1st Touch has developed successful integrations with many back-office systems used in local authority organisations, housing associations and ALMOs (arms length management organisations). In their opinion, there is widespread concern that some users are constrained in their ability to choose the right mobile solution. Either they face significant integration fees from their back-office system vendor or are tied in to unacceptable proprietary systems. This limits their ability to realise the significantly lower operational costs that mobile technology offers, in areas such as housing management, service provision, supporting people, surveying, inspection and utilities.

As OpenSpan's graphical user interface complements the unparalleled usability of 1st Touch technology, mobile applications can be delivered rapidly to the field and can be easily developed over time as needs change. As implementation speeds allow applications to be generated in a fraction of the time taken by traditional integration methods, any potential cost savings and efficiencies occur much sooner than would otherwise be possible.

By identifying underlying application objects and utilizing the latest visual programming techniques, OpenSpan’s proven technology overcomes these problems by capturing data directly from multiple back-office systems for use in 1st Touch mobile solutions. This eliminates any restrictive constraints on integration and enables users to replicate, build and administer PDA based applications easily.

Robert Dent CEO of 1st Touch is keen to stress the significant benefits for user organisations, commenting, "As part of the 1st Touch solution, OpenSpan’s seamless integration abilities allow users to realise the full ROI benefits of existing back-office investments far more quickly. This is because they can now by-pass the silo-like limitations of bespoke integrations or worse, having their choice of mobile solution dictated to them. As OpenSpan tears down the walls between applications, local authorities and social-housing providers, are now able to move forward. No other approach offers them this level of freedom.

"We are naturally delighted, therefore, to announce the partnership with OpenSpan, a company recognised globally for its success in financial services, telecommunications, outsourced call centres and other industries. It is only right that this list should now include the local authority and social-housing markets."

Eric Musser, CEO of OpenSpan welcomed Dent’s comments adding, "A number of technology vendors are still clinging to the outmoded concept of trying to lock their customers into their solutions. In these times of budget austerity, we are very pleased that our collaboration with 1st Touch is freeing up local authority organisations and social-housing providers to choose the best mobile solutions for their needs and budget."