Fira elevates pipe renovations with Congrid and HomeRun integration
Interpretation errors due to manual errors are reduced when the message is passed on to the site as the customer has expressed it. There is no chance of a so-called ‘broken phone’
Jenna Kinnunen
Fira
At the center of Fira’s pipe renovation projects is customers
Pipe renovations in apartment buildings are significant and often stressful events for residents. Strangers entering their homes and large expenses can disrupt daily life, making a smooth process essential.
Finnish construction company Fira Rakennus Oy has been a leader in prioritizing customer service and experience in pipe renovation projects.
For our customers, a pipe renovation is a major investment filled with uncertainties about what happens and when. Comprehensive information and service are our ways of making this as easy as possible,” explains Taina Parikka, Fira’s Service Manager.
User-friendly software brings peace of mind to end customers and eliminates hours of unnecessary work
HomeRun, a software company specializing in repair construction, has been Fira’s partner for project communication and materials procurement since the early 2010s. Product Development Director Heikki Niskanen from HomeRun understands the communication needs of residents.
“When a pipe renovation is announced, emotions can run high, and even small issues can escalate. Good communication can bring a lot of peace of mind,” says Niskanen.
Parikka emphasizes the need for digital tools to be clear and straightforward, given the diverse user base.
“Our users range from employees to consumer customers aged 18 to 100. Not everyone is an engineer or IT expert,” Parikka notes.
Quick learning and adoption of software are crucial due to the large number of users at Fira. “Training for complex software can be laborious, but HomeRun’s basic functions can be learned in just a 10-minute tutorial,” Parikka says.
Fira’s management has utilized Congrid software for quality control, safety measurements, and work supervision. In 2020, the decision was made to integrate HomeRun and Congrid interfaces to streamline the transfer of customer communication to the construction site.
“Previously, residents used paper forms to note repair needs, which site managers then entered into Congrid system. This manual process was time-consuming and prone to errors,” Parikka illustrates.
With the integration, customer entries transfer digitally from HomeRun to Congrid, significantly reducing manual work. Parikka estimates this saves several hours per project.
Additionally, digital entries eliminate uncertainties and extra clarification work due to various handwriting and expression styles.
“Residents can now track online when their repair requests are being processed and completed,” Parikka adds.
Parikka praises HomeRun’s personalized service and developmental approach.
“HomeRun invites different construction industry stakeholders to workshops twice a year to share development suggestions. These suggestions are then scheduled for implementation, involving industry companies in the process, which I greatly appreciate,” she concludes.
