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Transforming site condition surveys: How Watts Group streamlined reporting

Si Novi and Watts Group partnered to deliver a modern web-based app for site surveys, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
HS2 Pre-construction surveys
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Transforming site surveys with innovation

Watts Group, a leading property and construction consultancy, sought to replace a legacy site surveying application, which lacked critical features and hindered productivity. Partnering with Si Novi, they developed a state-of-the-art web-based surveying app designed for the HS2 project. Built with Enhance JS and AWS serverless technologies, the solution provides geolocation, image watermarking, timestamping, and document generation. This modernised app significantly enhances usability, saves hundreds of hours in manual reporting, and ensures secure, reliable performance both online and offline.

A trusted leader in property consultancy

Watts Group is a renowned consultancy in the property and construction industry, offering expertise in building surveys, project management, and technical due diligence. With a reputation for delivering quality and precision, Watts Group plays a pivotal role in supporting large-scale infrastructure projects, including the prestigious HS2 development.

The challenge: From proof of concept to next-level performance

Watts Group had a legacy site surveying application that had successfully proven the concept of digitised surveys but lacked several critical features to fully meet the needs of their surveyors and clients. As the business grew and took on more complex projects such as HS2, the team recognised the opportunity to improve the app's functionality to unlock greater efficiency and deliver higher-quality outputs.

Specifically, Watts Group aimed to address the following goals:

  • Enhanced Accuracy: Incorporate geolocation capabilities to precisely map survey data to property locations.
  • Improved Credibility: Add image watermarking and timestamping features to authenticate photographic evidence.
  • Increased Efficiency: Automate report generation to save time and reduce manual workloads.

By modernising the application, Watts Group aimed to empower their surveyors with an intuitive and reliable tool that would streamline workflows and ensure a seamless user experience.

Why Si Novi: Agility, Innovation, and Collaboration

Watts Group selected Si Novi for their unmatched flexibility, responsiveness, and ability to deliver innovative solutions faster than larger, traditional IT suppliers. The team's proven expertise in developing tailored applications, combined with their collaborative and customer-focused approach, made them the perfect partner for this transformative project.

Watts Group appreciated Si Novi's:

  • Flexibility and Speed: Agile workflows ensured faster delivery and adaptability to changing requirements.
  • Innovative Solutions: Cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking approaches addressed complex challenges effectively.
  • Collaborative Mindset: A commitment to close partnership and user-centric design ensured the solution aligned with Watts Group's goals.

Si Novi's dynamic approach empowered Watts Group to modernise their operations and achieve measurable success with a solution that exceeded expectations.

Choosing AWS for scalability and security

Si Novi guided Watts Group through AWS adoption to power their next-generation solution, leveraging its scalable and cost-effective infrastructure. AWS services were chosen for their reliability, security, and serverless capabilities, including:

  • Amazon API Gateway for secure API endpoints.
  • AWS Lambda for scalable, event-driven backend processing.
  • Amazon S3 for secure, flexible image and document storage.
  • Amazon CloudFront for fast, efficient content delivery to users.

These technologies ensured the application could seamlessly support offline and online use while meeting stringent security and compliance requirements.

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〝The app has been very well received and has been a great success. It is significantly faster and easier to use than its predecessor - allowing our surveyors to produce more detailed reports.〞
Kevin Taplin — Director
Watts Group

The solution: A cutting-edge survey app built for the future

Si Novi developed a modern web-based surveying application using Enhance JS, designed to run on iPads with full offline and online capabilities. Key features included:

  • Geolocation Integration: Providing pinpoint accuracy for survey mapping.
  • Photo Watermarking and Timestamps: Ensuring authenticated, professional-grade evidence.
  • Document Automation: Reducing manual workloads and enabling rapid report generation.
  • Single Sign-On Access: Offering secure and user-friendly authentication for surveyors.

Built entirely with AWS serverless technologies, including Lambda, S3, and CloudFront, the solution was optimised for performance, scalability, and reliability.

Measurable impact on efficiency and quality

The new site surveying app delivered immediate and substantial benefits for Watts Group:

  • Hundreds of hours saved: Automated reporting features eliminated manual compilation, reducing surveyor workload significantly.
  • Enhanced accuracy: Geolocation, watermarking, and timestamping ensured that all survey data met high standards of reliability and professionalism.
  • Improved user satisfaction: Surveyors praised the app's intuitive interface and offline functionality, enabling them to work seamlessly in the field.
  • Reduced costs: By adopting AWS serverless technologies, Watts Group minimised infrastructure costs while maximising scalability and reliability.

About Si Novi: Innovators in property Tech Solutions

Si Novi specialises in delivering innovative, scalable software solutions for the web. As an AWS consulting partner, Si Novi combines cutting-edge technology with deep domain expertise to empower clients like Watts Group to achieve their business goals.


For more information, and to learn more about how we can deliver cost-effective bespoke web-based software for you, contact Si Novi.


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