Case Study: How Radius Housing Streamlined HMS Procurement with Expert Support from 3C
The Organisation
Radius Housing provides affordable social housing across Northern Ireland and is the largest housing association on the island of Ireland. Committed to continuous improvement and better tenant outcomes, Radius has made digital transformation a key strategic priority. Central to this was the replacement of its legacy Housing Management System (HMS) to move to a cloud-based solution, with improved data integration and quality tools to deliver long-term value for the organisation.
The Challenge: Disconnected Data Across Multiple Systems
Radius had been using its previous HMS for over 20 years. The system was hosted on-premise, limiting flexibility and scalability. As Radius began shifting to a “cloud-first” strategy, it became clear that the legacy system no longer aligned with its vision. The cost and complexity of upgrading the existing solution made it difficult to justify, especially when set against the opportunity to invest in a modern, purpose-built alternative.
But procuring a new HMS isn’t just a technology decision - it’s a business-critical transformation. For Radius, with limited in-house experience of public sector IT procurement at this scale, the process presented significant risk. The team needed to define detailed system requirements, assess suppliers fairly, and navigate procurement regulations without excluding potential vendors or exposing the organisation to reputational risk.
The Solution: Expert Guidance Ensures a Future-Proof HMS Strategy, Built on Clarity, Compliance, and Data Integrity
To support the process, Radius turned to 3C - a data and digital consultancy with deep expertise in the social housing sector. Having already collaborated with Radius on earlier IT strategy work, 3C was well-positioned to guide the team through the complexities of HMS procurement.
3C brought more than just technical insight - their team offered sector-specific knowledge that proved critical throughout the project. From defining the business needs, to helping construct a specification document, to shaping evaluation criteria, 3C worked alongside Radius to ensure every aspect of the process was robust, fair, and future-focused.
“3C helped us navigate the procurement process and make sure we weren’t exposed - legally or reputationally - by missteps,” explains Garth Pelan, Senior Head of ICT at Radius.
“Their knowledge of the housing sector and the scale of projects they’ve worked on gave me a much clearer picture of what was possible for Radius.”
Together, they built a detailed understanding of what the new HMS needed to deliver - from mobile working and tenant engagement to asset management and regulatory compliance. A guiding principle throughout was the creation of “one version of the truth” - a centralised system of record that would act as a trusted source of data for the entire organisation and its partner systems.
The Benefits: Specialist Support Delivers Stronger Capability, and a Compliant Path to Long-Term Value
1. Sector-Specific Expertise
Unlike generalist IT consultancies, 3C brought direct housing sector experience. Radius's ICT lead Garth notes,
“3C’s understanding of the housing sector has been invaluable - not just for data, but for the whole landscape.”
That knowledge enabled Radius to benchmark its plans against best practice and avoid common pitfalls. It also helped the organisation navigate procurement with confidence - from understanding the supplier ecosystem to striking the right balance between value and functionality in its evaluation criteria.
2. A Strong, Collaborative Relationship
What stood out most in Radius’s experience was the nature of the relationship.
“3C aren’t just a preferred partner - they’re a critical partner,” Garth from Radius explained.
“They’re honest about where they can help, and they take you on the journey - showing you what they’re doing and why. It’s helped build my knowledge and our internal capability over time.”
Rather than working behind closed doors, 3C embedded themselves into the process, transferring knowledge and supporting Radius in building long-term internal understanding.
3. A Clearer Vision and Better Value
With 3C’s support, Radius was able to make an informed decision that prioritised long-term efficiency and sustainability. Instead of sinking further investment into an ageing system, the organisation chose a modern, cloud-based HMS aligned with its future goals. The cost-benefit analysis developed in partnership with 3C demonstrated clear long-term value, justifying the upfront investment.
4. Confidence in Compliance and Fairness
Public sector procurement comes with high expectations around transparency and fairness. With 3C’s expertise on the process, Radius was able to approach the market with confidence.
“You don’t want to leave your organisation open to reputational risk, or accidentally exclude a provider who could bring real value,” Garth notes. “3C made sure we did it right.”
Final Thoughts
As Radius Housing continues its digital journey, its long-standing partnership with 3C remains a core asset - one that has helped turn complex, high-risk projects into successful, future-proofed outcomes.
Garth reflects, “I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now in my journey with Radius if I hadn’t had the backing of 3C. And I genuinely don’t say that lightly.”