e4 Strategic has become the latest firm to join the Open Property Data Association (OPDA).

The partnership comes after the digital solutions provider recently launched its new digital workflow platform, VERSA.

The platform provides a suite of innovative product that digitise the lending process, including milestone-driven intelligent workflows and case tracking, secure real-time communication between parties and first-to-market query solutions with intelligent automation.

Through VERSA, lenders can expect greater transparency throughout the homebuying process, more certainty and control regarding their key requirements, direct cost savings and faster transaction times.

OPDA was founded in June 2023 to create and promote open-source data and trust standards across the property and mortgage sectors. It aims to deliver a more efficient, secure and user-friendly experience for both consumers and professionals.

Since its inception, OPDA members who include estate agents, conveyancers, mortgage providers, and technology firms, have collaborated to transform homebuying through implementation of standards.

The OPDA mission to digitise homebuying, aligned with the recent legislation and government announcements on Smart Data and Trust Frameworks, is spearheading the radical change that customers want to see in the homebuying and mortgage process.

Chief executive officer at e4 Strategic, Simon Slater, said: "Joining the OPDA fits perfectly with our mission to bring improved digital solutions and infrastructure between offer and completion. Fragmented systems, duplicated data, and poor visibility are still costing the industry time and money, as well as creating real stress and frustration for consumers across the UK.

"The only way we are going to succeed is to work together through open collaboration and with all the core participants and systems talking to one another. The work that the OPDA is doing is vital in this regard, in terms of the sharing of trusted property data.

"From our perspective we are building VERSA to integrate with the wider digital property landscape so the OPDA’s work gives us a clear and workable collaborative path to making that happen. These are exciting times for everyone in the industry.”

Chair at OPDA, Maria Harris, added: "The industry is crying out for connected and truly integrated digital solutions that are committed to data, trust, and interoperability. Implementing the UK's first open-source data standard proved the ambition and dedication of our members, and our current work streams, including delivery of the Smart Data Challenge prototype, will elevate this to drive further change in the industry. We're delighted that e4 Strategic have joined us to help drive these charges and to show how their platform can enable a better experience."

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