Company:
Howells Architects
Sector:
Architecture
Location:
London, Birmingham & Australia
Website:
Project Costing
HR
Contacts (CRM)
QA
Sage Integration
Newforma Integration
Howells Architects were one of the earliest clients to join Cubic Interactive and take on our Rapport3 software. Their spokesperson and Head of Operations, Kate Cox, admitted that initially they “lacked engagement” with the software and didn’t utilise it to its full potential in the day-to-day operations of the business. However, this lack of engagement was remedied about three or four years ago, when Howells undertook a process mapping exercise with us to see where they could get more value from the software and really maximise its functionality, which they describe as a “huge success.”
Their spokesperson continued, “We are still working through the recommendations, and as things evolve in the business Cubic has been on hand to update those recommendations with the current business needs.” As Howells Architects have seen first-hand, Rapport3 was created for and continues to be informed by the needs and demands of the AEC industry, and we are focused at all levels of the business to ensuring that every client gets the functionality they need (and more) from the software.
The client
The client
When the nation went into lockdown, many businesses struggled with the transition to remote working. Thanks to Rapport3, that transition was substantially simpler for Howells Architects. With all their data in one place thanks to R3’s streamlined interface and powerful dashboard, the whole team at Howells can track projects and manage their data with ease. As their spokesperson explained, “Having our data in one place certainly has helped during lockdown.” She also praised the benefits of R3 being a cloud-based solution; “Being cloud-based too, it was extremely easy for our staff to retain their access to the information we capture on Rapport, without the need for VPN connections.”
The ability to keep track of staff information with our HR module was also extremely helpful with managing unprecedented times and working conditions, providing Howells with the flexibility and functionality to “track who was working from home in the early stages before lockdown and also to track furlough when lockdown kicked in.”
Additionally, as with many businesses, the lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic as a whole forced Howells Architects to examine their practices and recognise any gaps in their processes, which they found solutions to with Rapport3. Their spokesperson elaborated, “COVID highlighted to us the importance of a good reporting tool. We have not been using Rapport to its full potential as we have data in too many places and a lot of our reporting is currently manual. So going through COVID has made us aware of where these gaps are and consequently we are making great steps with Rapport3’s support team to find solutions for them.”
Requirements
Requirements
Requirements
Howells Architects have built a great relationship with us thanks to our Customer Support team, which they describe as “excellent.” As their spokesperson noted, “The technical support team is very quick with their response and solutions. I have a very good relationship with Danielle, our customer service manager; she is always available to help, talk through and advise when necessary so that we always feel supported.”
Howells Architects also appreciate the value placed on customer insights, experiences and opinions when developing the Rapport3 software. We ensure that our software is always meeting the demands of the AEC industry as it develops and all proposed changes are run by our clients to gauge interest and urgency. Their spokesperson said, “ I think a unique selling point for Rapport3 is their ability to listen to their clients and use that information to influence their future business decisions. They of course know the boundaries of what they want their product to be, however, they carefully take on board tweaks and suggestions from their clients using the system and adapt and change their product if they feel it would benefit everyone going forward.”
She continued, referencing the value of our focus groups - where updates are presented to existing clients - “I've not come across a company who considers the needs of their clients as much Rapport3 [...] The focus group sessions they have organised for their future product, Rapport NG, have been a great success. It really helps to understand what like-minded companies are up to and how they process their information, as does the opportunity to be in a room together and share how we all do things. It’s incredibly valuable to share that knowledge with peers and I'm sure for Rapport3 too, to understand the pressure points and successes from each business.”
The solution
The solution