Scottish property maintenance and building services firm, Prater Contracts, has developed an innovative app to boost productivity by 70%.

The family-run company, which was able to develop the app after being awarded The Digital Development Loan, works on a broad range of projects for insurance companies, including Aviva.

Developed by Glasgow-based Lawlor Technologies, the bespoke app will enable company surveyors to identify and specify necessary work – helping to boost the speed and efficiency of the firm’s operations.

Users are able to record the tasks, labour and materials required to complete on-site activities, with recorded data being instantly shared with management systems at its North Lanarkshire head office.

Workflow Improvements

Prater has undergone significant growth in the past several years which has seen the company move into a larger, purpose-built office two years ago. The firm has also increased its workforce to 40 employees, along with a dozen sub-contractors.

Stephen Prater, Director at the firm, commented: “We’ve been using the app for eight weeks now and it made a huge impact on our time management and efficiency.

“Previously, our surveyors had to manually write all the work that needed to be done, transfer it onto the client’s database…and then pull together a job sheet. Now, it’s inserted into the app on-site then transferred over, resulting in consistent job sheets and an increase in the speed of our workflow.”

Prater added: “For a company of our size to have our own app is fantastic and we couldn’t have done it without the funding from The Digital Development Loan and Chris Lawlor of Lawlor Technologies.”

“By embracing modern technology,” Prater said. “We believe we can grow even further and continue to expand.”

The Digital Development Loan is managed by Lanarkshire Enterprises Ltd (LESL). Since its launch in June 2018, hundreds of Scottish SMEs have enquired about the funding initiative, with a host having had their proposals approved.

Liz McCutcheon, Operations Manager, LESL said: “The Digital Development Loan is a fantastic source of funding for Scottish SME’s to improve their digital capabilities and ensure staff are fully trained in the latest technologies.

“Prater Contracts were one of the first companies to secure their interest-free loan and already the positive effect the App has had on their business is significant.”

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Kate Forbes, Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy added: “The Digital Development Loan was launched summer 2018 and has already proven to be popular, with almost £300,000 provided to assist SMEs in Scotland increase their digital capabilities and capacity as well as help upskill staff.  

“With another £200,000 in the pipeline we are delighted not only with the progress of the fund and its management by LESL, but also with the ambition shown by these companies to embrace digital in the workplace.”