Business Chief Europe Magazine October 2016 | Page 106

FIRSTPORT
The company has invested in 1,500 Windows 10 tablets and incorporated the use of Microsoft Yammer to enable colleagues to deliver essential services and break down any potential barriers . “ Whether it ’ s inspecting a property , doing health and safety inspections , raising an order and relating to work on one of the sites of one of our developments , it ’ s about effectively making lives easier and streamlining business process ”, Thomas explains .
Through a device valuation , the company has now also adopted Lenovo Miix 700 tablets which will provide access to services such as email , collaboration and procurement , but also complement the other parts of FirstPort ’ s technology strategy . For example , as Thomas describes : “ The move to Microsoft Office 365 will provide basic tools around email and collaboration , while the roll out of SharePoint will provide a much better platform for collaboration and information management .”
We have implemented HPE Proliant Bladesystem servers with HPE 3PAR StoreServ storage at both of our data centres .
Providing digital support To support and encourage customers to utilise technology , FirstPort has become the first UK customer of Barclays Digital Eagles Initiative . The programme is aimed at strengthening the digital awareness of stakeholder champions , seconded from within FirstPort in order to provide essential training and support to colleagues and residents in areas such as internet banking and online transactions . Thomas adds : “ It ’ s easy to forget that you could have a 60-year-old lady that lives on site at a retirement property – how does she relate to FirstPort as an employer because her world is within that building , and that is why the Digital Eagles and new technology is important .”
FirstPort ’ s Digital Eagles have visited developments and reached out to residents by providing vital support and guidance , in turn increasing client engagement . FirstPort is also set to develop ‘ code playgrounds ’ ( a concept first introduced by Barclays ) which are interactive workshops designed to teach the new generation vital coding skills
106 October 2016