At the Property Council of Australia's recent Ageing of Aquarius II Conference, Peter McMullen, National Director for Health and Aged Care Services for Jones Lang LaSalle, presented his research paper, "Is Supply Meeting Demand or Missing the Mark?"
McMullen says that Australia's rapidly ageing population has resulted in an abundance of retirement village development opportunities across the nation. "To meet this surge in demand, it is predicted that up to 140,000 new dwellings in retirement villages are needed over the next 15 years, equating to an investment of about $42 billion (in 2008 dollars) in new construction,"
he says.
He also found that Retirement Village living is also becoming more accepted as participation rates are continuing to increase. "At present, approximately 5.25 percent of the over-65 population live in retirement villages, a significant increase from the 3 to 3.5 percent benchmark from only eight or nine years ago."
At present, there are more than 500 new villages with more than 51,000 new units either proposed, approved or under construction. In existing villages, another 20,7000 new units are either proposed, approved or under construction.
McMullen believes that, "despite the current softening in market sentiment in all property classes, the long-term future of the Retirement Village industry is secure with significant opportunity for investment."
For more information, see the full article in the November Edition of "Property Australia".
More information on the Ageing of Aquarius Conference is also available via the Property Council's website - http://www.propertycouncil.com.au/retirement/
13 November, 2008
27 October, 2008
Visual Evolution 2008 a success for Corda Technologies
Corda Technologies annual four-day Visual Evolution conference brought together executive dashboard and data visualisation users, developers, prospects and partners, along with industry leaders from around the globe, including Zavanti’s own Corda Developer, Jason Marshall.
Wayne Eckerson, author of “Performance Dashboards: Measuring, Monitoring, and Managing Your Business” was the keynote speaker for the event. Wayne is also the Director of Education and Research for The Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI). Other industry expert speakers included Ron Powell, Co-founder of The Business Intelligence Network, and Peter Traynor, Editor in Chief, Dashboard Insight.
Corda’s expert Dashboard Technologists delivered presentations on CenterView™, PopChart®, OptiMap™ and Highwire™, giving best practices for all levels of users and developers. In addition, participants attended sessions to learn how to create attractive dashboards, extend the dashboard interface, transform data from data funnels, and to explore best practices in choosing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). They also participated in round table discussions, where they had the opportunity to learn from other users and developers, as well as case studies from leading industry executives.
The Data Visualisation Lounge was a new feature this year, here attendees could practice the tips and tricks learned at the conference, see how other customers are visualising business intelligence, or work on their own dashboard projects - with the help of expert Dashboard Technologists from Corda.
“Visual Evolution continues to be a terrific success as our signature annual event,” said John Purvis, CEO and president of Corda. “The world’s best minds in data visualisation, business performance management, and performance dashboards gather together to learn about and successively refine what it means to truly manage performance.”
Click here to access the session presentations from the event
Wayne Eckerson, author of “Performance Dashboards: Measuring, Monitoring, and Managing Your Business” was the keynote speaker for the event. Wayne is also the Director of Education and Research for The Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI). Other industry expert speakers included Ron Powell, Co-founder of The Business Intelligence Network, and Peter Traynor, Editor in Chief, Dashboard Insight.
Corda’s expert Dashboard Technologists delivered presentations on CenterView™, PopChart®, OptiMap™ and Highwire™, giving best practices for all levels of users and developers. In addition, participants attended sessions to learn how to create attractive dashboards, extend the dashboard interface, transform data from data funnels, and to explore best practices in choosing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). They also participated in round table discussions, where they had the opportunity to learn from other users and developers, as well as case studies from leading industry executives.
The Data Visualisation Lounge was a new feature this year, here attendees could practice the tips and tricks learned at the conference, see how other customers are visualising business intelligence, or work on their own dashboard projects - with the help of expert Dashboard Technologists from Corda.
“Visual Evolution continues to be a terrific success as our signature annual event,” said John Purvis, CEO and president of Corda. “The world’s best minds in data visualisation, business performance management, and performance dashboards gather together to learn about and successively refine what it means to truly manage performance.”
Click here to access the session presentations from the event
21 October, 2008
New Operational KPIs and Performance Management Report
A recent report by Aberdeen and Corda Technologies, has found that adoption of Operational Performance Management capabilities has improved customer satisfaction rates of Best-in-Class companies by more than 4.5x that of industry average companies.
The report, “Operational KPIs and Performance Management”, has revealed that Best-in-Class (BIC) companies – those performing in the top 20% of all research survey respondents – have taken multiple approaches to improving their operational performance through the establishment and management of operational key performance indicators (KPIs).
The report found that the areas for operational performance upon which Best-in-Class companies are more likely to focus their efforts are:
Customer performance - Including metrics for customer satisfaction, customer issue resolution speed, customer issue resolution accuracy, and customer retention rate
Service performance - Including metrics for first call resolution rate, service renewal rate, rate of compliance to SLAs, delivery performance to customer, and product return rate
Sales operations - Including metrics for new pipeline accounts identified, meetings secured, conversion of inquiries to leads, average call closure time, and dials completed per hour, shift, and day
Financial operations - Including metrics for price to purchase order accuracy, purchase order fulfillment ratio, quantity earned (revenue can be recognised), forecast to plan ratio, and total closed contracts
Click here to access the full report
The report, “Operational KPIs and Performance Management”, has revealed that Best-in-Class (BIC) companies – those performing in the top 20% of all research survey respondents – have taken multiple approaches to improving their operational performance through the establishment and management of operational key performance indicators (KPIs).
The report found that the areas for operational performance upon which Best-in-Class companies are more likely to focus their efforts are:
Customer performance - Including metrics for customer satisfaction, customer issue resolution speed, customer issue resolution accuracy, and customer retention rate
Service performance - Including metrics for first call resolution rate, service renewal rate, rate of compliance to SLAs, delivery performance to customer, and product return rate
Sales operations - Including metrics for new pipeline accounts identified, meetings secured, conversion of inquiries to leads, average call closure time, and dials completed per hour, shift, and day
Financial operations - Including metrics for price to purchase order accuracy, purchase order fulfillment ratio, quantity earned (revenue can be recognised), forecast to plan ratio, and total closed contracts
Click here to access the full report
12 October, 2008
Loans a developing problem for construction industry
By Anthony Klan, The Australian (October 10th)
This recent article highlights the issues that developers and builders are facing as they attempt to borrow money during the current financial crisis.
Monarch Investment’s Chief Executive, Peter Icklow advised that, "The whole process of getting finance is now taking twice or three times as long as it was before the credit crisis".
He added that, borrowing problems were exacerbated for developers because the confluence of falling property prices and high taxes meant many projects were now unviable, forcing many developers out of the market, and intensifying the housing shortage.
Chief Executive of the Master Builders Association, Wilhelm Harnisch, said many builder members were also being turned away by lenders.
"Even some of our biggest building members, despite having been major clients of the major banks for many years, are now being told there is just not enough money to go around," Harnisch explained.
To read the full article click here
This recent article highlights the issues that developers and builders are facing as they attempt to borrow money during the current financial crisis.
Monarch Investment’s Chief Executive, Peter Icklow advised that, "The whole process of getting finance is now taking twice or three times as long as it was before the credit crisis".
He added that, borrowing problems were exacerbated for developers because the confluence of falling property prices and high taxes meant many projects were now unviable, forcing many developers out of the market, and intensifying the housing shortage.
Chief Executive of the Master Builders Association, Wilhelm Harnisch, said many builder members were also being turned away by lenders.
"Even some of our biggest building members, despite having been major clients of the major banks for many years, are now being told there is just not enough money to go around," Harnisch explained.
To read the full article click here
09 October, 2008
Are you getting immediate value from your ERP system?
ERP systems are designed to integrate business information and processes within an organisation, facilitating real-time planning and management. However, despite their power, the software doesn’t always deliver.
Linda L. Briggs in association with TDWI (The Data Warehousing Institute™) talks with Jim Heatherington, managing director of Cutwater, a provider of decision support software for mid-market distributors and manufacturers, about why so many businesses have trouble getting real value from their ERP systems, and offers some possible solutions.
Read the full article online here
Linda L. Briggs in association with TDWI (The Data Warehousing Institute™) talks with Jim Heatherington, managing director of Cutwater, a provider of decision support software for mid-market distributors and manufacturers, about why so many businesses have trouble getting real value from their ERP systems, and offers some possible solutions.
Read the full article online here
27 August, 2008
Zavanti August Newsletter
Our latest Zavanti Connection enewsletter is now available online.
In this edition read about the recent Property Council Congress, which we were pleased to be a part of, the latest release of Corda CentreView 3.1, our new resellers in the UK and our membership of the Master Builder's Association (MBA).
Click Here to read online
In this edition read about the recent Property Council Congress, which we were pleased to be a part of, the latest release of Corda CentreView 3.1, our new resellers in the UK and our membership of the Master Builder's Association (MBA).
Click Here to read online
18 August, 2008
Time for an Accounting System Overhaul?
In a recent IT Showcase News article, two leading UK Construction Software providers, RedSky IT and EasyBuild, presented their opinions as to why companies in the building and property development sector should look into an accounting system overhaul. We believe this is a significant issue considering today’s volatile economic climate, which is forcing many organisations to look at managing and tracking their business processes and costs more effectively.
Like RedSky IT and EasyBuild, we at Zavanti have found that most organisations usually have a core accounts system, which runs the ledgers and payroll, captures contract costs and maybe handles purchase order processing. In addition, they often have several other standalone systems providing Feasibility Analysis, Estimating and Valuations, as well as numerous Excel Spreadsheets.
However, more and more companies are coming to realise that using several different systems patched together is not the way forward. These organisations and are now looking at making the move to integrated systems which cover the complete construction and development lifecycle; from Feasibility and Estimating, through to Subcontract Tendering and Management, Purchase Orders, and Stock and Sales Management, as well as traditional backend Financials and Payroll.
There are many benefits to be gained from moving to a complete end-to-end business solution, which pulls the traditional banks of data that exist in separate departments together, from better decision making, increased operational efficiency and resource utilisation. A clear return on investment will also be achieved from a reduction in overheads and support fees.
EasyBuild advise that success can bring its own challenges. As you become established and your order book grows you need to know that you don’t have to worry about managing your accounts and that you can still maintain control and access to your key business information.
In addition, with tougher rules around financial compliance the connection between technology and business has never been stronger or more important. Integrated financial software systems are bringing greater levels of control and automation and audit ability to business processes.
EasyBuild argue that standard accounting systems have never been good at monitoring the leading operational indicators that drive profit. For this reason an industry specific solution that is aligned to these indicators should be considered to get the maximum benefit from your investment. Accurate financial information is critical to the decision making process and without the aid of a robust financial software system this is difficult to achieve.
Both RedSkyIT and EasyBuild conclude that technology is here to stay and businesses large and small should use it to their advantage. If you are a company with public sector or large corporate organisations as customers, the need to change is more significant as you could potentially be excluded from their supplier’s lists due to an inability to do business electronically.
Like RedSky IT and EasyBuild, we at Zavanti have found that most organisations usually have a core accounts system, which runs the ledgers and payroll, captures contract costs and maybe handles purchase order processing. In addition, they often have several other standalone systems providing Feasibility Analysis, Estimating and Valuations, as well as numerous Excel Spreadsheets.
However, more and more companies are coming to realise that using several different systems patched together is not the way forward. These organisations and are now looking at making the move to integrated systems which cover the complete construction and development lifecycle; from Feasibility and Estimating, through to Subcontract Tendering and Management, Purchase Orders, and Stock and Sales Management, as well as traditional backend Financials and Payroll.
There are many benefits to be gained from moving to a complete end-to-end business solution, which pulls the traditional banks of data that exist in separate departments together, from better decision making, increased operational efficiency and resource utilisation. A clear return on investment will also be achieved from a reduction in overheads and support fees.
EasyBuild advise that success can bring its own challenges. As you become established and your order book grows you need to know that you don’t have to worry about managing your accounts and that you can still maintain control and access to your key business information.
In addition, with tougher rules around financial compliance the connection between technology and business has never been stronger or more important. Integrated financial software systems are bringing greater levels of control and automation and audit ability to business processes.
EasyBuild argue that standard accounting systems have never been good at monitoring the leading operational indicators that drive profit. For this reason an industry specific solution that is aligned to these indicators should be considered to get the maximum benefit from your investment. Accurate financial information is critical to the decision making process and without the aid of a robust financial software system this is difficult to achieve.
Both RedSkyIT and EasyBuild conclude that technology is here to stay and businesses large and small should use it to their advantage. If you are a company with public sector or large corporate organisations as customers, the need to change is more significant as you could potentially be excluded from their supplier’s lists due to an inability to do business electronically.
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