Ideal Boilers has introduced new ‘Ideal Partnership’ and ‘Contractor Connect’ portals for local authorities, housing associations and contractors.

Research into social housing by the company has revealed that half of the £25bn that is spent annually within the sector, is on maintenance and management of existing housing stock, and that 75% of local authorities (LAs) and housing associations (HAs) outsource this work.

In addition, the research revealed the scale of the challenges facing staff at LAs and HAs as they manage their workloads: from the ever-changing regulatory obligations; to the variety of their property portfolios; the age of the properties; the heating systems and staying on top of the never-ending paperwork.

Understanding these challenges meant Ideal could develop a simplified, online system which would help HA and LA staff to better manage the revenue they generate; to manage their contractors for improved service and efficiency, and keep up-to-date on changes in policy and legislation.

Ideal understood that its customers also wanted a system which was secure, personalised and up-to-date. The new, interconnected portals will help to make life simpler for LA or HA staff and contractors.

The Ideal Partnership is a bespoke housing stock management system which gives LA and HA staff an overview of boiler stock installed, the locations and installation dates, all in one place. They can also view boiler system water test results to ensure boilers have been installed correctly, where applicable, check boiler registrations and, via the innovative CSR (corporate social responsibility) function, spend credits accrued when installing Ideal boilers in their properties on community projects such as tenant energy awareness, sponsorship and community programmes or even new park benches.

The Contractor Connect portal works in tandem with the Ideal Partnership portal, helping contractors service their HA and LA clients quickly and efficiently. Contractor Connect is also an online, secure site, accessible via desktop or on a mobile device.

Contractors can now simply and efficiently register the newly installed boiler with Gas Safe, register the warranty with Ideal and activate their claim for any relevant rebate. In addition, they can access extensive product information.

Head of marketing at Ideal Boilers, Carrie Young, said: “We are very excited to have launched such innovative and intuitive portals for our social housing customers. These have been developed following an intensive period of research and development.”

She continued: “The new social housing website, developed alongside and complementing the portals, ensures easy access to relevant information, including simplified access to our design office and developer checklists. There are also details on the training available, CSR package highlights, product information, industry news & blogs and direct sales team contact ensuring excellent ongoing customer-centric service.  

“We believe the portals and website will help make life simpler for busy social housing professionals and contractors in their challenging and fast-paced work,” added Ms Young.