Prodo, a leading digital transformation agency specialising in the social housing sector, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with emh group to design, develop, and host a robust digital platform over the next three years. This collaboration aims to deliver a user-centric website that aligns with emh's commitment to providing high-quality, affordable homes, and care and support services across the region.
Company background
Prodo, established in 1998, has over two decades of experience working with housing associations across the UK. As an Umbraco Platinum Partner, Prodo is renowned for its expertise in delivering digital solutions tailored to the unique needs of the social housing sector. Emh group, with a mission to enhance opportunities and services for its customers, owns and manages over 19,000 homes across more than 30 local authority areas.
Project details
Prodo was selected to lead the redevelopment of emh’s digital platform. The project involves replatforming emh’s existing Umbraco CMS, which had reached end-of-life, to the latest supported version, ensuring ongoing stability, security, and enhanced digital capabilities.
Emh’s brief outlined the need for a new website that integrates nine existing websites, providing a cohesive, user-friendly experience for customers and stakeholders. The new platform will prioritise the needs of residents and accessibility, regulatory compliance, and seamless integration with existing systems, reflecting emh's core values of diversity and inclusion.
Prodo will leverage its Prodo Core Codebase, a highly optimised solution developed through years of user research, to deliver the core functionalities that emh requires. This approach will allow for significant customisation, including the management of multiple websites within a single Umbraco CMS instance, a central content repository, and the ability to deploy content across various sites efficiently.
Key elements of the project include
Replatforming to Latest Umbraco CMS: Prodo will upgrade emh’s current Umbraco CMS to the latest supported version. This migration will enhance security, improve performance, and enable access to new features essential for maintaining regulatory compliance and optimising digital operations.
Improved Frontend and Visual Design: Prodo will revitalise the frontend of all integrated websites. This includes refining the look and feel to ensure that each site not only aligns with emh’s brand values but also meets the specific needs of different user groups. The improved design will enhance user experience by making navigation more intuitive and visually appealing.
Centralised Content Repository: The upgrade will include a centralised content repository within the Umbraco CMS, allowing for more effective management of content across multiple websites. This centralisation will simplify content updates and ensure uniformity in messaging and branding.
Accessibility and User Experience: The new platform will be built with a strong focus on accessibility, adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 and other relevant standards. It will be responsive across all devices - desktops, smartphones, and tablets - ensuring a consistent and accessible experience for all users.
Compliance and Future-Readiness: The website will be designed to meet GDPR and other regulatory requirements. Additionally, the platform will be built to support future enhancements and integrations with existing CRM and sales platforms, ensuring long-term adaptability.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance: The project includes a three-year hosting, support, and maintenance contract with the option to extend for an additional year. Prodo will offer comprehensive support, including proactive CMS version updates to ensure the smooth operation of emh’s digital platform.
By enhancing the integration capabilities, improving frontend design, and centralising content management, Prodo aims to deliver a modern, efficient, and scalable website platform that will significantly elevate emh’s digital presence and user engagement.
Market context
In an increasingly digital world, housing providers like emh must ensure their online presence meets the evolving needs of their customers and regulatory standards. The partnership with Prodo comes at a pivotal time, enabling Emh to enhance its digital offering and ensure long-term stability and innovation in its online services.
Quote
“We are thrilled to partner with emh group on this transformative project. From the outset, it was clear that our vision and values closely aligned with emh's commitment to enhancing the lives of their residents through innovative digital solutions. We are confident that our expertise in Umbraco and our tailored approach will not only meet but exceed their expectations, helping to deliver a platform that is as dynamic and diverse as the communities they serve.”
— Jacob Howell, Head of Sales at Prodo
“We are delighted to be working with Prodo for the redevelopment of our digital platform. Their extensive experience and expertise in the social housing sector, combined with their innovative approach to Umbraco CMS, make them the perfect partner for this project. We were impressed by their understanding of our needs and their commitment to enhancing our digital presence. We look forward to a successful collaboration with Prodo and are excited about the potential for future innovations that will further support our mission to provide excellent housing and care services to our communities.”
— Pritti Allen, Head of Communications at emh group
Benefits and impact
This partnership will significantly improve emh’s digital infrastructure, offering a more intuitive and efficient online experience for customers. By integrating multiple websites into a single, streamlined platform, emh will enhance service delivery, accessibility, and engagement, all while ensuring compliance with the latest standards in security and data protection.
