Unlimited Access with Capacity Licensing
The shift to a capacity model removed licence constraints, enabling broader access to data across the organisation. This has empowered more teams to engage with data and build their own insights.
CASE STUDY: Onward Homes
Unlocking the Power of Data with Qlik Cloud Capacity
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Onward Homes is one of the largest providers of social housing based solely in the North West, managing over 37,000 properties and serving more than 50,000 customers.
With a diverse housing portfolio and a commitment to delivering continuous improvements in customer service, Onward needed a data platform that could scale with their ambitions. Onward’s migration from Qlik on-premise to Qlik Cloud Capacity has transformed how they access, use, and acton data across the organisation.
The Challenge
Before migrating, Onward faced several key challenges:
1
Licence limitations:
With only 400–450 Qlik licences for a workforce of over 1,200, access to data was restricted and often required manual reallocation.
2
Manual reporting burden:
Monthly reporting processes were time-consuming and resource-intensive, often involving manual Power Point creation.3
Limited predictive capability
Predictive modelling was handled by a single specialist using third-party tools, limiting scalability and accessibility.
The Decision to Move to the Cloud
The move to Qlik Cloud Capacity was driven by a combination of strategic alignment and opportunity.
“Our IT strategy is cloud-first, so when our Qlik contract was up for renewal, it made perfect sense to explore Qlik Cloud. We’d already seen some of the new features and knew they could bring real value to the business.”
— Anita Wright, Head of Data, Analytics & Insight, Onward Homes
The decision was also supported by a strong business case, including improved functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to democratise data access across the organisation.
The Migration Journey
The migration, supported by Catalyst BI Solutions, was completed in just six weeks, from mid-November to early January, despite the complexity of managing over 300 live Qlik apps.
“The Catalyst team, James, Richard, and Peter, were brilliant. They guided us through the process, handled the initial migrations, and gave us the confidence to take it forward ourselves. It was a true partnership.”
Anita WrightHead of Data, Analytics & Insight, Onward Homes
“The migration itself was relatively straight forward. The real challenge was understanding how to communicate the new features to the business. But with Catalyst’s support, we were able to do that effectively.”
Peter SmoutAnalytics and insight Manager, Onward Homes
Key Benefits
Enhanced User Engagement
With features like role-based collections, alerts, and subscriptions, users now receive timely, relevant insights without needing to manually access dashboards.
“We’ve seen a real reinvigoration of interest in Qlik. Even people who used it before are now more engaged thanks to the new features.”
— Anita Wright
Use Cases That Stand Out
SLT KPI Scorecard:
A strategic dashboard reviewed monthly by the senior leadership team and quarterly by the board, driving a performance-led culture.
Neighbourhood Plus:
Combines data from multiple sources to identify underperforming areas and direct resources proactively.
Service Recovery Model:
A predictive model (currently in testing) designed to improve customer service outcomes.
Looking ahead
The team is particularly excited about expanding their use of Qlik Predict to build more accessible predictive models and reduce reliance on specialist skills.
“Qlik Predict is the most exciting part for us. It means we can be more proactive, help customers faster,and potentially reduce our reliance on third-party tools.”
Anita Wright
They’re also exploring Teams integration, natural language querying, and Qlik Answers to further embed data into daily workflows.
The Catalyst Partnership
Onward Homes successful migration to Qlik Cloud Capacity was underpinned by a strong and collaborative partnership with Catalyst BI. From the outset, Catalyst provided strategic guidance, technical expertise, andhands-on support that made the transition not only possible, but smooth an efficient.
One of the standout contributions from Catalyst was their commitment to migrating the first 100 Qlik apps as part of the services package. This gave Onward a critical head start, allowing their internal team to focus on learning the new environment and planning the broader rollout.
the whole process feel much more manageable.”
— Anita Wright, Head of Data, Analytics & Insight, Onward Homes
Catalyst also played a key role in stakeholder engagement,joining meetings with Onward’s Executive Director of Finance and IT Director to help articulate the business case for moving to the cloud. Their ability to communicate both the technical and strategic benefits of Qlik Cloud Capacity helped secure buy-in at the highest levels.
“Peter Chase from Catalyst was brilliant. He sat in meetings with our senior leadership to make sure they fully understood the benefits of the move. That kind of support made a real difference.”
— Anita Wright
Throughout the migration, Catalyst maintained a regular cadence of project meetings, ensuring that Onward’s team felt supported every step of the way. Their collaborative approach helped Onward’s data team build confidence in the new platform and take ownership of the remaining migrations.
“The Catalyst team really steered us through the process. They didn’t just do the work, they made sure we understood it, so we could take the reins ourselves. That kind of partnership is invaluable.”
— Peter Smout, Analytics and Insight Manager, Onward Homes
Beyond the migration, Catalyst continues to support Onward with data strategy workshops, health checks, and ongoing enablement. Theirbroad team of experts, including specialists in data governance, analytics, and Qlik product development has become a trusted extension of Onward’s internal capabilities.
“What we get from Catalyst is a depth of expertise we didn’t have before. Whether it’s technical support or strategic advice, they’ve been a true partner in our data journey.”
— Anita Wright
Conclusion
Onward Homes migration to Qlik Cloud Capacity has been a game-changer. With improved access, automation, and predictive capabilities, they’re not just managing data, they’re using it to drive real-world impact. As they continue to innovate, their story is a powerful example of how the righ ttechnology and the right partner can transform an organisation.