Expansive wins AET tender through Everything ICT framework

Expansive is excited to announce we have been appointed as the CAFM partner for the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET).

The Academies Enterprise Trust is a multi-academy operation responsible for 57 primary, secondary and special schools in England.

AET move from legacy FM software

Until this year, the trust had legacy FM software in place - but it was really only a database solution. So, when their old contract ended, the search for a more dynamic and responsive CAFM began.

The trust wanted to migrate to a solution that would improve visibility and workflows around compliance, budget control and contractor performance. Hundreds of users needed access to the system, including headteachers, school caretakers, health and safety coordinators and third-party suppliers - all with different needs. 

AET choose Expansive

AET ran a competitive tender to find a new supplier. With its modern interface, customisable dashboards, and enhanced communication features, Expansive stood out from the pack.  

Ian Dickinson, National Head of Operations for the trust takes up the story:

“This new system promises to revolutionise how we manage tasks, track contractor activities, and access critical information across all our schools. The ability to customise dashboards for different user groups, the ease of mobile access, and access to unlimited log-ins are game changers for us.”

A key aspect of this partnership is the expected cost savings and improved management of the supply chain. With better analytics and control measures, the team hope to avoid past inefficiencies and ensure more value for money from their partnerships.

Ian continued:

“Our goal is to enhance our response times and overall performance by having real-time data at our fingertips. This transition is not just about a new system; it's about empowering our team and suppliers to work together more effectively and efficiently.”

A future of opportunities

Josh Greibach, CEO of Expansive:

“We are very excited to bring a new level of accountability and control to AET’s operations. It’s a great pleasure to be working with a team so dedicated to realising the benefits of digital transformation in the education sector”

This partnership also marks EFM’s first business win through the public sector collaboration framework Everything ICT, which Expansive hopes will make their solution better known and understood among these organisations:

“Our clients in the education sector benefit particularly from how agile and scalable our solution is. They appreciate the way we work with them to tailor their solution to their own particular needs. It will be great to share this with more schools and colleges.”

For his part, Ian is sure that the Expansive solution will mean continuous improvement for his facilities: 

“Our journey with Expansive marks a new chapter in AET's commitment to excellence in estate management. We are confident that this partnership will bring about significant improvements in our operations and collaborations.