Castleton Technology : to deliver a fully integrated solutions suite to support Connect Housing’s service delivery transformation

Castleton Technology PLC have recently been announced as Housing Technology Partner for Connect Housing Association, providers of over 3,000 homes across West Yorkshire.The agreement, which is valued at £1.3 million over a five-year period, will see Castleton deliver a suite of fully integrated solutions to support the transformation of Connect's service delivery and enhance business processes.

Following an in-depth competitive dialogue tender process (facilitated by Alysium Consulting) Castleton will work in partnership with Connect to deliver their integrated ERP Housing solution. These solutions include Castleton's CRM, Housing, Financials, Repairs, Contractor Portal, P2P, EDRM, Reporting, Data Services and Asset Management solutions.

Connect will further invest in solutions that will enhance their Digital Engagement capabilities with their customers. Castleton's Agile solution will allow for workforce mobilisation whilst Castleton's more recent releases of Communication Manager and Castleton.DIGITAL promote instant, self-service interaction through the provision of portals, customer apps and SMS communication.

Aligning to Connect's strategic requirements, the housing association is committed to ensuring the technology employed works for both customers and the business. Specifically, Castleton.DIGITAL will offer a platform for creating digital inclusion programmes. Castleton's Maintain solution will support continued investment in good housing through optimised asset value and return and Castleton's Housing solution will underpin a centralised focus on Connect's properties, its environment and its management.

Full integration of system data and functionality will enable Connect to operate as a 'joined up' organisation enabling events occurring in one area of the business to be fully visible in real-time to other areas of the business.

Helen Lennon, CEO for Connect, explained why Castleton were chosen as their preferred technology supplier:

'Having gone through an extensive competitive dialogue procurement process, we are delighted to appoint Castleton as our Housing Technology partner for the next five years and beyond. They engaged with us on a comprehensive basis throughout the process and have invested a lot of time and effort into understanding our organisational needs and growth strategy moving forward. This is indicative of the relationship that we are now experiencing as we embark on a significant implementation project. Working with Castleton, we are confident their solutions will facilitate our aim to be a community anchor, supporting people and places to be the best that they can be.'

Dean Dickinson, CEO at Castleton shared his views on the project, 'We are delighted to have been chosen by Connect to help them achieve their digital transformation strategy and their ambitious plans for growth in the coming years. Working in partnership with Castleton, Connect will embark on a major channel shift, which will impact both employees and customers positively. Employees will now be able to access information anytime anywhere. Importantly, Connect customers will reap the benefits of the partnership and they will now have the ability to communicate with Connect in a number of ways on different devices.'

By establishing a solutions platform to proactively interact with customers, Castleton will support Connect Housing to facilitate the rising expectations of their customers, many of whom are preferring digital means to communicate with Connect. This will allow for valuable time and resources to be fully dedicated towards Connect's support and community services that require a more 'offline' approach.

The project is now underway and is due to be completed with all solutions live in April 2020.

Pictured: Dean Dickinson, CEO Castleton Technology PLC and Helen Lennon, CEO Connect Housing Association.