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Latest News

Sharpen your Sales with SiteStream during Slowdown - September 2008

Several housebuilding companies are investing in the use of SiteStream's software to help counteract the recent slowdown in new home sales and to achieve better business efficiency.

Pennyfarthing Homes has recently launched its new web site making extensive use of SiteStream data to automatically
Pennyfarthing Homes' development at
Rothesay Point, a development of 9 luxury
apartments and 2 penthouses with panoramic
coastal views near the centre of Highcliffe
in Dorset.
update plot pricing, availability, site plans etc for current developments. Quinton Hurdidge at Pennyfarthing comments "It is important that we provide our prospective purchasers with current and comprehensive information on our developments whilst still showing uncluttered & easy to navigate web pages. Equally important is the ability to identify how well our web site is performing so we can make improvements to further enhance our customers experience - we use Google Analytics for this process. In return the level of information we get about prospects who enquire via our web site is invaluable in matching them to our available homes. SiteStream automatically updates our website with accurate information and eliminates any inaccuracies that re-keying might introduce. This level of information online is now expected by serious purchasers before they pursue with an enquiry."

Westerman Homes are another recent convert to SiteStream software. Louise Roberts, Deputy Managing Director of Westerman Homes, says "We selected SiteStream to help simplify our processes and to bring more cohesion within our
Byron townhouses being built by Westerman
Homes at Wilsthorpe Meadows in Long Eaton,
Derbyshire
team. We needed a system that gave us tight control of budgets from conception to project completion. It was also important that we had an off-the-shelf product with 100% backup from a reliable provider like SiteStream as opposed to the bespoke systems we have used in the past". Louise is the third generation of the Westerman family which has been building homes in the Nottingham area for over 75 years. The modern and traditional properties currently built by the company have the high standards and values long associated with the Westerman name.

Malcolm Freeman of SiteStream says "We are pleased that we are helping our customers to work more efficiently during these difficult times. Another example where we can help new homebuilders is with the new CML and HBF requirements for full disclosure of incentives on new home sales. SiteStream records all the pricing, discounts, extras and incentives in a highly disciplined way for internal and external reporting as well as for customer statements, conveyancers and final accounts. This cuts down on duplication and error when using the information for such a wide range of purposes."

You can see Pennyfarthing Homes' new website in operation at Pennyfarthinghomes.co.uk

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SiteStream to sponsor HMI conference - August 2008

SiteStream are sponsoring the annual Housing Market Intelligence conference to be held on the 15th Oct 2008 which this year is entitled 'Maximising opportunities in an adverse market'.

Now in its sixth year the conference is the housebuilding industry's leading event for discussion of the strategic and macro issues facing housebuilders and is a must for anyone involved in the business of housebuilding. Each year the conference attracts the highest calibre of speakers delivering key information and points for discussion to 200-plus delegates. Confirmed speakers include Housing minister Caroline Flint; HBF Chairman Stewart Baseley and HBF Director of Economic Affairs John Stewart.

Malcolm Freeman from SiteStream comments "As a specialist supplier of IT systems to housebuilders we have been closely involved with this event since its inception and I am very pleased to be sponsoring it again. It has grown from strength to strength and it is now the key event for Senior Executives in the industry to attend. I look forward to meeting both our current and future customers at the conference which will help us all plan for better business in these difficult market conditions"

For 2008 the conference moves to the prestigious new venue of Savoy Place alongside The Savoy Hotel in the heart of London. You can download a booking form from www.hbmedia.co.uk/booking/HMIBookingForm.pdf

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SiteStream Customers amongst 100 fastest profit growth... - April 2008

Two of SiteStream's housebuilding customers were named amongst the fastest-growing private companies by profit growth in the Sunday Times 'Profit Track 100' this week. Robertson Group, of which Robertson Homes is a significant part, were ranked at number 4 with an annualised profit growth of 99% over the past three years. Rydon Group, whose subsidiaries Rydon Homes and REAL use SiteStream software, were also named in the league table with annualised 56.5% growth after a management buyout in 2006.

Malcolm Freeman of SiteStream Software says "I offer my congratulations to both companies on these exceptional results and being amongst the few housebuilders who have grown organically to such an extent". Both housebuilding companies have focussed on the efficiencies to be gained from using SiteStream's housing sales and customer care systems particularly in the showhome environment. Malcolm concludes "We look forward to continuing to assist Robertson Homes and Rydon Homes with further growth and efficiencies through using our software in the coming years"

Further details on the Sunday Times Profit Track 100 can be found at www.fasttrack.co.uk

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More reasons to keep your website information up to date... - January 2008

The launch this month of the new Globrix property search site re-emphasises the importance of web search for today's homebuyers.

The site uses a no-subscription search model, like Google's business model, gathering its data by spidering estate agents sites. The ease of use of its search facilities and highly refined search criteria together with map and satellite views of properties for sale make it easier than ever for purchasers to identify their next home. Full feature web and map search is increasingly available on the move through devices like the Apple i-phone and this will surely become the basis for most people's property search in the future.

Malcolm Freeman, Sales and Marketing Director at SiteStream says "As with most other major purchases these days most people will undertake a wide and thorough search on the web before committing to the purchase of a new home. As well as agents and new homebuilders' sites this will probably include areas of particular interest such as local schools, transport, sporting and social activities. Thorough research will also reveal local demographics, crime statistics and a wealth of information about local services. Many buyers will also research recent 'sold prices' through a site such as houseprices.co.uk which also offers information in a convenient map based format."

Map or satellite derived views are increasingly popular as a means of locating property information. Tools such as Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth are now routinely incorporated in the search facilities of many housebuilders websites and property portals. The Internet is arguably now the prime resource for well over 50% of today's homebuyers across all age groups. For housebuilders this means that the ability to provide up to the minute information on the availability and pricing of their new homes is paramount. Many housebuilders are now realising that having undertaken such thorough research, prospects who enquire through the Internet are better qualified and more likely to progress to reservation and completion much more quickly than most other enquirers. Malcolm continues "It is a win-win situation. By importing web leads directly into the SiteStream Sales database 50% of the housebuilders data entry is undertaken by their prospects, who in turn get a faster and more relevant response, which is then most likely to capture their interest."

SiteStream's comprehensive lead management system flows through to sales progression, options and extras, part exchange and comprehensive management reporting. It also has an unrivalled ability to keep the entire dynamic content of your website up to date automatically and respond effectively to every lead, whatever its source. For more information contact Malcolm Freeman via Sales@SiteStream.biz

To see the latest web resources available to home buyers see www.globrix.com and houseprices.co.uk

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...and a Pennyfarthing makes one hundred! - August 2007


A Pennyfarthing home at Bird Hill,
Milford On Sea, Hampshire
Pennyfarthing Homes recently placed the one hundredth order received by SiteStream for their software system for housebuilders. Pennyfarthing's commitment came almost exactly five years to the day after the launch of SiteStream. Mark Adams, Managing Director at Pennyfarthing, commented "After considering the other major systems available we were most impressed by the experience and dedication of SiteStream to the housebuilding industry." Mark continued "This is the beginning of a critical phase in the growth of Pennyfarthing Homes and we are confident that SiteStream's software and expertise will assist us in achieving our plans with maximum efficiency"

Pennyfarthing are one of the largest privately owned housebuilders in the New Forest area and have been building quality homes in Hampshire and Dorset for over 25 years.


Eleanor Court apartments built by Pennyfarthing
Homes in New Milton
Malcolm Freeman, Sales and Marketing Director of SiteStream said "We are delighted that Pennyfarthing Homes have placed the one hundredth order for SiteStream. We very much look forward to helping them achieve their business objectives for growth with maximum operational efficiency". Malcolm also highlighted "We have recently seen a large number of smaller growing housebuilders, like Pennyfarthing, taking SiteStream to benefit from the enormous investment made in the system since its launch five years ago. All our customers, old and new, gain from our continuous development of the software which is also provided to some of the largest housing developers in the country"

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SiteStream goes to Eastern Europe - March 2007

SiteStream recently sold software systems to Quinlan Private Golub in the Czech Republic. Quinlan Private Golub was created in early 2006 as a joint project of Irish real estate company Quinlan Private and the Chicago, Illinois-based real estate company Golub & Company to develop residential and commercial property projects in the CEE region.


A Quinlan development in Prague
The software has been installed at their offices in Prague and will service Quinlan's requirements for land acquisition, budget control and sales operations throughout Eastern Europe. The sale included a number of systems to be used in Quinlan's sales offices which will span from Warsaw in Poland through Slovakia and Hungary to Sofia in Bulgaria. As well as having to cope with up to four currencies, including the Euro, the system needs to cope with local terminology and tax requirements. Malcolm Freeman, Sales Director at SiteStream, said "Our systems are designed to be multi-currency and are capable of being configured with local user-defined terminology. We use these features extensively already where we sell our systems in America and more recently in Australia". Malcolm explained "Although these countries are English speaking the terminology used in the homebuilding industry varies substantially between the different markets effectively giving each of them their own language". "We are excited to be involved in this new territory with its rapid growth and hope that this will be the first of many new opportunities for us."

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New Owner for SiteStream - January 2007

SiteStream is now part of the Tekton Group having transferred ownership from MiTek® Industries Inc. Tekton is a national construction solutions group with an installed client base of over 150 construction companies, and annual turnover in excess £8m. The group currently comprises EVision, Intuita and CIT and has a future dedicated to the provision of construction solutions based on Microsoft technologies. The Tekton customer base includes a number of the leading national and regional construction and house builder brands including Skanska, Gleeson, Bovis, Wates, Henry Boot Construction, Propencity Group and Styles & Wood.

SiteStream already have several clients gained through working co-operatively with EVision, the Tekton division who supply Build IT. Build-IT has been developed over the past five years and is built around the Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP product. As a result of this focused development for the construction sector, it is now recognised by Microsoft, as the class leading business accounting solution for the UK Construction Sector.

The transfer of the ownership of SiteStream was complementary to a simultaneous £12m Management Buyout of Tekton Group led by Inflexion Private Equity, the mid-market private equity investor. Inflexion-managed funds have invested £4.6 million, management has also invested and a package of £5.3m of debt facilities was provided by HSBC Manchester.

Richard Beaton, Chief Executive of Tekton Group said: "We look forward to working with Inflexion and taking the group to the next level of its development as well as the benefits that SiteStream's incorporation will bring. Inflexion's added financial and strategic input will benefit the company in enabling further market penetration as well as developing and introducing new products into new markets."

Tim Smallbone, Director of Inflexion Private Equity said: "Tekton is a fast growing company in a dynamic industry and represents an ideal opportunity for Inflexion to invest. We are pleased to be able to back such an outstanding entrepreneur and anticipate the abundant growth opportunities available in the future."

For more information on the Tekton Group visit www.tekton-group.com

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SiteStream appoints Australian distributor - October 2006

SiteStream are pleased to announce the appointment of Imagemation as the distributor for its software systems in Australia. The new partnership was agreed after extensive research and consultation with some of Australia's leading house builders.

Aaron Savory, Director at Imagemation said "We have spent considerable time together with SiteStream Directors visiting Australian home builders and presenting SiteStream's software. The level of acceptance and the positive response has been quite remarkable with a particular enthusiasm for the sophisticated feasibility and appraisal capabilities that SiteStream offers. SiteStream satisfies the demand that every feasibility and forecast is maximised for its investment return both before and during the housing development process" "This is an ideal time for a world leading and well proven housebuilding system like SiteStream to be made available to Australian home builders. Many builders here still have disparate and dated systems; the mixture of spreadsheets and legacy data systems do not facilitate efficient or effective operational management in an increasingly competitive home building market" "SiteStream also has great synergy with our own ClickHome software designed specifically for home builders"


Malcolm Freeman and Peter Davidson of SiteStream together with
James Selleck, Trevor Irwin and Aaron Savory at Imagemation's
headquarters in Perth, Western Australia.
Malcolm Freeman at SiteStream said "We are really excited at the prospects for SiteStream in Australia. Imagemation's knowledge and dedication in the Australian house building market is a major plus point for us in working with them to expand the availability of our software. We are particularly pleased that SiteStream software has been so successfully validated for the Australian market. Imagemations own 'ClickHome' workflow and mobile computing products are also attractive to us and we intend to promote these within the US and the UK"

Click here to read more about Imagemation Pty Ltd and their range of systems for home builders.

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New Story for SiteStream - July 2006

Carlisle based house builder, Story Homes, has recently appointed SiteStream to assist with its ambitious growth plans.

Managing Director, Barry Little said "2005 was a very successful year for Story Homes. The company won a prestigious Daily Mail UK Property Award for their Parkland Village development, and our Chief Executive, Fred Story, owner of the Story Group and Carlisle United Football Club, won County Director of the Year for Cumbria. Both accolades speak volumes about the quality of our business and the properties we build".

Story Homes' portfolio includes contemporary apartments, townhouses and semi-detached properties, as well as spacious, detached homes in rural locations.

Barry continued "We intend to build on our recent successes and SiteStream will play an important part, both in growing the business, and continuing to provide a professional service to our customers."

Story Homes' flagship development, Shaddon Mill, is currently being converted into vibrant, 21st century loft style living in the heart of historic Carlisle. The sandstone Mill is being sympathetically restored and converted into 58 luxury apartments, including seven penthouses. The apartments retain many period features have exposed sandstone walls, high vaulted ceilings and period detail, as well as fantastic views over the city centre, including the Cathedral, the Castle and the Lakeland Fells beyond.

Story Homes is part of the larger Story Construction Group and has nearly 20 years experience of building in Cumbria, South Scotland and the North East. Story Construction is a company of building and civil engineering contractors and they also have a specialist railway infrastructure division.



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SiteStream offers a new integrated accounting option for House Builders - February 2006

SiteStream has developed links with CyberQube Ltd, a leading software developer and vendor of core financial, production and commercial management systems for the house building and construction industries.

The collaboration allows both companies to provide totally integrated solutions to their clients. A powerful new interface allows core financial data to be exchanged between the two systems, providing the client with key project costing and management information.

David Lappin, Managing Director of CyberQube, says "... both SiteStream and CyberQube have for a long time been regarded as the best in their respective fields. The Companies share the same ethos and vision for software and support, cemented by a true understanding and unrivalled pedigree in the Construction Industry. By joining forces, the solution offered to the house building market will be unbeatable ..."

Commenting on the new links, Malcolm Freeman, Sales and Marketing Director of SiteStream observed "SiteStream's philosophy has always been to allow our customers to make a best of breed choice when it comes to their preferred accounting system. We are very pleased that CyberQube's systems, together with their considerable expertise and experience within the industry, can now combine with SiteStream to provide a modern integrated solution for house builders"



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