Flagship Group, in partnership with a number of local companies, has launched a pilot project to understand more about how smart technology and the internet of things could help improve the management of its properties, improve tenants’ lives and increase the mobility of its staff.
Flagship’s project involves free wi-fi and smart technologies installed in a block of flats in Ipswich. Norwich-based WiSpire is enabling connectivity by providing wi-fi for the properties, Dereham-based DoorsPlus has provided smart locks so that tenants and Flagship staff can use their mobile phones to access the building, and Switchee has contributed its IoT-based smart thermostats.
Marie-Claire Delbrouque, director of housing and customer insight, Flagship Group, said, “This is about creating an improved service for our tenants. The use of iPads and smart phones allows them to communicate more efficiently because they can pay their rent and log a repair online immediately, which also reduces the number of calls made to our contact centre.
“The tenants we are using for the trial have been very receptive and are looking forward to seeing how the new technology will make their lives easier. We hope the next few months will be a success, with the prospect of rolling it out across the company in the near future.”
Matt Brazier, head of IT, Flagship Group, said, “There are lots of benefits, including the use of a smart thermostat which can learn habits automatically, optimising heating settings while providing alerts for potential issues, so in the long run saving both tenants and our maintenance teams money.”
