Industry Interview: Louis Harwood of Invento Software.

February 23, 2015

Where did the idea come from to launch Invento Software?

As a tenant and as a software developer working closely with letting agents and landlords I’ve experienced the difficulties that both sides face on a weekly basis. Seeing this led to the creation of Invento Software, focussing on making letting agents lives easier through technology.

With similar companies in the market place already, how does your software solution offer a USP?

With a number of products under our belt, the most recent being LettingFix, we are doubling down on integration and opening up access to data. There are so many different solutions out there that a letting agent can easily end up with 20 separate pieces of software helping them run their business but none of which ‘talk’ to each other. 2015 will see us making integration problems a thing of the past both between our own apps, internal systems and other providers.

How do you feel the estate agency industry embraces new innovation and technology?

Surprisingly well! We’ve been amazed sometimes at the energy some of our customers have towards trying new technology and being genuinely excited about new features and products. The industry embraces technology so well the problem isn’t encouraging agents to use software but instead to ensure that we can provide for their needs, which we strive to do every day. Over the next 12-18 months I imagine the focus will move from “which new solution should we try” to “which solution will work with our existing software easily?”.

The importance of social media as a marketing tool is growing – Do you agree with that?

Social media is becoming more and more important and that is proven by nearly every company spending more on digital marketing rather than traditional. We focus heavily on social media as a marketing tool, not because it guarantees sales but because if a company doesn’t have a strong social media presence it can put potential customers off.

What are your thoughts on Estate Agent Networking?

For Invento Software to do well, every member of staff has to become experts in the letting industry. Estate Agent Networking is the best resource for seeing what other industry leaders think, I make sure all my staff from our team of developers to the new apprentice, use the site to make sure they know what is happening in the industry. It helps us understand our customer’s needs and it is important to do so.

 

Interviewed by Christopher Walkey, CEO of Estate Agent Networking. Many thanks to:
Louis Hardwood
Managing Director at Invento Software.

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Buying Alone? What Solo Buyers Need to Know Before Making an Offer on a House

Figures show that solo buyers accounted for 36.9% of Barclays’ mortgage completions in June 2026, as more people chose to step onto the property ladder without a partner beside them. Choosing independence over waiting for a joint purchase has doubled over the last 50+ years, with solo first-time buyers doubling from 15% before 1980 to…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

How to Make a New-Build Living Room Feel Less Like a Show Home

An empty new-build living room can be surprisingly difficult to furnish. The walls are freshly painted, the sockets are in place, and there is nothing to remove before decorating begins. Yet once the sofa arrives, the room can still feel unsettled: too bare in some places, awkwardly crowded in others. The answer rarely involves buying…
Read More →
Breaking News

Mortgage Borrowing Dip

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals decreased to £3.9 billion in September, from £4.2 billion in August, below the previous 6-month average of £4.9 billion. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases decreased to 53,400 in September, below an average of around 58,800 over the previous 6-months. Approvals for remortgaging increased to 42,600…
Read More →
Breaking News

Autumn Budget 2026: Property industry reaction

Following today’s Autumn Budget, reaction from property industry experts on six key areas for the property market. First-time buyer support: The £4.7bn Your First Home equity loan scheme, supporting 70,000 buyers, alongside the introduction of a new First Time Buyer ISA. Inflation and borrowing costs: The extension of the fuel duty freeze, household energy support…
Read More →
Breaking News

Can you legally BAN Halloween Trick or Treaters?

People who dread the annual knock of trick-or-treaters may have more power to keep Halloween callers away than they realise. As millions of children prepare to take to the streets on October 31, a property law expert has explained what homeowners can do if they do not want strangers walking up their path or knocking…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

What the sector need to do differently to give first time buyers a chance

By Peter Hawley, Director, SOWN (part of LRG) The mortgage and property sector needs to stop assuming that younger buyers are either ready to buy outright or not ready at all. For many, the reality is somewhere in between. They may have stable employment, a deposit and a strong desire to own, but still find…
Read More →