Aldwyck Housing Group has chosen mobile workforce technology from 1st Touch (www.1sttouch.com). The software will enable a multi-platform technology solution for the delivery of its ‘Connect' repairs and housing management services and so future-proof the service provided by both responsive repairs operatives and Housing Officers. Aldwyck were also interested in the development by 1st Touch of an integrated 24/7 online customer self-service facility and mobile app and are developing their requirements to tailor the use of this functionality for the benefit of their customers.

Based in Bedfordshire, Aldwyck Housing has a stock of 11,000 homes and over 20,000 customers across the South East and East of England. The Group has a long track record of delivering affordable homes to rent and buy and provides supported housing and care services for its customers. As part of its corporate strategy, Aldwyck has initiated a number of new programmes that will make a real difference to its customers. A major part of this strategy is the deployment of 1st Touch software.

Aldwyck's Housing team is to hold an initial pilot of the new software, which will be followed by a full roll out later in the year. Once in place, 1st Touch will send details of customer visits to housing officers' mobile devices. The officers will then have all the relevant information at their fingertips and be able to book follow up appointments for other services provided by the Group. Aldwyck will be able to provide an enhanced customer service and gain cost savings for the Group as Housing Officers will no longer have to return to the office to get access to customer information.

Aldwyck chose 1st Touch as the system works seamlessly across multiple devices and had a wide range of readymade off the shelf forms. It also allows Aldwyck to brand the device screens to accommodate their own corporate identity. Aldwyck was also impressed by the market share that 1st Touch has and the company's credibility amongst similar social housing organisations. Another important factor was that 1st Touch already had experience of integration with the Civica Universal Housing Management System used by Aldwyck.

Commenting on the decision to deploy 1st Touch, Jeff Roberts Aldwyck's Chief Information Officer said, "We carried out a thorough and professional review of the market and 1st Touch was the best solution to meet our needs. The self-service app will both increase accessibility and boost customer engagement. It will also ensure that our call centre staff have more time to spend with those customers who have the greatest need."

Robert Dent CEO of 1st Touch welcomed Jeff Roberts' comments adding, "Aldwyck Housing Group always maintains the very highest customer service standards. In pursuit of this commitment to quality, they set out to make a real difference for their customers. We are delighted that they chose 1st Touch to help fulfil this objective. In accomplishing this aim, they have also demonstrated how well our software works as a truly enterprise wide solution and across multiple devices. We look forward to working closely with them as they identify other areas where 1st Touch can deliver efficiencies and benefits."