Around the Office…

Hello blog readers! I’m going to take this opportunity to share with you a few items I have been working in the past couple of weeks.

First off, we have seen the release of Internet Explorer 9 from Microsoft for users of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Those of you lucky enough to have got your hands on the latest web browser will be pleased to know that ReACT and ReSOLVE are supported and everything works as expected! One thing you may need to be aware of however is that you need to have ReACT or ReSOLVE running in “Compatibility Mode” – there is an option for this in “Tools” of the web browser. The easiest way to check if your browser is running in Compatibility Mode is to try and generate a Letter Template. If you have the “Create Note” option on screen, then everything is A-OK, if not, you need to hit that Compatibility View option!

Something else I have been working on recently is the testing and rolling out of ReVIEW2. Version 2 sees improved Views for the end user to choose from with additional data available to select. We have also stripped down the standard cubes shipped with the product so that the user doesn’t get confused when trying to compare multiple sets of data that are actually calculated differently. If you are an existing ReVIEW user and haven’t been updated recently, please contact Support and we can get the latest version out to you so you can enjoy the benefits of quick reporting from ReACT. You may also be reading this having not seen ReVIEW, in that case, please ask us for a demo which we can offer over the Web!

The final item I would like to share is we are now rolling out more ReMOTE installations. ReMOTE is a service that you can integrate into your own website. It then allows for complaints of ASB to be logged without the need to log in to ReACT, and more importantly, allows for complaints to be logged by Tenants themselves directly from your corporate website. Once an individual has input the basic complaint details, ReMOTE will create a Pending Note in the ReACT system that it is linked to. That note can then be picked up by the Duty Officers or ASB Team to decide to progress the note to a full ReACT Case or to deal with it accordingly. Again, if ReMOTE is something that you would like further information on, please contact our Sales Team on 0121 384 2513 and we can give you more information.

By Chris Powell.

HouseMark reports

 I have some days scheduled over the next two weeks to develop a new series of HouseMark report which will sit alongside the HouseMark Upload Preview Report. When the HouseMark benchmarking quarters are coming to a close and the data deadlines approach we receive a number of queries regarding how the numbers are calculated and which cases are involved to make up each individual measure and value.

To help cut down on the number of these queries and to continuously improve the ReACT product we are introducing a series of reports which will provide a detailed breakdown of each HouseMark measure so that users can see specifically which cases are included in each value. Documentation will also be provided so that you will know the specific details on why a case is or isn’t included in each measure. It is not necessary to run these extra reports to complete the upload but will help to provide further evidence and backup to the figures as well as possible helping to trend where the values could be improved.

By Phil Egan

ReACT 4: coming soon

Here at EBS we are now developing ReACT 4 – taking all of our customer  requests for change and putting together the final specification for the new version. As you will see from previous blog posts, we are already trialling SMS texting with Deeplake, as well adapting ReMOTE for use with customer websites.

The first glimpses of version 4 will be available at our user group meetings mid-October; a chance for all users to network and discuss where the products move next. One of the main reasons for the success of our products is that we listen to our users and take on board their suggestions – after all these are the professionals who use the tools every day.

The user group meetings will take place on the 19th October in Birmingham and the 21st October in London. If you would like to come, please contact the ReACT team on 0121 384 2513. Customers can also email their account manager to secure their place.

ReSOLVE Summer Development Progress update

 You may recall from my earlier blog post on  24^th May that I talked about the planned development changes in the ReSOLVE application, to include reports that provide the data required for HouseMark Complaints benchmarking.

As it happens the rota for my blog date has fallen within the same week as the next phase of development for the changes.

The work scheduled for this week is to develop the database and the changes required behind the scenes to include the relevant data for reporting and integrate it into the ReSOLVE application.

Following this week’s work we will then be running various internal tests to make sure that the application is ready to be installed on customer sites.

We expect that the update to be ready for installation from week commencing 9^th August.

Following on from the ReSOLVE release, HouseMark will be activating an automatic upload facility in autumn so that you can upload your benchmarking statistics directly into their website, rather than spend time inputting the figures manually.

For details of costs and to schedule your upgrade please contact the ReACT and ReSOLVE team on 0121 384 2513 and select option 4.

Get your tenants texting ASB complaints to ReACT

Picture this:

A tenant sees graffiti on her local estate. She uses her mobile phone to text the problem to the ASB hotline. On the other side of town, the ReACT system picks up the text and allocates the new case to an ASB officer. The officer looks at the case and sends an update of its progress back to the tenant.

 This scenario is about to become reality, thanks to ReACT’s partnership with Deeplake.

Deeplake’s software now links directly into ReACT, allowing tenants to text ASB complaints directly to the system, saving staff time and trouble. They can also receive regular updates from ReACT, telling them how the complaint is progressing. 

 Here at ReACT we are looking for customers to trial the new feature over the summer. If you would like to be part of this group and test SMS integration with your ReACT system, please let us know by emailing info@react-asb.co.uk