Housing NZ taps cloud software to help manage over 60,000 units

Housing New Zealand is deploying cloud-based software from iViis to help manage its portfolio of over 60,000 homes.

The online solution from iViis is being implemented to support the government agency's focus on reconfiguring its portfolio. This means they have the right housing stock in the right places to meet demand.

‘’Key to solving the housing crisis in New Zealand is having a balanced social housing portfolio,” says iViis’ co-founder and managing director Nick Shier. “iViis is proud to be playing a part in helping achieve this.’’

‘’This is perfectly aligned with the government ICT vision for emerging IT to be quickly adopted by the government in partnership with the private sector,” says Shier.

“It’s better than trying to create these solutions in-house.”

HNZ is deploying iViis Connect, which integrates with multiple HNZ legacy systems including, financials, assets, document management, active directory and others.

The software allows staff to streamline the processes they use to manage their property projects on any device.

‘’By replacing separate systems and spreadsheets that the organisation typically uses in this situation, HNZ staff have the data they need at their fingertips,” says Shier.

“They can focus more on getting projects progressed rather than trying to track down information.”

Data is “rolled up” from the individual projects giving a single source of the truth across their all of their current and proposed assets,” explains Shier.

“Our philosophy enables our clients to move faster to make smarter decisions,” adds Shier.

“We do this by integrating information from existing systems into one easy to access online community, then automate previously manual processes, and finally look at ways of extending this functionality into new areas of the business.

“Any business partners can be provided with access to the information and processes relevant to them, thus reducing the cost of managing that relationship”.

The system was intuitive for HNZ staff to use so they could quickly start using it and not need a large, slow and expensive training process, says Shier.

“It is really about smarter government faster – instead of doing the old-style software developments, crown agencies are looking for more agile ways to deploy software that can help improve service delivery.

‘’We are delighted to have won this project against some significant international competition, and I think it reflects the mature approach of agencies like HNZ, who are focused on best fit and best outcomes and a ‘can do’ attitude from their business partners.’’

“iViis’ experience in government agencies with multiple projects for MBIE, and Southern Response along with projects in the construction sector with firms like Platinum, Stonewood and Horncastle, was also a factor in the company’s success with this bid.”

Send news tips and comments to divina_paredes@idg.co.nz

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