The Government’s blueprint to turbocharge the use of technology and AI across the UK this week is a positive step forward, unleashing AI to boost living standards.
There are a lot of promising cutting-edge software, tools and services for housing providers around.
Platforms that can centralise and optimise property operations present the most promising opportunities to leverage new technologies and tools, largely because the data captured will be in a single place and will be well-structured. Once structured and stored in a centralised manner, you can start to apply AI and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to that data, to provide your business with valuable actionable insight. As always though, it’s important when adopting and implementing such technologies, that you understand what you’re trying to achieve with it, rather than implementing it for no end.
Another area that can really benefit from some of the exciting technological developments is Diagnostics. It’s well-evidenced that an effective diagnostic journey for residents can reduce the number of inbound queries and increase the first-time fix (FTF) rate of repairs. Interesting tech for this part of the repair journey includes video diagnostics and augmented reality image-based support, as well as multimodal AI which can ingest text and image-based data to intelligently and accurately diagnose and contextualise an issue.
At Plentific, we’re continually leveraging these new technologies across our platform to benefit our clients. Our existing AI and ML features have received very positive feedback from clients, and we have an exciting pipeline of features to ensure that housing providers using Plentific are at the forefront of these tech advances.
While there’s absolutely a need to look at platforms that can offer cutting-edge technologies such as multimodal AI, it’s really important to ensure that some of the fundamentals work seamlessly too. Making sure your inspections data can be captured and stored centrally is critical, as is using the right scheduling tool (one that offers true dynamic scheduling). When looking architecturally, buying cloud-based software that has open, RESTful APIs is absolutely critical to ensure longevity of use, flexibility and scalability as business needs change over time. A modern approach to integrations should not be overlooked when procuring new software - a software that exposes its API endpoints and is open to integrations is critical. With these solid foundations met, housing providers can start to look at some of the really exciting tech advancements that are available.
Plentific offers a complete end-to-end property operations platform, as well as a centralised and digitalised supply chain, giving housing providers flexibility in how they fulfil repairs, planned maintenance, compliance, fulfil other asset upkeep objectives. A platform for Internal Teams (DLOs) and an accompanying native app means that in-house teams can fulfil works in a unified connected platform to other types of repairs. With modules for compliance, voids, complex project management (such as disrepair or damp and mould), and an integration inspections tool, the platform allows you to centralise your operations and supply chain in a single offering.
With multiple integrations with major housing management systems, CRMs and ERPs, Plentific blends into housing providers’ tech stack and gives the real-time transparency that the sector needs. Our in-house expertise on integration topics allows us to advise clients on the best integration architecture based on their needs and existing systems.
The benefits?
Plentific gives clients the transparency that is increasingly required of housing providers by the regulator. With a resident portal, diagnostic tool and feedback, housing providers can collate the data required for the new TSMs quickly. A centralised supply chain provides flexibility for housing providers to allocate and re-allocate works with ease, depending on demand. Contractors also benefit from the increased visibility and opportunity to win more work with a wide range of clients. Centralisation and accurate, real-time data allow for increased operational efficiencies to be realised, whilst automating elements of the ‘run-of-the-mill’ workflows means that Plentific clients can do more, more efficiently.
At Plentific, we’re continually leveraging AI and new technologies across our platform for the benefit of our clients. In 2025, we will be launching a suite of further features powered by AI to improve property operations, putting residents first, making processes smarter and more intuitive.
These include AI-powered personal assistants for residents, improving diagnostic work order descriptions with automatic AI powered suggestions, detecting duplicate work orders, reducing the need for calls with landlords and ultimately the time to complete repairs.
We have an exciting pipeline of AI features ensuring that housing providers using Plentific are at the forefront of advances in AI technology.
Emily Shaw, Director, Product Lead at Plentific
