Strategic asset management for Audley Group that delivers commercial and operational value

Introduction

Audley Group has been successfully building and managing luxury integrated retirement communities (IRC’s) since 2007 and developing quality retirement properties and care services for older people since 1983.

Today, Audley’s portfolio includes 20 villages across the UK and is set to grow further in the coming decade as additional retirement homes for 250,000 older people are built nationwide by 2030.

With a large and growing portfolio, Audley needed to proactively manage the tracking and maintenance of over 40,000 physical assets, including but not limited to - CCTV cameras, intruder alarm systems, fire alarms, door entry systems, access control devices and warden call systems - across its entire estate to ensure they are in good working order and remain compliant with the latest regulatory requirements.

Without a robust process in place, managing the lifecycle of assets can be problematic. Audley needed full visibility across the lifecycle from installation through to replacement, with the ability to track incidents to completion within agreed SLAs, and manage maintenance schedules inline with compliance to ensure that assets are always in good condition.

How we did it

At TIS, our design, installation and maintenance philosophy for life safety, security and communications systems is to utilise converged systems sitting on IP infrastructure. It has become the standard specification for customers across all new-build developments, and we are gradually upgrading older villages as they need to be renewed and refurbished. The reality is that this approach is fast-becoming the go-to option for all smart, forward-thinking IRC operators who recognise the overall benefits of longer-term planning. Convergence rightly gets the plaudits for modernising and future-proofing IRCs, and its role in optimising asset management strategy is significant.

Our relationship with Audley is a well-established and successful partnership, with TIS supporting Audley as its trusted life safety and security technology partner across all of their sites for a number of years. As TIS has taken on the design and installation of Audley’s new-build developments and taken over the maintenance of existing sites that were previously managed by other contractors, we have implemented a proactive, robust and reliable approach to asset management that comes with multiple commercial and operational benefits.

Using our own asset management platform, we began by capturing and uploading all assets, including unique references for each device, indexing key information such as make, model, age, inspection date, engineer attending, expected obsolescence date, problem history and a whole lot more. A key advantage of using an asset management platform is that it can be used whether an IRC has newly installed converged infrastructure and systems, or older, obsolete technologies that will eventually need updating.

● Effective asset management improves resident satisfaction by ensuring all systems, technologies and devices are well-maintained, are in good condition and do what they’re expected to do when required.
● By tracking and maintaining all assets, Audley can identify areas to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
● Knowing what assets exist, where they are and their operating history ensures that all legal and regulatory requirements are met, helping to avoid costly
incidents, fines and penalties. With a comprehensive process in place, Audley is able to anticipate issues and stay ahead of the regulatory curve.
● A solid approach to safety and security via a robust service and maintenance schedule helps to enhance and maintain Audley’s reputation as a market-leading IRC operator.
● Keeping its systems and devices well-maintained and in good condition reduces maintenance costs and potential issues can be identified before they become major problems.
● Regular maintenance schedules and tracking asset usage means Audley can be sure devices are being used efficiently and effectively, reducing wear and tear and extending their lifespan.
● Having a better understanding of its assets, their age and their position within the asset lifecycle replacement programme allows for better financial planning and budgeting across Audley’s portfolio, reducing the risk of unexpected expenses and improving overall cost of ownership over time.
● With business intelligence data on hand, Audley can see where upgrading a single asset might end up costing significantly more in comparison to replacing the infrastructure as a whole, helping to maximise value and plan strategically.