60 second interview with Stephen Purvis, CEO of OnBoard Pro “Use of technology within the private rented sector”

To what extent do you think the private rented sector have used technology to improve service delivery?

In comparison to other sectors, letting agents and private landlords have been driven by market changes, primarily the launch of online property portals.  The launch of Rightmove was clearly a game changing event but agents could be making more use of business process automation and viewing the tenancy or sale lifecycle from the customer’s perspective.  In 2015 consumers have high service expectations, they desire self-service wherever possible and want to be kept informed at all stages of any process.  Technology can achieve this within the private rented sector, but it is not a replacement for human interaction in such an emotional transaction.

What views do tenants have on technology usage?

We commissioned an independent survey by Populus, which showed a very polarised response.  When asked whether further regulation or increased use of technology would best aid the tenancy process, a resounding 61% of tenants stated that they would prefer to see better use of technology.  When probed further, there is a particular desire for the ability to participate in the process from home using their own mobile and tablet devices.

OnBoard Pro makes use of technology, but what makes it different from other property software providers?

Firstly, we come from a strong technology background and have a permanent full-time in house development team.  Secondly, we have bespoke and protected technology that performs tenant scoring and referencing using advanced machine learning technology that is ahead of anything else in the industry; providers relying solely or mainly on a credit score are not leveraging technology.  Thirdly, we invest heavily in continuous research and development that uses focus groups of real world letting agents.  We don’t pretend to know this industry better than our customers, and technology must be driven by end user requirements if it is to succeed.

What future technology are you working on now?

Without giving away too much about patent pending development, we are approaching completion of linking the search for property with the application for tenancy; joining the entire process for the first time.  We continue to invest heavily in integrating with existing portfolio management software, and into the concept of transferable tenant passports verified with biometric authentication.

How can people find out more about OnBoard Pro?

We’d love you to call us on 08452 26 26 06, visit the website at www.onboardpro.co.uk or email info@onboardpro.co.uk.