Housing Career Opportunities

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











Below are a number of UK social housing ICT, software & services opportunities, that we here at the blog has been alerted to. DM us direct to follow up any of these. External organisations are responsible for all these, this blog cannot recommend or otherwise any of these positions.

19,000+ people from the UK Social Housing sector read this blog every month.

Could we help you promote your vacancy here?

LIVE POSITIONS
Hear about new opportunities faster, by connecting on LinkedIn here.

Added	10/05/2018
Position	Project Manager, 2 year fixed term Support for housing system replacement project. You will coordinate and facilitate the design and implementation of a business-wide housing management IT solution that will be the cornerstone of our digital transformation agenda. In addition to implementing joined-up IT systems, you will oversee the development of changes to how we work to deliver improved customer focus and our digital aspirations. You will seek out opportunities to enhance and develop our services for maximum efficiency, value for money, customer access and inclusion. £32,233 - £37,107 yearly  based on experience Up to 35 hours per week
Expires	20/05/2018 - Contact St Leger via https://jobs.housing-technology.com/job/212/project-manager-2-year-fixed-term/

EXPIRED OPPORTUNITIES

Added	13/10/2017
Position	Interim ICT support for North Wales based socialhousing organisation  Support for a number of housing projects £negk+ negociable based on experience Up to 35 hours per week
Expires	31/03/2018 - Contact Tony Smith via DM (Direct Message) or comment on this blog

Added	13/10/2017
Position	Housing officer for inspirational supported housing charity £25k+ per annum based on experience, plus excellent benefits 35 hours per week Job Type - Experienced Housing officer Contract Type - Permanent, Social Housing, Care Location - South Oxfordshire
Expires	31/10/2017 - Contact Tony Smith via DM (Direct Message) or comment on this blog

Added	10/09/2017
Position	Senior Infrastructure Analyst at SLH £37,974 - £39,973 per annum plus excellent benefits 35 hours per week Job Type - Jobs in Business Support Contract Type - Permanent, Social Housing Location - Liverpool, NW England
Expires	22/09/2017

Added	21/06/2017
Position	Technical Services Analyst, at Midland Heart Ref: 2845 Job Type - Jobs in Business Support Contract Type - Permanent Location - Bath Row, Birmingham Salary - £30,785 per annum (Full Time Equivalent) Hours - 35 Hours per Week (Full Time)
Expires	02/07/2017 - Apply on this link

Added	12/06/2017
Position	ALMO in Somerset Vacancy: IT System Administrator Location: Bridgwater Salary: c£neg Award winning ALMO seeks first line system support for the Housing Management System (Capita Open Housing – ideally Capita Housing Solutions), with an organisational focus for system improvement and support.   Full spec here - http://acutanceconsulting.co.uk/download/RoleProfileSystemsAdministratorMay17.pdf
Expires	July 2017 - Contact Tony Smith via DM or on this blog

Added	19/05/2017
Position	Various positions at Northgate, leading supplier of HMS solutions. have you experience of Northgate Housing, perhaps at a customer or in a ICT capacity and looking to develop your career? Various locations. See the various links below, and mention you saw the opportunity here: https://npscareers.northgateps.com/ https://npscareers.northgateps.com/nps-housing-presales-consultant-feb16.php https://npscareers.northgateps.com/housing_consultant_10april.php https://npscareers.northgateps.com/housing-consultant-16may.php
Expires	Various

Added	16/05/2017
Position	Large East Midlands RSL Vacancy: Project leaders, transformation staff Location: Notts Salary: c£neg We are looking for a logical thinkers, experience of HMS systems, DRS, 1st Touch required. If you can get stuff done, you may be the best candidate for this opportunity.
Expires	28/06/2017 - Contact Tony Smith via DM or on this blog

POSITIONS WANTED

Added	18/09/2016
Position Wanted & experience	A highly experienced Application Support Professional, 11 years social Housing ICT experience.   PRINCE2 and ITIL qualifications, SQL 2012 MCSA training. Designed and developed a new Android App for medium sized RSL. Extensive knowledge of Civica UH housing systems.  Perfect for an application support or a business analyst position
Location & Contact	West Yorkshire or remotely - Contact Tony Smith via this blog or DM for full CV

Added	19/05/2017
Position	ICT Infrastructure Manager - Social Housing Chippenham £48,000 per annum with a car allowance of £2,500 and additional benefits An exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to manage, maintain and develop the ICT infrastructure for Green Square. It is essential that you have proven leadership and collaboration capabilities to be successful in this role.
Expires	Closing date                 Friday 2 June 2017 @ Midday Interview date              16 June 2017     More details and how to apply, follow this link

Added	25/02/2017
Position	Torus Group  Vacancy: Head of Data Intelligence Location: St Helens/Warrington Salary: c£50,000 We are looking for a logical thinker who enjoys providing real value to business. We are looking for an experienced data and business intelligence leader to oversee a vital part of our journey.  You will be instrumental in developing and implementing a group wide data and intelligence strategy that will underpin our ambition to become a truly data driven and intelligence led business.  If you have the relevant skills and experience and are passionate, creative, collaborative and brave then you could be our perfect fit.
Expires	28/02/2017 - Contact Torus apply online via https://lnkd.in/dPmRKb4

Added	27/02/2017
Position	RSL implementing OpenHousing in South West/Bristol Area Vacancy: Hands On Project Manager Location: South West Salary: c£neg We are looking for a project manager to take over a project to implement Capita OpenHousing. Practical, knowledgeable and hands-on then you could be our perfect fit.
Expires	10/03/2017 - Contact Tony Smith via this blog or DM for direct details

Added	25/02/2017
Position	RSM UK Vacancy: Netsuite Functional Consultant Location: London Salary: £neg The successful candidate will join the ERP implementation practice within Technology Consulting. RSM is a NetSuite system implementation partner and the successful candidate will work primarily on NetSuite projects. NetSuite is the leading global cloud ERP provider, with over 10,000 clients, and RSM sees a significant opportunity to expand our NetSuite implementation services in the UK with the SME market.
Expires	30/04/2017 - Contact RSMUK apply online via https://careers.rsmuk.com/Exp/VacancyInformation.aspx?VId=26719#sthash.0NosnPvN.dpuf

Added	20/09/2016
Position	Aareon QL Housing pre-sales consultant, Kenilworth. – Prepare/perform demos, attend exhibitions, lead/assist in ITT completion. UK travel required, understanding of OJEU. Salary - Competitive based on experience, pension scheme, BUPA, life assurance, company car, 20+ days holiday
Expires	28/10/2016 - Contact via the Aareon Website

Added	20/08/2016
Position	Aareon QL Housing System Coordinator with Together Housing Group, in either NW England or West Yorkshire – salary from £26k - £30k Flexi-time, Minimum 27 days holiday, Pension, Healthshield
Expires	25/08/2016 - Contact via the Together Group Website

Added	27/05/2016
Position	Account manager with large UK social housing solutions provider – salary from £30k - £45k subject to skills / knowledge with OTE of c£90k  Pre-sales consultant with large UK social housing solutions provider – salary from £20k - £35k subject to skills / knowledge with a generous bonus structure
Expires	30/06/2016 - Contact via DM to this blog

Added	14/05/2016
Position	Senior Social Housing Consultant, based Motherwell in Scotland– Arneil Johnston – salary from £40k plus performance bonus  As readers of this blog know, I do a lot of work with Arneil Johnston in Scotland. They are a fantastic team to work with. This is a brilliant opportunity for the right candidate
Expires	30/05/2016 - Contact via Jim Rennie SFHA 0131-623-2343 More info at http://www.housingscotlandtoday.com/job-of-the-day-senior-consultant-arneil-johnston/

Added	03/05/2016
Position	Business development manager with software related experience in the social housing and Local Authority sector. English Midlands based if possible, to drive business forwards for innovative new product, from Birmingham office. Also work with existing accounts and some new work on identity management. Salary £35-40k plus bonus/commission
Expires	30/05/2016 - Contact via DM to this blog

Added	10/03/2016
Position	Business development/account manager with software related experience in the social housing sector. North West England based if possible Salary negotiable
Expires	30/04/2016 - Contact via DM to this blog

Added	12/01/2016
Position	(Probono) Critical friend required for NW based RSL transformation director, would suit similar in large group OR ICT director at large Housing Association
Expires	31/01/2016 - Contact via DM to this blog

Added	20/11/2015
Position	Primary demonstrator / Pre-sales executive, for successful, well known integrated housing management system provider.  Salary plus OTE.
Expires	20/12/2015 - Contact via DM to this blog

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

Related Post: When last, were you and your team, the dangerous brothers? 
 

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

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.


The Clash - Career Opportunities.
(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, 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 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, 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, 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 .. 

Don't Fake The Funk

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/



Do fake followers and bot accounts irritate you on Twitter?

They do me, particularly those accounts offering to sell you 5,000 followers for $29. If they follow me, they definitely don't get a follow back from me.

It's worth checking from time to time, exactly how many fake followers, you may have picked up.

TwitterAudit is a handy free tool. A recent check on my @HotpixUK account came up with the following.

While @InsideHousing came up as 86%

 
An alternative view of your followers can be seen using the free tool Fakers Dashboard.

On active 'real' accounts, only < 5% of followers are generally fake, with 15-20% inactive's. You cannot  control who follows you, but you ca of course take a view if you follow them back yourself.

If you gain a new follower and wondering if they are fake, you can use the above tools if needed too. A more reliable method is a quick check on if the account ever engages with others. If they never do, that's a sure sign, as is a rigid growth in their twitter followers, (e.g. 15 a day every day). Real accounts generally grow by engagement organically and quite randomly.

I engage a lot on Twitter and have met some great work related friends from social housing and IT on there. I would advise that route to gain followers and you enrich your own experience and those of your real followers too.

So say goodbye to these:

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

Related Post: Does audit play a role or just a box ticking exercise
 

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

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.


Prince Charles & The City Beat Band - Don't Fake The Funk.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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,HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,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 QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, 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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts 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 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,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

Labour Of Love

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/




Sometimes I come across some real labours of love, encapsulated in Excel. I am sure we have all come across them, multiple worksheets, using lots of formulas, function seven deep, no end of HLOOKUPs and pivot tables.

It's amazing how some of these start off as simple ways to solve quite small problems. That's how they gain acceptance and grow into some real animals. One I encountered was from an organisation managing personal care budgets. It worked fine while they were managing a few dozen of them. Being successful, they soon were awarded a few hundred more to manage and within eight months had an expanding spreadsheet with already 25,000 rows of transactions on it.

Another example I come across often, is tracking of voids. How void teams seem to love spreadsheets and the way columns can be formatted as dates. This ignores the fact that most integrated housing management systems out there can knock out a fairly functional void action plan. Spreadsheets can look sexier though and that's often the attraction.  One I was looking at with a void team recently (I won't say where) had an Excel guru who built theirs and it looked great. However to report they had to count voids manually, there were no SUM() functions in it, or conditional highlighting to graduate a cell red when it was overdue.

When it was suggested they could build the void action plan with dates in the HMS and it was explained that would be easily reportable, the conclusion floored me. The void manager said, "Oh yes, that would be just like a database!".  "Well yes dear, that's the point of an integrated HMS", I was thinking while I bit my tongue. I calmly suggested I put it on the list of areas we will note that need addressing.

...and don't get me on the number of excel hosted Gas servicing and asbestos spreadsheets I have seen, during my 19+ years in social housing. 

There is a serious skills gap around understanding Excel and also what is possible from applications users already have. The former is a problem caused by organisations, who rarely provide enough training to assist them in getting the most from a brilliant tool. Lack of knowledge of system applications that are there, to manage our business processes, sometimes comes down to lack of training, but also some chronic under-implementation.  Suppliers are as much to blame here as project teams and ICT staff. When suppliers make it so difficult to understand and configure integrated systems, it plays into the hands of the Excel lovers.

I leave you with this poem I stumbled across this week, from Brian Bilston. You will enjoy it if you know your Excel. If there are any subtleties you are missing, get yourself on an Excel course.

Feel free to get in touch if you can knock together an 'Ode to Ohms', 'A Couplet for Comino' or a 'Promaster Pentameter'. Get your stanza's out 8-)    

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

Related Post: When it comes to workflow, are your users more used to their tea-tray than their HMS Task-Tray?

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

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.


Hue and Cry - Labour Of Love.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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,HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,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 QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, 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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts 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 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,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

Deep Dive Inspection

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/




Some RSLs will now be encountering the HCA IDE (In-depth AKA Deep Dive  Assessments). One of the social landlords I work with was one of the first on the list. They are really good performers and hold top ratings for governance and financials, so didn't really expect any issues. By the looks of things, the assessment went very well, with procedures all documented and visibly in-use.

When a notice is imminent it is prudent to ensure everyone knows where procedures are, even if they are actively in use. I was very interested in what the assessment looked at within the ICT area. If any of my associates from the HCA are reading this, I promise I won't let too many cats of the bag, in this post.

Not surprisingly, key areas were data protection and security. The auditors were pretty sharp on these areas, control of email and system access etc. Anecdotally one thing that was asked was "how was a failure rectified and can you show that procedures are now in place to mitigate" (or similar).

Rather than sometimes 'lightweight young internal auditors', these were very experienced inspection staff, with a good understanding of the sector and what can go wrong.

So, lessons to be learnt for IT and ICT teams possibly facing these Homes & Communities In-Depth assessments, is have your ducks in a row and know where to find them. For ducks read 'procedures' and ensure they are actively and visibly in use, particularly around security and data protection areas. These areas should be watertight anyway for IT, but think carefully about what vulnerabilities you might have.

Being open about vulnerabilities and showing a plan is in place, would score many more brownie points than just trying to hide those. One thing was clear from what I witnessed, if you have a vulnerability, this audit will reveal it. For ICT this is not a mere box ticking exercise. One more reason to run a tight ship, know what your procedures should achieve and coach staff in keeping to them, if you have the assessors in or not 8-)

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

Related Post: How well do you look after your data?

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

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.


Dio - Holy Diver.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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,HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,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 QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point 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,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

Pictures At the HOMES Exhibition

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/
 



You will probably have noticed that the usual fixture of the mid-November UK Housing exhibition and conference season, Olympia's NHF IT, has now moved to February. That's the bad news, but the good news is that HOMES is at Olympia instead, on the 18th & 19th November. George Grant is also still hosting his Housing Technology Pizza Express bash on Tuesday 17th November.

I have enjoyed a good decades worth of NHF-IT Conferences in my time, from both sides of the stand. Its a shame this is moving, but I think HOMES this year will be most worthwhile. Always more assets & repair focused, supplier contacts on the grapevine are telling me that more will be doing HOMES this year. Its going to be a very interesting one.

More info here:
   http://inmotion-forum.com/homes-event-2015-register-free/

Our session details here:
   http://www.homesevent.co.uk/page.cfm/Action=Visitor/VisitorID=2185/loadSearch=27435_211

Get registered for free here:
   http://www.speeddata.co.uk/Forms/Default.aspx?FormRef=HomB5Visitor&EGRef=HOMIN42

For that reason, at the suggestion of those InMotion people, I have signed up with my good pal in the Get Real Partnership and Friends Critical, Barry Marlow (@BarryMarlow & http://www.barrymarlow.com/) and Alan Rogers from Curo, to tackle a slot at HOMES, Wednesday afternoon. Its entitled 'The Famous Five Do VfM' and I know you will enjoy it.

It will be in the same vein as the alternative session Barry & I did at Housing Technology, in March at the Oxford Belfry. Afterwards, from that session, George Grant passed on to me a comment made, that an attendee had nine take-aways from that session.That made me and Barry very proud and convinced us that the format must be useful for others.

Please come along, its free, and we would love to see you.

Also, if you are in town on the Wednesday evening, see you at George Grants Housing Technology bash at Pizza Express (sponsored by Cloudview - http://www.housing-technology.com/events/reception/  )

Related Post: Voids & recharges in social housing, why so difficult?

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

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.


ELP - Pictures At An Exhibition.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Barry Marlow, Tony Smith, Alan Rogers Famous5 Do Value For Money,Famous Five,FamousFive,HOMES,2015,HOMES2015, Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT, 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, HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,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 QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point 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,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .

Isolation

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/




I have been reading a very interesting book this week, called 'The Silo Effect', by Gillian Tett. It's a book that explores what happens when we do things in silo's within organisations. Sometimes it's good, other times bad.

Often in the jargon of IT and management speak, silos exist only to be torn down. I have seen quite a few silos and people who seemed to like working within them, to the detriment of their organisations. What I mean by silo working, is operating too much in isolation, not sharing information freely as needed, around the organisation.

There are of course physical and mental silos at work. How would we connect those silos or make them more effective? On leaving school, I undertook a technician apprenticeship at an electrical engineering company. It was a very immersive experience and took best part of three years. It took me through blue collar manufacturing, wiring  and testing areas, as well as white collar contracts, design, estimating, sales and IT areas. When I had finished I had a whole organisation journey in my mind.

My old dad, he had a very silo mentality, with shop floor staff in one, and office workers in another. He did not have the benefit of what I saw and sadly died when I was just 21, so we never managed to reconcile that one.

I have seen silo working within local authorities. it can often make one team or department more efficient at the detriment of others. It's the communication thing again, often a reluctance to engage in change projects and therefore problems only become evident when it's all over. Asset or GIS teams often traditionally used to work in this mode, although better HMS integration is definitely improving that.

Silos are not the cause of all issues though. Once you start looking for them however, you seem to want to find them everywhere.  One chapter in the book, looks at if Sony could have challenged Apple's iPod with a compatible player, if they were not stuck in a silo of offering a proprietary music file format. It was more of a mental silo they were in, as they did another Betamax again. it was probably lack of MP3 compatibility that  stopped the inventor of the Walkman, from being dominant in this new market.

Rigid streamlining sometimes stifles imagination in teams, seeing processes as a journey can be a way of coaxing out new ideas, which can be used to the organisations advantage.  Silo-ed data is rarely useful within our organisations and that's the endgame of ever greater module integration.

That ever greater data integration can however has a downside. Anyone who has ever been to Estonia will have noticed how tech-savvy that country is. Citizens are very positive about their civic data being recorded on them, to a much greater extent than would be favoured (by citizens) in the UK. In Estonia however, citizens have chosen to have all that data silo-ed in separate databases by design. The reason? Because then their government only can access only what they need to request. Greater integration would be a security issue for citizens.      

Definitely a book I would recommend, go check it out.   

Related Post: When choosing housing application software, doyou know what to askin the procurement?

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

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.


Alter Bridge - Isolation.
(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 , ," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos,Asprey e-state pro,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview, 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, 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,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, 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, HouSys,Housing software,HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,In4,InMotion, InMotion2014, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keyfax, Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice, MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS, mobile functionality,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-Time,Oracle,Orchard,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 QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,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, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousingg, tonysmiththathousinguy, sharepoint, share point 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,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App .