A business obviously has to make a profit to survive, but once a profit is being made the next goal is increasing it. If a business isn’t making a profit or barely breaking even then clearly more income is required. In both cases the remedy is to increase profit margins
Corecom Consulting, a Leeds-headquartered IT recruitment firm, has recorded substantial growth within the last 12 months, as it opened an extra office in Manchester. The company has also extended its charity partnerships and gained new clients. Opened in January 2018, the Manchester office marked the launch of software testing community
There is no doubt that the adoption of PropTech has grown during 2018. Vicky Green, associate director in Trident’s Leeds office, explains: “Mobile data capture software is instrumental to Trident’s work today. On site, we access data efficiently using hand-held technology which we then upload to reporting software, ensuring that
Tridify, the software technology specialist delivering automation products for the AEC industry, announced today a partnership with Unity Technologies to deliver Tridify Convert, an automation tool available on the Unity Asset store, which will streamline Unity AEC developer workflows. Tridify Convert is an automatically scalable BIM cloud service, enabling the conversion of
From listing properties and finding tenants, to screening prospective tenants and much more, the uses of social media in the rental sector are wide ranging. In the age of social media, personal information is fast becoming public property. Millions are now willingly sharing information which was previously confidential; photos, political
The Power of BIM & Revit The terms BIM and Revit have been in common usage in the construction industry for several years now and Tricon Foodservice Consultants have been a leading player in bringing about the adoption of BIM in the industry. After years of investment, Tricon are delighted
3D Repo is celebrating award success having scooped two honours at the Construction Computing Awards. Presented with the ‘Cloud Technology of 2018’ award for its digital construction platform, 3D Repo, as part of the I3P consortium with partners Atkins, Balfour Beatty and Mott MacDonald among others, also achieved ‘Health and
ISG has further demonstrated its commitment to maximising technology to drive operational efficiencies by securing a BIM Level 2 accreditation for its collaborative, dynamic delivery of projects using digital construction techniques. The global construction services company was awarded the BSI Kitemark for its BIM Level 2 certification to PAS1192:2-2013 and
In the past, if you wanted to buy or sell a property the only option was to go through a high-street estate agent. Sellers were willing to pay thousands for an agent to take control of the process and guide them through each step. Yet recently, new technology and a
A series of five, two-day Building Information Modelling training courses has been launched by ceda, developed in conjunction with The BIM Academy and Northumbria University. Initially offered to ceda Members, the uptake has been incredibly positive therefore more course will be organised for both Members and non-members. “As with everything
A business obviously has to make a profit to survive, but once a profit is being made the next goal is increasing it. If a business isn’t making a profit or barely breaking even then clearly more income is required. In both cases the remedy is to increase profit margins – but how? The simple answer is to either increase income or lower expenses – ideally both for an extra boost to margins. Lowering expenses Increase efficiency – improving stock control and cutting down on wastage can be achieved through using modern stock tracking software. Reducing waste immediately cuts expenses on re-stocking and perhaps over spending on stock that’s not required so helping profit margins widen. Good stock control systems provide intelligence about what’s selling and when, so you can focus more on products that are shifting quicker than slower moving items. Review your buying habits – are you getting the best deal from your suppliers? It pays to regularly check. Maybe buying in more bulk might reduce the overall price per item? Be careful not to overdo this though and end up with items sitting around unsold tying up money. Check you’re not paying over the odds with other items such as utilities and stationery supplies. Any savings you can make all help improve margins. Marketing costs – you may be able to reduce the cost of each sale by lowering how much you spend on getting each customer ‘through the door’. If you haven’t looked into digital marketing methods such as social media maybe it’s time you did? In general, social media and email marketing can cost much less than traditional forms such as on page advertising. Focus on existing customers – it’s far less expensive to sell to existing customers than finding new ones, so spend time actively selling to your existing customer base. Reduce overheads – perhaps consider the following: Premises – maybe you could scale back on where you do business. Perhaps you’re not fully utilizing the space you’re paying for so smaller and less costly premises might be worth considering. Staffing – redundancies are a major move in reducing overheads, but other less drastic measures can reduce costs. Outsourcing instead of hiring for certain roles could save money; no office space to provide, no pension contributions and other ‘plus salary’ costs. If someone has left perhaps their job can be absorbed by others or outsourced? Increasing profits Increase average customer spend – the classic way many successful companies maximize revenue and margins is to sell more to the same customer. Fast food giant McDonald’s has the classic “do you want fries with that?” or “go large for XX extra” as a way of making more from each sale. People spending even a little more per sale can make a huge difference to the bottom line. When factoring in Business Process Outsource for use, this will ensure the best savings. Along with offering add ons, up selling and cross selling is worth doing if appropriate in your business. Amazon do this as a matter of course by showing other items on product pages under the captions: ‘others also bought this’ and ‘you might also be interested in this’. Focus on higher margin and best selling lines – if you offer a range of products or services then maybe it’s worth focusing on those with the best margins or those that sell the best. Spending time and money in lower performing areas could be cut or at least reduced so focusing on the higher margin areas. Raise prices – an obvious move to increase margins but when did you last raise your prices? This will largely depend on what business you’re in of course, and maybe it’s a very price sensitive market you’re in, but as your costs increase you’re in effect lowering your profit margin if your prices stay the same. Overall review of service It’s worth periodically reviewing your business offering and how you provide it. By changing aspects of your service you may be able to, for example, lower overheads without compromising on the quality of your products or services
Corecom Consulting, a Leeds-headquartered IT recruitment firm, has recorded substantial growth within the last 12 months, as it opened an extra office in Manchester. The company has also extended its charity partnerships and gained new clients. Opened in January 2018, the Manchester office marked the launch of software testing community networking events in the region. The company has extended its support for Emmaus, a charity for the previously homeless, partnering with its Salford community in addition to Leeds. “We are ahead of our five per cent forecasted growth figure and on track to achieve a turnover of £4,940,125 and net profit of £474,978 by the end of 2018,” said Jonathan Sanderson, managing director at Corecom Consulting. Since the start of the year, the company has achieved 10 award shortlists including those for the company’s innovative marketing strategy, presence in the Manchester region, contributions to charity and for its entrepreneurial company leaders. “By 2019, we plan to open a third office in London. We are looking forward to and are committed to expanding our relationships across the North West and South East of England, including sharing our knowledge and expertise in the local communities in which we operate,” said Jonathan about future plans. Established in 2008, Corecom Consulting has grown from 15 to 24 employees over the last 12 months and the company plans to recruit an additional six members of staff at its Leeds HQ and is forecasting a year on year growth of eight per cent in both Leeds and Manchester by December 2019.
There is no doubt that the adoption of PropTech has grown during 2018. Vicky Green, associate director in Trident’s Leeds office, explains: “Mobile data capture software is instrumental to Trident’s work today. On site, we access data efficiently using hand-held technology which we then upload to reporting software, ensuring that a consistent structure is followed and the risk of error is substantially reduced. “Our data capture software collects and compares data with predefined element lists and produces tailored outputs to suit reporting requirements, prioritising expenditure over a specified period. Due to the element grades being consistent and predefined, the software allows for more intelligent decisions to be made across portfolios, often resulting in significant cost savings. Data capture software also allows for rapid data analysis and document preparation, resulting in a faster turnaround. “In addition to increasing efficiencies, this means of reporting enables a greater understanding of the issues and the ability to isolate elements, sub elements, grades or priorities. It allows a building owner or manager to group costs by region or across their entire portfolio, creating greater efficiencies and to budget and prioritise expenditure more effectively and to put in place larger scale programmes of work. Furthermore, the ability for companies to analyse the cost of maintenance versus capital expenditure creates greater transparency in budgeting, as well as bringing to light the efficiency of their current maintenance suppliers/contracts.” So where will the technology take us next? Vicky says: “We are also exploring the use of 3D photography, which enables various sets of data to be linked to a 3D format and as such, links planned preventative maintenance (PPM) to BIM. 3D cameras have substantial benefits. Take working at height, for example. Accessing rooflines, fascias and guttering is a perpetual problem for many property maintenance professionals. Scaffolding and cherry-pickers can be prohibitively expensive and even then are sometimes unsuitable. ”Faced with exactly this dilemma, we recently carried out a series of PPM surveys for a client with unusually remote and inaccessible property assets but were able to capture all of the information using drone technology. Drones have the substantial benefit of not only providing an immediate, cost effective solution, but can photograph remote locations with virtually no disruption. “As a result of data provision through images, cloud surveys and more accurate surveying of existing buildings, BIM – once the province of just building designers – is now increasingly links to both PPM and facilities management, causing efficiencies for each. The benefits of BIM are unparalleled, particularly when a substantial survey needs to be undertaken while the building remains occupied. “And as the Internet of Things becomes more widely used it is inevitable that a building’s plant will communicate directly into PPM reporting and scheduling. “In the last year alone we have seen considerable change in the way in which building consultancy can benefit from technology and we anticipate many more positive changes in the years ahead.” Rights of light There is no doubt that a right to light has become of increasing importance. This was exacerbated following the publication of the Government’s revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in July, which states that, “When considering applications for housing, authorities should take a flexible approach in applying policies or guidance relating to daylight and sunlight, where they would otherwise inhibit making efficient use of a site.” It is no coincidence that Trident created a new Rights of Light team in 2018. The team is led by Dan Wade, director in Trident’s London office, who comments, “The need for the new service line follows evolving case law and changes to planning policy (both nationally and locally). The main issue today is building tall in city centres. What does this mean for existing affected neighbours and future developers and investors? How will they all stand together? Cooperation and clear communication are key but that’s just the basics. Rights of light assessments get into the finer detail and are something that Trident now deals with.” So, how is it done? “Technology plays a vital part in measuring impact. The future for this service will incorporate PropTech which makes each job more efficient, more accurate and easier to understand. In fact, modern technology methods such as radiance assessments are ahead of those required in current legislation. “As this technology evolves and increasingly integrates with technology such as BIM, I can see it used to better visualise complex data. Working alongside other service lines, such as architecture and project management, we can identify issues in the design stage to allow architects to incorporate design features to combat these issues. This increases our ability to deliver projects on time and on budget too. The use of technology allows us to react to last minute changes and it can speed up what is a complicated process.” The future of office design Architects and designers are repeatedly tasked with generating innovative office designs to tempt an evolving and increasingly diverse workforce. Kim Benam, associate director in Trident’s London office explains: “Increasingly, we are asked to future-proof offices for a new generation of workers. Both Cat A and Cat B design are evolving to suit new ways of working by maximising flexibility and providing multiple ways of occupying workspaces. And as the debate between open and cellular offices continues, so does the research. Desk modules are rapidly reducing in size with shared storage zones, but designs need to be mindful of a human’s need for personal space and privacy. To combat this, soft zones, private booths and even restorative spaces to support people’s cognitive health are becoming key features of office design. This is balanced with areas for teams to congregate and to generate social interaction. The freedom for workers to roam the office to find the right balance of both social and private time, and even preferred room temperature, is also embraced in current workplace trends.” A multi-disciplinary approach to building consultancy With the recent addition of Architecture and Rights of Light to the Trident offer, the
Tridify, the software technology specialist delivering automation products for the AEC industry, announced today a partnership with Unity Technologies to deliver Tridify Convert, an automation tool available on the Unity Asset store, which will streamline Unity AEC developer workflows. Tridify Convert is an automatically scalable BIM cloud service, enabling the conversion of 3D BIM CAD data into Unity in real-time. It delivers UV-mapped and optimized models regardless of the project size. Tridify Convert includes a simple Industry Foundation Class (IFC) file export from all BIM and CAD software platforms, with automated features such as material mapping, colliders, and lighting generation. “We have a deep understanding of BIM and the AEC industry having used Unity to develop our own AEC visualization application over five years ago,” said Juha Alanen, EVP of Sales at Tridify. “Our R&D team recognized that by working with Unity, we could deliver a solution that would automatically streamline the process of delivering UV-mapped and optimized architectural models to XR-ready 3D files. Together, with Unity, we are solving the problem of repetitive, slow, and error-prone re-modeling.” “Unity’s mission is to solve hard problems for all developers and working with Tridify ensures that our AEC developers can save money, increase efficiencies, and improve collaboration,” said Tim McDonough, General Manager of Industrial at Unity Technologies. “For designers, engineers, and trailblazers across AEC, Unity is the most versatile and widely used real-time 3D platform for visualizing products and building interactive and virtual experiences and we look forward to working with Tridify to shape the future of AEC. For more information about Tridify Convert, visit the Tridify website.
From listing properties and finding tenants, to screening prospective tenants and much more, the uses of social media in the rental sector are wide ranging. In the age of social media, personal information is fast becoming public property. Millions are now willingly sharing information which was previously confidential; photos, political views, work history and even whereabouts can be found in a few clicks. It’s now easier than ever to build a picture of someone’s habits and tendencies with just basic information. The applicability to the rental market is obvious; 11% of landlords now routinely check social media profiles of prospective tenants as part of their screening process. While this may seem more of a personality report and cannot replace hard facts like credit checks and criminal records, it helps build an overall picture of the prospective tenant which would be impossible to glean from information provided by traditional sources. Many part-time landlords are also using social media to find new tenants, other than saving on letting agent fees, the benefits of finding a tenant in your social network, and therefore someone you implicitly trust, can be priceless. And even if you don’t know the person well, you can quickly build trust through mutual friends. Using social media in a more traditional way also has huge benefits. Facebook has an advertising feature which allows targeting ads for rental properties towards specific audiences within their 2 billion active user base. While smaller landlords may find this too expensive, the wider reach may appeal to large portfolio managers. Of course, if you do go this route, you will lose the personal touch of posting on your own timeline, etc. But social media has its risks, if you are using it to screen tenants, you should consider using it as a quick way to spot red flags, rather than relying on it to fully guide your decision making. There’s also a question of ethics, is it fair to judge someone based on the few things they share online? Do you feel comfortable looking at a stranger’s profile without their consent? What if it was the other way around? Letting the prospective tenant know they will be checked online may allay some of these concerns. However, you may feel about social media, it’s here to stay. Other than a few moral qualms, there’s no reason not to use social media as part of your screening process, indeed it is likely to become a generally accepted part of a modern landlord’s due diligence. The sooner you get onboard, the better. Arthur Online is a cloud-based platform that enables property managers to respond instantly and solve problems fast from anywhere in the world, be it with tenants, contractors, property owners or letting agents. Since launching in 2015, it has helped thousands of property managers like Marc run their portfolios in the cheapest, most efficient way possible by using the full potential of new technology and cloud computing. See how Arthur can help your business by going to https://www.arthuronline.co.uk/private-rental/?utm_source=Property%20and%20Development&utm_medium=article
The Power of BIM & Revit The terms BIM and Revit have been in common usage in the construction industry for several years now and Tricon Foodservice Consultants have been a leading player in bringing about the adoption of BIM in the industry. After years of investment, Tricon are delighted to see that the true power of the methodology is beginning to be realised and the many benefits are starting to be felt. First Things First: BIM is not Revit Although often used interchangeably BIM and Revit are not the same thing; BIM stands for Building Information Modelling and is a process for creating and managing information used in a construction project. It is a methodology to improve efficiency and the way diverse teams work together. Revit is a software tool used by architects, engineers and designers as part of a BIM process. It is actually the product name for the Autodesk software package used to model a building and has been widely adopted by users who have previously used their Autocad suite. So it should be noted that other software products are available on the market. Getting Started Started in the UK in 2011 through the Government’s Construction Strategy policy paper, Tricon have led the foodservice sector from almost zero usage of BIM and Revit to a point where now approximately half of all of their work is completed using BIM. Tricon could see the benefits of using BIM and Revit early on and in 2013 took steps to lead the industry in adopting this technology as Revit was already widely in use in the USA. The substantial investments needed in both software and training meant that take up in the UK was slow and the benefits were not easily seen by all. In fact, the contractors often saw the benefits quicker than some of the Clients. To overcome this Tricon took the bold move to contact all equipment manufacturers and suppliers advising them that they would be using BIM going forward and would expect them all to do likewise. Making the Investment Tricon’s own investment was significant, taking two of their design team out of the day-to-day business to rework one of their projects from a 2D Autocad design into a 3D Revit model. This required a huge initial effort to create a set of standard equipment families as none of these existed at that time. A single item could take a full day’s work simply to create the families and in a process they christened as “Triconising” designs were created so that they were a generic standard rather than specific make and model. This made them much more flexible for future designs and projects. After 6 months of work they ended up with a Revit model for the trial project (see photo v model image below) and now have around 3000 items and families of items that were used both on the project they were remodelling but more importantly on future projects waiting to be designed. Multiple benefits become apparent As BIM became more widely used key benefits began to emerge and contractors began to push the methodology themselves as they recognised that significant time savings could be made during the construction or fit out on projects as well as efficiencies in project management costs. Some of the Contractors have calculated there are approximately 33% less coordination meetings required on site with a BIM project when compared to a non BIM one. 3D modelling techniques also allowed designers to overcome issues such as clash detection which was traditionally a major cause of delays during a site build. Tools such as Revit will inform the designer if and where a clash will occur as different services and layers are added to the project’s design. BIM Levels 0, 1 and 2 Since Tricon first began using BIM they have progressed through the various levels to reach BIM level 2 compliance. BIM level 0 is essentially 2D hand drawings distributed in paper or electronic format where the lead consultant compares each layout to identify any coordination issues, the whole industry moved well past this level with the introduction of AutoCAD; BIM level 1 is where the drawings are produced in an electronic format and can be overlaid to identify coordination issues significantly enhancing collaboration between the various parties involved in the project. BIM Level 2 is where the design is developed as a 3D model and there is a Common Data Environment is in place with naming conventions for information are agreed in common formats so that all information can be shared and interrogated by all parties involved in the design. There are also elements of improved Health & Safety in the design as well as greatly improving the information available for Facilities Managers as every element within the design is documented fully within the model. Everyone working at Tricon has now received Revit and BIM training as do all new starters within their first 6 months. Adapting to the changes is not just a matter of retraining CAD operatives as this is just one aspect of the model. All members of the project team need to understand it and the new terminology that accompanies it. Data Sharing Having completed their project modelling exercise, Tricon shared the information with CESA and manufacturers started to approach Tricon to ask how they were handling BIM on their projects. By sharing their data with the industry, Tricon were able to help speed up the process of adoption and they now estimate 80-90% of manufacturers are on board. Significant Benefits Although it has been a major investment both in time and money, approaching half of Tricon’s work is now under BIM and real benefits are being seen. For example better quality designs are achieved in the same timeframe as clashes are detected quickly; 3D design walkthroughs can be arranged for non technical clients such as chefs who may struggle to fully appreciate a design from a 2D CAD layout. In one recent project,
3D Repo is celebrating award success having scooped two honours at the Construction Computing Awards. Presented with the ‘Cloud Technology of 2018’ award for its digital construction platform, 3D Repo, as part of the I3P consortium with partners Atkins, Balfour Beatty and Mott MacDonald among others, also achieved ‘Health and Safety Software of 2018’ for the newly released SafetiBase risk tracking feature. “These awards offer recognition for the significant developments we have introduced in 2018,” commented Dr Jozef Dobos, CEO and founder of 3D Repo. “To win Cloud Technology of the year in a sector that embraces cloud-based software, and where some of the largest players already have a cloud-first strategy, is a major achievement and one that we will build on in 2019.” “SafetiBase, part of the latest version of our BIM platform, offers a collaborative way to share and use Health and Safety information and project risks, associating them directly to the model,” continued Dobos. “It is currently being trialled on some landmark projects so to get recognition with this Health and Safety Software award is enormously encouraging.” 3D Repo was presented with the two awards by the Construction Computing Awards Master of Ceremonies Chris Cowdrey, former England cricket captain, at a black tie event on the 15th November. Attended by more than 200 BIM and digital construction industry professionals, the ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu, Portman Square, London. SafetiBase is a cloud-based repository which uses existing best of breed solutions, including 3D Repo’s award-winning BIM platform, to improve risk management. Supported by a consortium of leading innovators in the infrastructure sector, including Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Mott MacDonald, Laing O’Rourke, Costain, Bentley, HS2, Tideway, Innovate UK through the Knowledge Transfer Network and I3P, SafetiBase conforms to the newly published specification for ‘collaborative sharing and use of structured health and safety information using BIM’ (Publicly Available Specification PAS 1192-6). 3D Repo’s cloud based BIM platform allows users to access the latest 3D models and make real-time changes and informed decisions online. Often described as an online knowledge base, the 3D Repo platform is different from other collaboration tools as it uses a component-based database – meaning that information is live, useful and accessible throughout the entire project lifecycle. New users are being encouraged to try the 3D Repo platform, complete with SafetiBase, with a free starter account at www.3drepo.org
ISG has further demonstrated its commitment to maximising technology to drive operational efficiencies by securing a BIM Level 2 accreditation for its collaborative, dynamic delivery of projects using digital construction techniques. The global construction services company was awarded the BSI Kitemark for its BIM Level 2 certification to PAS1192:2-2013 and BS1192:4. The accreditation refers specifically to project delivery, where graphical data, non-graphical data and documents, known collectively as the project information model (PIM), are accumulated from design and construction activities. Mark Norton, ISG’s head of BIM, said: “In the last few years, we have seen a seismic shift in our clients’ understanding of BIM and the processes involved with using digital construction techniques. “This BSI Kitemark shows our commitment to implementing the technology in all our design, build and fit-out contracts and recognises that we have the robust processes and protocols to manage and utilise data in the correct way. “BIM is flexible enough to be used across multiple applications and enhances our construction and fit-out expertise to deliver better, smarter and more innovative buildings. Gaining the BIM Level 2 certification also means we can provide assurances to our supply chain that we are fully equipped to deliver a comprehensive range and value of public sector and private sector contracts with maximum efficiency.” The use of BIM has grown exponentially in the UK construction sector and Level 2 accreditation became a recommended requirement for companies wishing to tender for centrally-procured UK government contracts, in April 2016. Since then, the industry has adopted the technology to provide better collaboration on projects and meet the demands of technology-driven buildings. BIM Level 2 accreditation was issued to ISG by BSI following an assessment of process and project delivery which includes client satisfaction, collaborative engagement with the supply chain and a progressive training regime.
In the past, if you wanted to buy or sell a property the only option was to go through a high-street estate agent. Sellers were willing to pay thousands for an agent to take control of the process and guide them through each step. Yet recently, new technology and a general shift to a do-it-yourself attitude has changed all that, with many people now turning to online agents to buy and sell property, drawn by the advantages of greater control and much lower costs. Online agents have expanded the range of services they provide, with the aim of adding a personal touch which many had criticised them for lacking. But why are some people still reluctant to make the switch from the high-street to the internet? The biggest selling point of online agents compared to high-street agents is the lower price point. High street agents tend to work on commission with an average of 2% of the sale, so for example, that’s the equivalent of £8,000 on a £400,000 property. In contrast, online agents have a fixed fee, usually around £300, sometimes going a little above this depending on the package. Popular online agents include eMoov, who charge £395 and My Online Estate Agent, who charge £325. Online agents also tend to be more flexible with payments, often having an option to pay a small amount upfront and the balance on completion. What’s interesting here is that despite the great difference in price, online and high-street agents use the same marketing tools. Zoopla, Rightmove and other property portals are favourites with several of the top high-street and online agents. Serious buyers will be checking these same websites regardless of whether the advert came from a high street or online agent. Ultimately, this shows online agencies offer the same ability to reach thousands of potential buyers but in a much cheaper way. So, you may be wondering, what’s the catch? Well, many people highly value face-to-face interaction when making large transactions (often the largest they will ever be personally involved in). Sellers value building rapport with agents, making them feel like the agent fully understands the qualities of their property and unique circumstances. High-street agents take full control of all processes from conducting viewings, carrying out negotiations and monitoring the sales process. A lot of the lower-priced online agents don’t offer these services and many people are uncomfortable with doing these themselves. Another distinction between the services offered is the connection that high-street agents have with the local market, which online agents lack. Local knowledge is, arguably, one of the greatest advantages of a traditional high street estate agent. High-street agents will know what sells in your area, what the pricing should be, and may know potential buyers looking for your property. The reality is that some people find it too risky to conduct the biggest financial transaction of their lives online without consulting an experienced professional, even if it means saving money. Purplebricks was one of the first online agents to successfully realise that for online agents to truly succeed, a face-to-face, local element needed to be added. Purplebricks provide a network of TrustPilot-rated local experts to offer advice, liaise on offers and conduct viewings (for an extra flat fee of £300) and several other online agents such as YOPA and Easyproperty have added this element to their online platform. This has meant that services traditionally only delivered by high-street agents are now accessible via an online platform and you can save a lot of money while not losing that personal touch. Buying and selling a property can get quite complicated, particularly if you don’t choose the right agent to guide you through the process (or even go it alone online!) and the same applies to managing a rental property. Like buying and selling a property, the process of property management has been transformed by the internet, simplifying what was once complicated. Using the right property management tool could make your life easier and save you a lot of time and money. Luckily there are a range of cloud-based property management software providers that offer great tools at a great price. Platforms such as Arthur Online provide new cloud-based technology, enabling property managers to respond instantly and solve problems fast from anywhere in the world, be it with tenants, contractors, property owners or letting agents. Processes are simplified into one single platform, with a suite of apps available to use at any time of the day. Arthur Online also provides an important personal touch, with excellent customer support to help you at any time. Marc Trup is the Founder and CEO of Arthur Online After selling his business to BUPA in 1998, Marc started investing in rental properties in London. Over the next 15 years Marc grew his portfolio to over 85 properties. While successful, self-managing his portfolio became increasingly difficult. With technological advances and greater connectivity, he assumed there was software available that would allow him to manage his business from his smart phone, while sipping espresso at the local coffee shop. Following a long search, he found that nothing quite cut the mustard. So being an entrepreneur, he started Arthur Online to make not only his life easier, but also that of other property managers. Arthur Online is a cloud-based platform that enables property managers to respond instantly and solve problems fast from anywhere in the world, be it with tenants, contractors, property owners or letting agents. Since launching in 2015, it has helped thousands of property managers like Marc run their portfolios in the cheapest, most efficient way possible by using the full potential of new technology and cloud computing. Start your free trial today by going to www.arthuronline.co.uk
A series of five, two-day Building Information Modelling training courses has been launched by ceda, developed in conjunction with The BIM Academy and Northumbria University. Initially offered to ceda Members, the uptake has been incredibly positive therefore more course will be organised for both Members and non-members. “As with everything we do, these courses have been developed as a direct result of need from Members. We have spent the last few months devising and developing and we’re thrilled to be able to offer these courses to our Members and the wider industry. The uptake has been fantastic and we will be running further courses,” explained ceda Director General, Adam Mason. Designed for those within the foodservice sector and those involved in design and collaborating on BIM-enabled projects, the course aims to increase their knowledge of BIM processes and software skills. Even though there will be an introduction to BIM, some pre-existing knowledge is assumed. Experience of 2D CAD and/or 3D modelling would be beneficial but is not essential. No prior experience of Revit is necessary. The course will equip delegates with an understanding of the key aspects of Level 2 BIM processes and how these impact on those working in the foodservice industry, and experience and skills using BIM software in the context of the foodservice sector. The current Dates & Locations: 15th and 16th October – Newcastle – FULL 5th and 6th November – Academy Leasing, Warrington – 2 SPACES AVAILABLE 12th and 13th November – Welbilt, Sheffield – 4 SPACES AVAILABLE 22nd and 23rd November – Electrolux, Luton – FULL 6th and 7th December – Bristol – FULL Feedback from the first course in Newcastle has already been received and the majority of delegates rated their understanding of BIM prior to the course as poor, compared with good afterwards. Places are limited to a maximum of 10 delegates per course and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
