Partner Article

Councils launch scheme to share Advanced’s budgeting software

Shared system gives councils a single overview of budgets while saving costs

Havering Council (Havering) and Newham Council (Newham) have announced the launch of a pilot project to share the same budgeting and forecasting solution from Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced).

The councils have joined together under a Joint Committee arrangement to form oneSource, to deliver back office services. This is set to realise more than £10m annual savings within the next three to five years.

The budgeting and forecasting pilot follows Havering’s successful use of Collaborative Planning, implemented in 2011. The system has helped Havering to eliminate the use of multiple Excel spreadsheets and enabled authorised users to accurately monitor the authority’s capital and revenue budgets within a controlled and transparent environment.

As part of the recently formed oneSource partnership, sharing Collaborative Planning will further extend the councils’ shared services initiative as an integral part of an ongoing cost and efficiency drive.

Collaborative Planning integrates seamlessly with the financial management software used by both councils, extracting budgetary, procurement and salary information, and displaying them together in one single overview.

Both councils are part of the One Oracle Project, which involves seven local authorities in London which are using Oracle ERP software joining together to share an IT platform. In August 2014 Havering went live on the project, and Newham Council is due to go live in 2015.

Owen Sparks, Operations Manager for Havering Council with responsibility for business partnering at Newham, said: “Collaborative Planning provides us with an easy way to manage our budgets online in a single place. The flexibility and effectiveness of the system gave us the confidence to recommend and roll-out the solution to Newham.

“As both councils share services it is important that our systems and processes are aligned to enable us to work together as smoothly as possible. System intuitiveness and ease of use are also essential to enable our budget holders to fully engage with the financial management process. The use of the system has led to improved budget holder responsibility and ownership.

“We also have greater transparency of our finances, and with the continued squeeze on local authority resources, it remains crucial to have that knowledge easily and quickly accessible.”

The aim of the One Oracle Project is to enable councils to share best practice, as well as minimise the costs for hosting and upgrades, which will enable resources to be directed to frontline services. Sparks added: “The benefits gained from being part of the One Oracle Project will be further extended by Newham and Havering councils both utilising the same forecasting solution - again benefiting from sharing best practice and processes.”

Advanced Business Solutions is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group Ltd.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

About Advanced Business Solutions

Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) provides leading integrated business applications and services that enable public, private and third sector organisations to retain control, improve visibility and gain efficiencies whilst continually improving corporate performance. Advanced prides itself on getting close to its customers by understanding their businesses and responding to their evolving needs.

Advanced’s software systems comprise core accounting/financial management, procurement, supply chain management, human resource, payroll and customer relationship management systems.

These systems are integrated with a range of collaborative, document management and business intelligence solutions to extend the value and effectiveness of front and back office departments.

Management information systems for school and academies are provided through Advanced’s subsidiaries, Advanced Learning and Compass Computer Consultants. Advanced also provides specialist vertical solutions for the not-for-profit, sports, arts, live events and legal markets. All solutions can be delivered as a managed or bureau service.

Customers are from both the public and private sectors and include Companies House, Newcastle City Council, NHSScotland, Norfolk Constabulary, Edge Hill University, WH Smith, Royal Bank of Scotland, Aer Lingus, National Express Group, DFS, Liverpool FC, Goodwood, CIPD and RSPB.

Advanced Business Solutions is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group Limited, a leading supplier of software and IT services to the health, care and business services sectors. In 2014, the Group won Tech Company of the Year in PwC’s UK Tech Awards. Advanced was also ranked in the Deloitte UK Fast 50, which recognises the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK and ranked in the top 300 technology companies in Deloitte’s EMEA rankings.

http://www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/abs/

Press Contacts:

Angela Mycock and Ben Carey, Advanced Computer Software Group pr@advancedcomputersoftware.com +44(0)1625 856 513

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Advanced .