Housing associations are under immense pressure to do more with less. IT leaders in housing associations are tasked with supporting a wide range of user needs, even though they have limited budgets and resources. With changing conditions and new technologies, it is more important than ever for housing associations to be agile and respond quickly to these changes. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of agility and how it can be achieved.
The agility advantage
Agility has emerged as a crucial advantage for housing associations - it is the backbone that enables efficient decision-making, seamless collaboration, and scalable infrastructure that can adapt to changing conditions.
Agility in decision-making is about more than just speed; it’s about making informed decisions swiftly and effectively. This agility allows housing associations to respond proactively to changes, whether they're market trends, policy shifts or unexpected challenges. It facilitates the ability to pivot strategies, ensuring the association remains competitive and relevant in an ever-changing environment.
Collaboration is another area where agility plays a pivotal role. A dynamic, agile approach fosters open communication and cross-functional teamwork. It encourages different departments within a housing association to work synergistically, breaking down silos and promoting the sharing of ideas and resources. This collaborative environment not only sparks innovative solutions but also expedites problem-solving, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Moreover, agility enables a scalable infrastructure. Housing associations are often tasked with managing a vast array of properties and tenant needs. An agile, scalable infrastructure can dynamically adjust to varying demands, scaling up or down as necessary. This flexibility ensures the association can meet tenant needs promptly without compromising on service quality.
The benefits of this agility translate into tangible cost savings and productivity boosts. By enabling swift, informed decision-making, agility reduces the time and resources spent on drawn-out deliberation. Collaborative efficiency cuts down on duplication of effort, saving both time and money. And a scalable infrastructure means housing associations can optimise resource allocation, reducing wastage and improving ROI.
In essence, agility offers housing associations the resilience and adaptability they need in this fast-paced, digital age. It's not just about keeping pace with change, but harnessing it to deliver superior services, drive growth, and ultimately, create thriving communities.
How can it be achieved?
One popular way to boost agility is by outsourcing IT functions to a Managed Services Provider (MSP). This strategic move can empower housing associations to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency, whilst also freeing up resources to focus on strategic initiatives and innovation.
Workplace Services
Hybrid working models, blending remote and office-based work, have become the new norm. An MSP can provide workplace services that support these models, enabling seamless collaboration irrespective of location. By offering secure access to data and applications from any location, MSPs ensure that teams can work effectively and efficiently, fostering a culture of collaboration that drives innovation and improvement.
Cloud Migration Services
Cloud migration services offered by MSPs are a key to unlocking greater agility. By shifting data and applications to the cloud, housing associations gain access to a scalable and flexible infrastructure. This facilitates rapid responses to changing demands, without significant capital outlay on physical infrastructure. Plus, with data and applications accessible anywhere, anytime, collaboration among teams, even in a hybrid working model, becomes seamless and efficient.
Service Integration and Management (SIAM)
SIAM is another valuable service from MSPs. It allows housing associations to manage multiple service providers effectively, ensuring they work together towards shared objectives. This integrated approach reduces duplication of effort, streamlines processes, and results in considerable time and cost savings. Moreover, SIAM provides a comprehensive view of all IT services, empowering housing associations to make informed, agile decisions.
Service Desk Support
MSPs can provide 24/7 service desk support, ensuring that any IT issues are swiftly identified and resolved. This minimises downtime and maintains operational efficiency, freeing up the housing association to focus on strategic initiatives rather than getting tied up in day-to-day IT management.
Strategic Focus
By outsourcing IT to an MSP, housing associations can reallocate their resources to strategic initiatives and improvements. This means they can dedicate more time and energy to innovation, tenant services, and other areas that directly contribute to their growth and the well-being of the communities they serve.
At Advanced, we understand that every industry faces unique challenges and requires tailored IT services to meet specific needs. With extensive cross-sector experience, Advanced are able to support, design, implement and manage your IT environment and empower your organisation. Learn more about our IT Services for Housing Associations.
