CIO 100: Barfoot and Thompson

REAL ESTATE COMPANY Barfoot Thompson is adeptly using digital platforms and cloud based technologies to provide better systems for both staff and customers.

“In past years our digital focus was delivery of new system features and designs. Now our digital focus is meeting customer expectations and delivering a great customer experience,” says Barfoot Thompson CIO Simon Casey.

Casey singles out a mobile app that he and his team worked on as having provided the biggest impact to the enterprise.

The app – which runs on iPhone, iPad and Android devices – allows residential salespeople to work effectively with customers, says Casey.

Like most organisations expanding digital channels, user experience was one of the top components it focused on. The app provides intuitive features, and helps users refi ne their searches.

“The app also integrates saved searches and favourite properties with barfoot.co.nz.” Casey heads a 22-member IT team who work with around 2,356 users.

This year will be a busy year for the team as the ICT department will see a budget rise in parallel with project numbers.

He says other major projects that they will work on are CRM for residential salespeople, website, and replacement of the core system running the business around providing Body Corporate services.

Casey says major investments will continue in the areas of business intelligence and analytics, mobile technology, application modernisation and website development.

The team will also be working on new and innovative technologies around mobile functionality, iBeacons, KPI mobile dashboard, social advertising, and customer experience.

He says agility/speed of deployment for business technology projects and lack of skilled staff are among the challenges that the ICT team will face this year.