The appointment of a new Chief Executive in 2002 was the turning point for a period of significant growth at Antler Homes. It also stimulated the requirement for an integrated business reporting system where previously ad hoc regional systems had been usedlargely based on spreadsheets.

Antler Homes has offices widely spread across the UK and also in the Channel Islands. The company builds high quality apartments, townhouses, terraced, semi-detached and detached homes together with undertaking residential conversions and refurbishments.

Geoff Potton, the new Chief Executive, was previously with a larger housebuilder where he was used to integrated software reporting tools including systems from SiteStream. After selecting SiteStream to bring the same levels of corporate reporting to Antler Homes, Geoff recruited Paul Dunnell as Group IT Manager. Paul also had extensive experience of SiteStream’s systems within a major housebuilder.

A further requirement was for SiteStream’s software to drive Antler Homes’ web site with real time price and availability data for each plot on every development. This was a task ideally suited to the new web browser-based Sales module developed using the latest Microsoft.Net and XML technologies.

The system has been highly successful in automating the generation of the Group’s sales reports. Every stage of each sales transaction is entered on the system immediately allowing status reporting as it occurs. At the same time data is exported to Antler Homes’ web site using a standard XML link provided with the SiteStream system.

All our web site content is easily managed… The links offered by SiteStream enable us to provide a level of currency and detail of information not previously available.

Paul Dunnell says, “All our web site content is easily managed by Antler staff and key data is dynamically generated from the SiteStream Sales system onto the web site. This means that whenever a user visits the Antler website, they see live, up-to-date information on pricing and availability, key to providing accurate details and good customer service.”

The system has proved to be a comprehensive system for sales progression, sales reporting and forecasting. The user-friendly web browser interface is simple and cost-effective to implement and also has the potential to be used in the show house or marketing suite. Automated and comprehensive management reports monitor day-to-day sales progress as well as recording performance against targets.

Paul concludes “The Internet is now recognised as the primary research tool for prospective house purchasers and remains one of our most effective means of reaching prospective customers. The links offered by SiteStream enable us to provide a level of currency and detail of information not previously available.”