions for management and their boards following this should include, “do we have good enough dependency mapping” also “have we effective business continuity planning” ? Does the potential fragility of our core storage choices make our organisation fragile too. In previous blogs I have shone a light on the tech beneath, another latent issue. 

Boards should consider specific due diligence regarding reliance on automated systems managed by the hyperscalers. If a latent defect in an automated process can bring down critical infrastructure affecting major banks, government services (HMRC, NHS, DWP), and consumer services, the question must be asked: What is the specific risk quantification tied to single points of failure within provider automation layers?

Fingers crossed, the next major Cloud outage may spare you !

Are some suppliers right to turn their back on Cloud/browser solutions? 

Get in touch , I will drop in for a cuppa & bring the Custard Creams ☕

       Related Post: If we implement new browser based solutions, do we still need mobile apps?

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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.

Wire – Fragile

(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: #HomesForBritain,#HousingDAY,#InternetOfTenants,#Shout,#UKHousing, 07854655009, 1st Touch,1stTouch,360,365Agile,3squared,4Js, ACL,ALMO,AMS,AX,Aareon,Abritas,Academy,Accuserv,Accuserve,Active Housing,ActiveH,ActiveF,ActiveFinance,ActiveHousing,Acutence,Advanced,Affinity,Aidenn,Agile,Agile365,AHB,AirWatch,Alscient,Alfresco,Alignment,Allpay,Amazon Web Services,Anite,Apex,App,ArchHouse,Archouse,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Associates,Aurora,Average IT Costs,AWI SX Integration Toolkit,AWS, BI,BO,BPR,BancTec,BigChange,Blockwise,BluTek,Bluebox,Blueprint,BrikHousing,Browser Applications,BC, Business Central, Business Objects,Business Planning,Business Process Review,Business social networking, CACI,Capita One Housing,CBL,CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,CEDRM,CHICS,CHR,CIH,CMS,COA,CORE,CPL,CRM,CRM2013,CRS,CTI,CTX,Cadcorp,Capita,CapitaOne,Capita One,Capital Management,Cashflow,Castle,Castleton,Castleton Technology,Cedar Open Accounts,Cerrus,Change,Charges,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, Citrix,Civica,Civica CTX,Civica Cx,Civica Genero,Civica Saffron,Clearview,Clik,Cx Assets, Cloud Dialogs,CloudDialogs,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Commontime,Community Reward Services,Company,Competitive Dialogue process,Component Accounting,Consilium,Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Consultants,Contact Manager,Context,Contractor Systems,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,Crystal Reports,Customer Relationship Management,Cx,CxFeedback, DRS,Deeplake,Designer Software,Development Systems,Director,Document,Documotive,Docuware,Dynamic AI,DynamicAI,Dynamics 365,D365,Dynamics365,Dynaway ECMK,EDM,EDRMS,ERP,ESRI,Elmhurst,Enghouse Interactive,England,English,EnterpriseBI,Estatecraft,Esuasive,Esynergy,Etive,Exhibition,Exponential-e, F&O, Facebook,Factorwise,Field Service management,Finance,Financial Systems,Financials,FLS,Footprint,Forms,Freezes,Fusion,Fuzzlab Gas Tag,G-Cloud,GCloud,GDPR,GGP,GIS,GasTag,Genero,GeoSolveIT,Getting best from,GoTonySmith,Grasp,Grip,Group Apex, HCL,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,HRA,Hardware,Hitachi Systems,Hitex,HomeMaster,Hometeam,HouSys,House,Housemark,Housemark survey,Housing,Housing Contact,Housing Group,Housing Insight,Housing Management,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Partners,Housing Portfolio Management System,Hub Asset Management,Homeswapper,Housing jigsaw,HousingOne,Housing-One, Housing Support Pro,HousingIT,HousingSupportPro,HyperOptic, IMS,IPC,iProperty Cloud,IT,IT Budget,IT Training,ITIL,Impact Response,In,In4,In4Systems Promaster,InfinityGroup,InfoBoss,InHouse,InMotion,InMotion2015,InMotion2016,InfoBoss,Infoflow,Information,Information Technology,Information@Work components,Informix,Innovation, Informetis,Inphase,Inside Housing,Insight,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Invu,Ireland,Irish,itLab,InclineIT, Keyfax,Keylogic,Keypera,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keynamics, Landlord,Ledgers,Linkedin,Liquid,Locality,Localz, M3,MadeTech,MAVIS,MD,MDM,MI,MIS,MIS-AMS,MISCS,MRI,MS Dynamics,MRI,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Microsoft365,microsoft 365,MWL,Management,Management Server,Manifest,Measuring,Mebus,More IQ,MoreIQ,Microsoft Dynamics 365,Microsoft dynamics GP 2013,Miracle,MobileIron,Mobysoft,Monopoly board images and pictures,Montal,Mr Void,MriEngage,MrVoid,MoreIQ, MRI,MRI Housing One, NDL,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,NPS,NPS ASSIST,NPS Housing,NPS Job Manager Mobile,NROSH,Natural,Neighbourhoods and Communities,Nintexworkflow,Northgate,Northgate Codeman,Northgate Public Services,Notice, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,OJEU Limits,ORS,Ohms,OmFax,Omniledger,One,OneAdvanced,OneServe,Open source,OpenContractor,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Options,Optitime,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OutSystems, PIMMS,PIMSS Data,PM,PRINCE2,Paloma,Pamwin,PanConnect,People Value,Peoplevalue,PfH,Pick,PlanForm,Planned maintenance,Plentific,Plus,Portfolio Management System,PowerObjects,Pro,Pro-Points,Prodo,Progress,Promaster,Propeller,Propoints,Proval,Providers,Pyramid, QL,QLX, QLF, QL Yuneo,QuantSpark,Qube,QLX,Qlikview,QueryView,Queryview reporting,Quiss, RM865,ROCC,RPs,RSL,Rave,ReAct,Reality,RedkiteCRM,Red Olive,Registered,Registered Social,Rent Increase,RentSense,RentSenseLite,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,RobotAutomation,Rocket,Rubixx, Salesforce,Salesforce.Org,SAP,SASSHA,SDM,SHBVN,SM,SOTI,SP,SQL,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting,SQL Server,Saffron,Safron,Saturn,Scenario,Scotland,Scots,Scottish,Scout,Sequoa,Serengeti,Serros,Server,Service,Services,Servitor,Sharepoint,Sim,SimPro, Simdel,Simdell,Slash and Burn,Social Housing ICT,Social Housing Software Applications,Social Media,Software,Software solutions,Spotlight Service,Spotlightservice,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic,SunAccounts,Sunguard,Surveys,Streetwise, Swordfish,Sx3,Symatrix Human,System alignment,Systems,Systemwise, T-Files,TEAMS,TED,TFiles,TP Tracker,TSG,Tagish Casework,Tagra,Task,TAIM,Techlabs,Technologies (India) PVT Limited,Telecetera,Template,Terminal Services,That,Three Star,Tilt,TiltAffinity,Today,Tony Smith,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT,TonySmithHou,TonySmithHousing, ,TonySmithHousingITguy,Total,Total Mobile,Totalmobile,Trace,Tribal,Twitter, U2,UC,UK,UK Housing,Ukhousing,UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,United Kingdom,Universal,Universalcredit,Universe,Unrest, Valueworks,Van Stock,Vantage,Vantage Sentinel,Version,Virtualisation,Visitour,Visualmetrics,Voice,Voice and data,Voicescape,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Wheatley,Windows Server,Workflow and,Work Hub,Works Connect, XML,Xen App,XenApp,Xmbrace, Yuneo,TS Acutance Consulting, ...

. . . . . . . . . . . . ES | FR | DE | IT | UK

Small Fish

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

Most folk know I work a lot with some of the big beasts out there, you know the A2 Dominions, London Borough of Hackney, Fife Council, Cardiff City as well as growing AHB’s over in the Emerald Isle such as Cooperative Housing Ireland and Cluid.

However, I also go out of my way to engage with smaller providers, charities, Almshouses and landlords offering support and homes under a license, rather than an assured/secure tenancy. I believe everyone needs cost efficient ICT solutions and systems in the SocialHousing sector to help them serve their residents better and be pretty efficient at it. Much to the disdain of my accountant (also named Tony), I offer much reduced rates to smaller organisations, as often cost can be a barrier. Recent Critical Friend projects have included a 34 home charity in Staffordshire and Cyrenians in Coventry’s (newly trendy) Far Gosford Street, migrating fast and effectively from Paloma WRAPP.

My personal experience of the ‘small fish’ is very positive. Recently the regulator in England has been looking at if TSM’s (Tenant Satisfaction Measures) could or should be extended to ‘The Smalls’. Some of the insights that have come out of the voluntary pilot include how there may be challenges with data and its quality/variety collected, also the extra effort needed. Pilot participants were very positive and submitted results collected over 13,000 surveys and owned over 30,000 homes. 

Certainly, the Smalls seemed to collect way more of the TSM data in face to face situations:

Statistical accuracy was an issue, reflecting less developed and accurate systems. As can be seen below:

IT and systems capability looks to be in need of improvement and this would certainly improve collection of data and aid management insights too. Better and more modern solutions for the Smalls also will enable improvement in the resident satisfaction experience, something the TSM’s hope to drive. 

Feel free to reach out if your organisation manages under a thousand homes, happy to chat on a Teams call or IRL.

Full details on the Smalls TSM trial findings can be found here.

Multiple councils are expected to merge, how best to manage bringing systems together?

Get in touch , I will drop in for a brew & bring the Chocky Hobnobs ☕

       Related Post: Can some products or suppliers survive losing founders or key people?

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

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.

Porcupine Tree - Small Fish

(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: #HomesForBritain,#HousingDAY,#InternetOfTenants,#Shout,#UKHousing, 07854655009, 1st Touch,1stTouch,360,365Agile,3squared,4Js, ACL,ALMO,AMS,AX,Aareon,Abritas,Academy,Accuserv,Accuserve,Active Housing,ActiveH,ActiveF,ActiveFinance,ActiveHousing,Acutence,Advanced,Affinity,Aidenn,Agile,Agile365,AHB,AirWatch,Alscient,Alfresco,Alignment,Allpay,Amazon Web Services,Anite,Apex,App,ArchHouse,Archouse,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Associates,Aurora,Average IT Costs,AWI SX Integration Toolkit,AWS, BI,BO,BPR,BancTec,BigChange,Blockwise,BluTek,Bluebox,Blueprint,BrikHousing,Browser Applications,BC, Business Central, Business Objects,Business Planning,Business Process Review,Business social networking, CACI,Capita One Housing,CBL,CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,CEDRM,CHICS,CHR,CIH,CMS,COA,CORE,CPL,CRM,CRM2013,CRS,CTI,CTX,Cadcorp,Capita,CapitaOne,Capita One,Capital Management,Cashflow,Castle,Castleton,Castleton Technology,Cedar Open Accounts,Cerrus,Change,Charges,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, Citrix,Civica,Civica CTX,Civica Cx,Civica Genero,Civica Saffron,Clearview,Clik,Cx Assets, Cloud Dialogs,CloudDialogs,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Commontime,Community Reward Services,Company,Competitive Dialogue process,Component Accounting,Consilium,Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Consultants,Contact Manager,Context,Contractor Systems,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,Crystal Reports,Customer Relationship Management,Cx,CxFeedback, DRS,Deeplake,Designer Software,Development Systems,Director,Document,Documotive,Docuware,Dynamic AI,DynamicAI,Dynamics 365,D365,Dynamics365,Dynaway ECMK,EDM,EDRMS,ERP,ESRI,Elmhurst,Enghouse Interactive,England,English,EnterpriseBI,Estatecraft,Esuasive,Esynergy,Etive,Exhibition,Exponential-e, F&O, Facebook,Factorwise,Field Service management,Finance,Financial Systems,Financials,FLS,Footprint,Forms,Freezes,Fusion,Fuzzlab Gas Tag,G-Cloud,GCloud,GDPR,GGP,GIS,GasTag,Genero,GeoSolveIT,Getting best from,GoTonySmith,Grasp,Grip,Group Apex, HCL,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,HRA,Hardware,Hitachi Systems,Hitex,HomeMaster,Hometeam,HouSys,House,Housemark,Housemark survey,Housing,Housing Contact,Housing Group,Housing Insight,Housing Management,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Partners,Housing Portfolio Management System,Hub Asset Management,Homeswapper,Housing jigsaw,HousingOne,Housing-One, Housing Support Pro,HousingIT,HousingSupportPro,HyperOptic, IMS,IPC,iProperty Cloud,IT,IT Budget,IT Training,ITIL,Impact Response,In,In4,In4Systems Promaster,InfinityGroup,InfoBoss,InHouse,InMotion,InMotion2015,InMotion2016,InfoBoss,Infoflow,Information,Information Technology,Information@Work components,Informix,Innovation, Informetis,Inphase,Inside Housing,Insight,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Invu,Ireland,Irish,itLab,InclineIT, Keyfax,Keylogic,Keypera,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keynamics, Landlord,Ledgers,Linkedin,Liquid,Locality,Localz, M3,MadeTech,MAVIS,MD,MDM,MI,MIS,MIS-AMS,MISCS,MRI,MS Dynamics,MRI,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Microsoft365,microsoft 365,MWL,Management,Management Server,Manifest,Measuring,Mebus,More IQ,MoreIQ,Microsoft Dynamics 365,Microsoft dynamics GP 2013,Miracle,MobileIron,Mobysoft,Monopoly board images and pictures,Montal,Mr Void,MriEngage,MrVoid,MoreIQ, MRI,MRI Housing One, NDL,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,NPS,NPS ASSIST,NPS Housing,NPS Job Manager Mobile,NROSH,Natural,Neighbourhoods and Communities,Nintexworkflow,Northgate,Northgate Codeman,Northgate Public Services,Notice, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,OJEU Limits,ORS,Ohms,OmFax,Omniledger,One,OneAdvanced,OneServe,Open source,OpenContractor,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Options,Optitime,Oracle,Orchard,Outsource and outsourcing,OutSystems, PIMMS,PIMSS Data,PM,PRINCE2,Paloma,Pamwin,PanConnect,People Value,Peoplevalue,PfH,Pick,PlanForm,Planned maintenance,Plentific,Plus,Portfolio Management System,PowerObjects,Pro,Pro-Points,Prodo,Progress,Promaster,Propeller,Propoints,Proval,Providers,Pyramid, QL,QLX, QLF, QL Yuneo,QuantSpark,Qube,QLX,Qlikview,QueryView,Queryview reporting,Quiss, RM865,ROCC,RPs,RSL,Rave,ReAct,Reality,RedkiteCRM,Red Olive,Registered,Registered Social,Rent Increase,RentSense,RentSenseLite,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,RobotAutomation,Rocket,Rubixx, Salesforce,Salesforce.Org,SAP,SASSHA,SDM,SHBVN,SM,SOTI,SP,SQL,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting,SQL Server,Saffron,Safron,Saturn,Scenario,Scotland,Scots,Scottish,Scout,Sequoa,Serengeti,Serros,Server,Service,Services,Servitor,Sharepoint,Sim,SimPro, Simdel,Simdell,Slash and Burn,Social Housing ICT,Social Housing Software Applications,Social Media,Software,Software solutions,Spotlight Service,Spotlightservice,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic,SunAccounts,Sunguard,Surveys,Streetwise, Swordfish,Sx3,Symatrix Human,System alignment,Systems,Systemwise, T-Files,TEAMS,TED,TFiles,TP Tracker,TSG,Tagish Casework,Tagra,Task,TAIM,Techlabs,Technologies (India) PVT Limited,Telecetera,Template,Terminal Services,That,Three Star,Tilt,TiltAffinity,Today,Tony Smith,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT,TonySmithHou,TonySmithHousing, ,TonySmithHousingITguy,Total,Total Mobile,Totalmobile,Trace,Tribal,Twitter, U2,UC,UK,UK Housing,Ukhousing,UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,United Kingdom,Universal,Universalcredit,Universe,Unrest, Valueworks,Van Stock,Vantage,Vantage Sentinel,Version,Virtualisation,Visitour,Visualmetrics,Voice,Voice and data,Voicescape,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Wheatley,Windows Server,Workflow and,Work Hub,Works Connect, XML,Xen App,XenApp,Xmbrace, Yuneo,TS Acutance Consulting, ...

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