Every two years we undertake a national survey into the use of IT by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). Surveys were conducted in 1996, 1998 and 2000. Our aim is to:
For this years survey we have collected the data using the principles of e-commerce (i.e. electronic communication links). We set up an Internet web site and invited 430 RSLs, using e-mail, to access the site to complete the questionnaire. 130 RSLs responded to the questionnaire. We sent an electronic copy of the questionnaire with the e-mail just in case RSLs could not access the web site. Two thirds of responses accessed the web site direct and the rest sent their completed questionnaire by e-mail or as a paper copy. From this process we have learnt many lessons about using e-commerce principles. After all, how can you conduct an IT survey today and not use the Internet?
Since 1996 we have observed the following trends:
We are unable to compare the IT staffing levels as this year's questionnaire was not consistently answered. From the 1998 survey we collected IT staff levels and in 2000 the most reliable information is the IT staff budget. The following table attempts to show the staffing level comparisons, assuming that, on average, one staff member costs £25,000 to employ.
RSL Size
|
1998
Average IT Staff numbers |
2000 IT
Staff Budget
£ |
2000 IT
Staff
Numbers Estimate |
Up to 499 units | 0 | 0 | 0 |
500 - 2,499 units | 1 | 32,091 | 1.25 |
2,500 - 4,999 units | 2 | 76,876 | 3 |
5,000 - 9,999 units | 4.26 | 102,670 | 4 |
10,000 + units | 10 | 240,833 | 9.6 |
Also we cannot undertake proper IT
cost comparisons over the three surveys as, for this year's survey, we have
collected actual figures, rather than ticking a range and attempted to ascertain
the true cost of IT including data communications and depreciation.
The table below shows the total costs expressed against three indicators:
RSL size
|
% turnover
|
Per unit
under management
£ |
Per installed
PC
£ |
Up to 499 units | 4.62% | 262.8 | 2,623 |
500 - 2,499 units | 5.24% | 158.5 | 4,846 |
2,500 - 4,999 units | 4.26% | 130.0 | 5,411 |
5,000 - 9,999 units | 4.95% | 116.9 | 5,082 |
10,000 + units | 4.69% | 112.5 | 4,771 |
A question we are often asked is:
how do RSLs compare to other business sectors? Comparing our survey result with
data provided by the National Computer Centre's members survey shows that shows
that RSLs are under-investing in comparison to other sectors. In terms of IT
expenditure per employee, the comparisons are:
Number of
employees
|
Average total
spend per employee
£ |
Average non-development
spend per employee
£ |
NCC survey | ||
Under 100 |
7,207
|
5,557
|
100 to 499 |
4,887
|
3,779
|
500 to 999 |
5,530
|
4,046
|
1000 to 4,999 |
4,368
|
2,792
|
RSL's | ||
0 to 499 units: average 17 staff |
2,623
|
1,924
|
500 to 2,499 units: average 37 staff |
4,846
|
3,173
|
2,500 to 4,999 units: average 97 staff |
5,411
|
3,945
|
5,000 to 9,999 units: average 159 staff |
5,082
|
2,926
|
10,000 + units: average 367 staff |
4,771
|
2,762
|
There have been significant changes in the use of IT by RSLs since 1996. However, the investment in IT is not as much compared to other sectors and RSLs are slow at introducing new technology. I wonder what the year 2002 survey will show? Perhaps we should do a bit of crystal ball gazing, put our thoughts into a sealed envelope then see who is the closest when the survey is conducted again in 2002.
A copy of the survey report is available
on this web-site to download or view here. Please
contact John Stuttard on 01132 254192 or e-mail
john_stuttard@rsmi.co.uk if you want to discuss the survey further.