Westlea signs deal for
'ground-breaking' IT system

Pictured left to right, at the signing of the deal to provide the new IT system: Rob Fletcher, Westlea Head of ICT, Ann Cornelius, Westlea Executive Director (Operations) and Nick Lambert, Orchard Finance Director.

After a comprehensive procurement project, Westlea Housing has selected Orchard Information Systems to supply an extensive range of integrated software systems.

Westlea manages around 6,000 homes – mainly in Wiltshire and Swindon, employs 250 staff and has its headquarters in Chippenham. The new Orchard-supplied computer systems will be key tools to help Westlea further improve its customer service and back-office efficiency.

Rob Fletcher, Westlea’s Head of IT, said: “The Orchard system does the basics very well which is always important. Added to this, we get a rich and extendable computing environment that is flexible in that it can be configured to meet our precise needs.

“This is great news for Westlea – it will mean that our that staff can spend more time with residents and less time behind the computer.”

In collaboration with Westlea, Orchard Information Systems have pioneered the use of ICT to support the aspirations of the housing sector’s ‘In Business For Neighbourhoods’ agenda. This has resulted in a more joined-up approach towards information management across the neighbourhoods and communities in which housing associations work.

Rob Fletcher continues: “It’s simply really – we just wanted to make sure the left hand knew what the right hand was doing at Westlea. We came up with the concept for Orchard’s ‘Neighborhoods’ functionality right from the start. It’s about equipping our staff with a wide range of information while they are out and about so they can answer multiple queries when they meet residents.

“It’s also about working more effectively with our community based partners through a better awareness of all the issues that can impact on people’s quality of life. The new computer software will also help us with consultations and resident involvement through a better understanding of individual profiles.

“Although this innovation was ground-breaking, it was equally important however that we felt able to work with Orchard as an organisation. Orchard are knowledgeable, approachable and show a clear commitment to continuing to develop their software for social housing organisations like Westlea.”

Orchard is equally enthused about the prospect of working with Westlea. Nick Lambert, Orchard’s Finance Director said: “Westlea is a very positive and forward looking organisation. They have shown commitment to the success of the project at all levels within the organisation. They have set up a dedicated project team who have been relieved of their ‘day jobs’ in order to concentrate on the project and provided them with excellent project facilities. In our long and extensive experience, this augurs very well for a most successful implementation of the new system.”