Opening a new waiting list is an important process for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), one that often attracts attention from the public and local media. Without proper planning, a launch can be fraught with delays, system issues, and last-minute requests for support.
Emphasys is here to help! To ensure a smooth process and avoid disruptions, these are some best practices for opening a new waiting list in Elite and MyHousing.
Professional Services – Review of Setups
One common challenge arises when agencies realize a few days before launch that they could benefit from a review of their Waiting List setups. A thorough review from Professional Services (PS) ensures that both Elite and MyHousing are properly configured, significantly reducing the likelihood of errors and system issues when the list opens to the public.
Submitting a request to your Account Manager for a Waiting List Setup Review at least four weeks prior to launch is recommended. The PS team is often booked well in advance, so early notice ensures availability and prevents scheduling conflicts.
This is especially true when agencies require additional configuration support beyond a Waiting List Setup Review. In these cases, additional lead time is needed for quote approval and PS scheduling. You can avoid delays by putting in requests four or more weeks in advance.
Regardless of when an agency submits a request for a WL Setup, Emphasys will make every effort to assist. However, due to scheduling constraints, staff availability cannot be guaranteed on short notice.
TechOps Services – Scaling for a Spike in WebApp Traffic
It’s also very important to notify your Emphasys Account Manager in case a quote is needed for additional TechOps monitoring and server scaling services.
A sudden surge in MyHousing WebApp portal traffic can put strain on the system. Providing advance notice allows our TechOps team to anticipate and prepare for increased system usage, minimizing the risk of slowdowns or technical issues. This ensures smooth performance during peak activity.
To allow the team to scale hosting resources more accurately, please provide:
- The opening date
- The closing date
- The expected number of applications
Ensure a Smooth Waiting List Opening
By following these best practices, agencies can:
- Prevent last-minute delays that could disrupt the waiting list opening date
- Confirm that Elite and MyHousing configurations are set up correctly
- Avoid system slowdowns by notifying Emphasys of potential high traffic spikes
- Secure the necessary Professional Services support well in advance
To ensure a seamless launch, contact Emphasys at (800) 968-6884 or sales@emphasys-software.com as soon as plans are in place. Let us help you make the process as smooth as possible for your agency and the communities you serve.