More than half of the first 1000 customers who were invited to move to the new Calico Connect app have done so within the first week of its rollout.
This follows a successful pilot with an initial group of around 100 customers in early November 2024.
The Calico Connect app, from OptusApp, is designed to improve communication and create a better customer experience. Features include:
- Reporting Repairs: Customers can easily log and track repair requests, as well as booking repair appointments for plumbing, joinery, gas, and electric works
- 2-Way Messaging: Easy communication between customers and Calico Homes
- Rent Account Management and Payments: Customers can view their rent balances and make payments directly through the app, making it easier to manage their rent account.
More features will be added to the app in the coming weeks, including :
- Reporting anti-social behaviour (ASB)
- Booking appointments for more types of repairs
- Making a complaint
- Completing online surveys
Recognising the diverse backgrounds of Calico’s customers, the app also includes support for six languages: English, Urdu, Polish, Kurdish, Farsi, and Arabic, with more to be added in the coming months.
Helen Thompson, Deputy Chief Executive at Calico Homes, said: “This is such a positive start for us to see so many customers are already onboard. As the app continues to develop, we’re well on the way to our customers being able to access our services 24 hours a day.
“Whilst we know an app isn’t for everyone, for those customers who chose to contact us online, it’s able to provide a better customer experience. They can be reassured that we’re getting the basics right.
“Most importantly, it will free up our teams to improve our service offer for those customers whose issues may be more complex or who will benefit from us spending more time with them face-to-face.”
Gerry Kelly, CEO of OptusApp, added: “Customers know what they want, and with the smartphone as the device of choice, they really appreciate an intuitive, powerful and resident-centric solution such as Calico Connect”
Following a strong start, Calico Homes plans to continue promoting the app and future updates to further support its customers.
Find out more here: https://calicohomes.org.uk/calico-connect/
