tf. facility

The Technology Forge at PCS Expo 18th - 19th October

We are pleased to announce that for the third year running, we will be exhibiting at PCS Expo (Property Computer Show). The event, the biggest property event of its kind, will be held on 18th to 19th October at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. This year’s show sees The Technology Forge showcase its significantly expanded range of new products to reaffirm its commitment to core markets.

tf. facility lite is ideal for organisations seeking a powerful, flexible and proven system to manage smaller property portfolios. tf. cadutility is invaluable for efficiently manipulating data in AutoCAD drawings as well as printing to a web format for viewing. tf. cleaning perceptibly enhances the managing of cleaning services whilst reducing the turnaround time on contract variations by over 80%. Updates to schedules can be done through the web, hand held devices or AutoCAD drawings. tf. decent homes significantly increases the quality of data collection whilst reducing project timescales. Web and handheld enabled, this product is very flexible, allowing surveys to be tailored to particular contracts. Additional web enabled products include web based Suitability and Project Management fully integrated to our core product, tf. facility.

The Technology Forge at EBDOG Conference 3rd - 4th November

As a key EBDOG partner, The Technology Forge is pleased to support the next EBDOG Conference in Blackpool in November. For many years now, we have provided the Education Building & Development Officers internet discussion forum. EBDOG gives building and development officers, normally working within the confines of their own LEA, the opportunity to discuss the impact of proposed DfES initiatives and share knowledge and ideas.

Conferences are held twice yearly, usually in May and November.  Each conference, organised and hosted by one of the member LEAs, includes the sharing and discussion of policy developments with the DfES, workshops on matters of specific interest and local school visits. Blackpool City Council is hosting the next conference on November 3rd - 4th at the Imperial Hotel, North Promenade, Blackpool and will focus on the 'Every Child Matters' initiative.

The Technology Forge will be showcasing its Online DFC and Online Suitability web products which it recently developed in partnership with EBDOG members Surrey County Council. These tf. web modules were recently launched in Surrey schools and are playing a key role in improving school development planning. Online DFC makes schools' Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) history available to schools online whilst Online Suitability allows the LEA or schools to carry out and submit suitability assessments over the internet. David Groves of Surrey County Council says of the project: "It's allowed us to help schools help themselves, and ensure DFC is effectively used to improve building management. It’s helping us keep all of our other AMP data up to date as schools finish projects."

For more information contact:
Maria Thewlis, Marketing Manager, The Technology Forge, Tel: 01943 855014 or visit the EBDOG website at www.bgfl.org/services/ebdog.

The Technology Forge Holds Another Stirling Event

Andy Ross, Hyde Harrington addresses the Delegates.

‘Driving Your Asset/Estates Management Plans Forward’ – this was the focus of The Technology Forge’s third Scottish AMP seminar which was held on 13th September at the Stirling Highland Hotel. The event has grown year on year with subscription up 50% from last year. 32 Property, Asset and Estates Managers took part, representing 14 Scottish Local Authorities from across the country.

The purpose of the day was not just to to demonstrate how TF software can aid the AMP process. It was a unique opportunity to see where authorities are, a few years down the line. It’s fair to say that Scottish authorities are not as far down the AMP road as their English counterparts. These invaluable insights into asset management were given by David Groves and Louise Jardella from the Education Asset Management team at Surrey County Council and Phil Conway, Business Review Manager at Southampton City Council.

Surrey County Council showed how it is working to improve building management and development in schools and how The Technology Forge’s internet products have contributed to this. Southampton City Council provided an overview of how it is tackling Corporate Suitability. Then, drawing on over 10 years experience of the market, consultants Hyde Harrington provided sound advice on the whole AMP process generally.

It was this balance of software and asset management best practice which delegates felt made the day the success it was:

‘It was good to see presentations from users as it gives us a chance to see where we're heading. tf. facility is a full package. I was impressed with the web based stuff as it tackles many problems we have’.

‘I found the presentations very good as I know England and Wales are so far ahead, it was good to see where it can lead’.

‘Very interesting and helpful in our work on AMP’.

‘We learnt alot and feel we can progress from it. I’m very busy so for me to give up a day and still say it was very good says it all’.

For more information contact:
Maria Thewlis, Marketing Manager, The Technology Forge, Tel: 01943 855014