Cheltenham Borough Homes is using Telecetera’s Connect Enterprise mobile software for electrical testing (electrical installation condition reports); the housing provider’s team explain how they are getting on.
What made you decide to go digital for electrical testing (EICR)?
Shane Danson, electrical and mechanical supervisor, Cheltenham Borough Homes, said, “We’ve been asking for years to get the periodic inspections digitised because we could see how much time it would save. We were aware of other systems but we wanted to use Telecetera’s Connect Enterprise software because it’s a really flawless solution and so easy to use.
“Before the introduction of Connect Enterprise, we were drowning in paperwork, even to the extent that it was putting us off taking on temporary staff to help. Now if we need a temp, we just give them Connect and they are out on the road straight away.
“All electrical tests are managed through Connect, from making appointments with tenants through to completing the EICRs and issuing the certificates, so no more scanning of paperwork or problems with storing the information because it’s all easily accessible in Connect.”
How important is compliance for you?
Emma Wall, head of building services, Cheltenham Borough Homes, said, “Compliance will be huge in the housing sector, especially after the Grenfell Tower tragedy. In the past, all the focus has been on gas safety since that’s a legal requirement. The EICR scheduling and mobile working software has enabled improvements in workforce management, voids and periodic repairs and most significantly our ability to provide accurate data and an auditable trail in relation to health and safety, compliance, performance and complaints. It’s incredibly important that we look at all aspects of compliance and I can confidently say that today we are 100 per cent compliant.”
What are the benefits of Connect?
Karen Langridge, logistics manager, Cheltenham Borough Homes, said, “It’s the basic things that really make a difference to the process. We no longer have to go into the letters and type them up. There is a direct link to the EICR certificates in Connect so there’s no scanning or having to manage the certificates manually. We also have more control because the data from previous EICR test will be prefilled for the next test.
