Construction projects across the East Midlands are benefitting from the latest innovative software, thanks to Firefly and empa – the East Midlands Property Alliance.
After recognising a gap in the market for a cloud-based project management tool for multiple partner projects, ex-local authority employee Richard Ratcliffe set up Firefly Online Ltd to help streamline public-funded construction projects.
Richard has used his past experience to set-up the software business and empa has been working closely with him to ensure the scheme benefits public sector construction schemes across the wider East Midlands.
The aim of empa, which was formed by local authorities in the East Midlands and is managed by Scape, is to improve the procurement and delivery of construction projects and property maintenance for public sector bodies saving time and money for them and in turn for council taxpayers.
empa has a range of framework contractors including G F Tomlinson, Ashe Construction, Morgan Sindall, Wates, Lindum, Interserve, Clegg Construction, Robert Woodhead and Jeakins Weir which deliver projects across the wider region.
Richard Ratcliffe, founder of Firefly Online Ltd, said: “Working with Scape and empa has helped me to really refine the software to benefit everyone involved in multi-agency projects. For instance, singling out just one of the projects on the Firefly dashboard it features the empa team, 13 schools, the construction contractor and the client, a Midlands-based local authority. Our software allows all parties to filter the information that’s relevant to them in real time so they can see exactly how their projects are performing.”
Richard said that Scape and empa had helped to refine the innovative software and he added that he is now looking to support more public sector bodies across the UK.
“It’s been really helpful working with Scape and empa throughout the evolution of this software,” Richard said. “My aim was to make it easier for local authority projects, and projects funded by the taxpayer, to be managed easily and efficiently. The feedback from their teams has allowed me to refine the system so we’re in a position to offer the service further afield to support more public sector construction and social care projects, especially at a time where funding for public services is incredibly tight.”
Alan Coole, head of empa, said: “We can be managing 150 construction projects at any one time so having access to all the information we need at the click of a button really helps us to manage performance and work better with our partners and clients.
“As Firefly is a cloud-based system we don’t need to be office based to keep up to speed with our contracts, similarly our partners can get the information they need, when they need it. We’ve been able to streamline the projects and increase efficiency as a result. We’ve had great feedback from our partners and we’re delighted to have supported Firefly to further develop its software to help even more public sector organisations.”
Firefly Online Ltd is based in Grantham, Lincolnshire and has grown to more than ten employees.
empa operates across the wider East Midlands region covering city and county areas in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and in Peterborough, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire Moorlands.
