Fixflo's 2024 year in review: brand new software updates, additions and more

Gemma Nettle

By Gemma Nettle

28 November 2024

As we enter the final weeks of 2024, it's tempting to look ahead to 2025. But before we do, we wanted to recap some of the major feature additions launched in Fixflo across the past year. There has been a lot of focus on ensuring our software is navigable, organised and, above all, useful in every way. 

Discover how to take advantage of everything we have to offer by learning exactly what we have been working on this year. 

Fixflos 2024 year in review

 

1. PPM changes

Certificate check on issue closure

When property managers close a service event, such as an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), they might overlook checking the associated certificates and their expiry dates. This can result in potential compliance breaches. 

We've introduced a certificate check prompt that appears whenever a planned maintenance issue is being closed. This ensures that property managers are reminded to verify the certificate before marking the issue as resolved.

 

Warning for mismatched certificate expiry dates

Another common issue relates to discrepancies between the certificate expiry date and the next scheduled event. For example, an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) might default to a five-year renewal schedule. However, due to a property’s condition, an electrician could issue a certificate valid for only three years. Previously, this mismatch was easy to miss, as the system didn't automatically show certificate details alongside the service event dates. 

Now, if the certificate expiry date differs from the next scheduled service event, the system will trigger a pop-up notification alerting the property manager to the discrepancy.

Discover more about our PPM feature changes with a closer look in our blog post.

 

2. Searching by multiple tags

You can now search using multiple tags. This small change equals a big quality-of-life update, making searching within Fixflo much more accessible and navigable. 

It means you can now filter your properties and issues in even more ways, which makes it quicker and easier to customise saved searches, create more useful dashboard panels, and find what you're looking for in Fixflo. 

Want to brush up on your Fixflo skills? Discover tagging and other vital Fixflo skills like merging and deactivating properties in the Fixflo Academy.

Want to brush up on your Fixflo skills?

Discover tagging and other vital Fixflo skills like merging and deactivating properties in the Fixflo Academy.  

Discover more
Fixflo Academy

 

3. Periodic invoicing on service agreements

Previously, jobs generated from service events attached to service agreements required an invoice for each job. Now, contractors can invoice for a period of time, such as a month's worth of work, giving you more flexibility in how you work.

Want to brush up on your Fixflo skills? Learn everything you need to know about the contractor side of Fixflo with our Fixflo Academy course.

 

4. Contractor networks can now mark remedial works as urgent

Contractor networks can set a remedial quote as 'Urgent' when submitting their quote. With Fixflo's improved user interface, they can select "Yes" to "Issue Priority" to create an issue with priority level 1. Those on the Manager package can also set up a Dashboard panel to keep track of urgent remedial issues. This makes it easier for agents to quickly view the most important required remedials.

 

5. Contractor Marketplace

Novex

Contractor Marketplace can now cover even more out-of-hours fault types with Novex. These include faults with property alarms, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms. 

These have been automatically added to the coverage of existing Contractor Marketplace users, except in cases where fault filters are in place.

 

In-hours reactive

Fixflo now provides contractors! Handypeople are available to help your tenants with in-hours issues via the Contractor Marketplace. 

When you go to assign an issue or request a quote in Fixflo, you'll have the option to give the task to one of our trusted, vetted tradespeople for a set rate. We’re adding new handypeople every single week, so make sure you check who’s available when you’re assigning jobs.

 

6. SSO for all users

Single sign-on (SSO) has been brought to all Fixflo users, including agents, landlords, occupiers, and contractors. This can be accessed with a host of platforms, such as Google, Outlook, and Hotmail.

Want to get your occupiers on Fixflo? Learn how to promote Fixflo to your occupiers by sending free SMS messages every three months.

 

7. Co-pilot rules for Christmas will automatically assign emergency issues

Christmas is the time to relax and certainly not the moment to wait by phone in case an occupier's pipes burst! We have taken this into account and are making this process better by providing you with notice and support to ensure you don't receive any calls on Christmas Day or during the festive season while you spend precious time with your family. 

Existing Co-pilot rule(s) for Help me Fix or Novex have been cloned and applied to the upcoming Bank Holidays, and December 27th. This means emergency works will be automatically assigned to Help Me Fix or Novex, who will troubleshoot and dispatch a contractor if needed.

The Christmas Co-Pilot rule will help ensure timely service and minimise potential delays or confusion during this peak period. Users who don't already use Help me Fix or Novex in their Co-Pilot rules won't have anything changed—but if you want us to do this for you, just reach out to support@fixflo.com and let us know.

How do I use Co-pilot rules? Learn how to set up rules to cover out-of-hours repairs with our Fixflo Academy Co-pilot course. 

That's it from us for this year. Did you see something here that you liked but isn't available on your tier of Fixflo? Or do you not have Fixflo yet and want to check it out? 

Gemma Nettle

When Gemma is not writing at work, her main hobby is writing at home. Entertainment is her bag, lapping up every new film and TV series with ferocity. She is always on the lookout for a new pastime, having experimented with dance, baking and bass guitar.

See more posts
default-placeholder

 

BLOG DISCLAIMER

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions related to issues in this article, we strongly advise contacting a legal professional.
These blog posts are the work of Fixflo and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. In summary, you are welcome to re-publish any of these blog posts but are asked to attribute Fixflo with an appropriate link to www.fixflo.com. Access to this blog is allowed only subject to the acceptance of these terms.

Gemma Nettle

By Gemma Nettle

28 November 2024

Be the first to hear about new content for property managers

eBooks and webinars, always free

  • Data-driven industry insights
  • Compliance and legal updates
  • Property management best practices