Software Development

Bespoke Database Manages Alternative Accommodation Cases

Job Management System incorporates comprehensive planning, operator SMS messaging and generates invoices for seamless job processing.

About

The Alternative Accommodation Agency (A3) assists people who have been affected by a peril, be it fire, flood, storm damage, subsidence or building warranty claims. Martin and his team help customers (insurance policy holders) to find alternative accommodation, initially in hotels and then in short term or long term let properties.

The team at Objective has been extremely helpful in guiding us through all the various stages of design and development of our bespoke system. They have patiently listened to our requirements and have gone out of their way to understand the unusual nature of our business.
Martin Oldroyd. Managing Director, The Alternative Accommodation Agency

The Challenge

The business had outgrown its generic cloud based system. A3 needed a database, specifically bespoke database development, which is significantly more tailored to their specific requirements.

The Solution

A web database was created to enable case handlers to record all customer, client and special instructions to ascertain which services are required. Additionally, the system stores previously booked hotel and rental properties to allow ‘best matches’ based on postcode search within a designated radius.

Suppliers of products such as pet care, removals and furniture hire can also be easily matched and selected.

White Sofa And Green Plant

The Results & Benefits

  • Alerts Dashboard, colour coded red, amber & green, ensures deadlines are never missed.
  • Pre-population of fields to ensure zero re-keying of data
  • Latest status and audit trail allows full transparency for each claim.
  • Management Information reports for loss adjustors regarding total spend, average spend, average duration etc. at the click of a button

Phase 1 of this system, called ’ATHENA’, has been in operation for a couple of years. Phase 2 is now in development to incorporate the financial aspects of the business. With functionality that cleverly calculates the different types of VAT and creates and authorises invoices, A3 has a real time grasp on their margins. The next step is to integrate the system with their chosen digital accounting software, QuickBooks Online.

The Technology

The database was developed using ASP.net and SQL Server.

A neat postcode look up function was integrated, and the MI Reports have an export to excel functionality.

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