Sally Murdoch, Public Sector Director from Unit4 discusses breaking down silos to create a data-driven culture in government and public administration
The public sector has a lot of challenges to face these days. But one of the biggest takes the form of the burden of administration. We explore how modern enterprise tech like next-gen ERP can help public sector organizations maintain oversight and deliver value across departments with data-driven solutions.
Not only is there more of it than ever before but the proliferation of different technologies in different departments at different periods has made it more difficult to manage.
Data-driven and siloed by default and by design
Over the last 50 years, your organization has probably accrued a vast number of different software systems. Each of these will have been brought in to perform a specific function, and in doing so, solve a specific problem and users never foresaw any need for the data they collected to be shared with any other systems. Therefore, these systems are siloed by default, and also partly by design.
However, as the public sector comes under ever more pressure to increase accountability and transparency, boost efficiency, and make better use of data, these systems are rapidly showing they are unfit for purpose.
The value of data locked in front office legacy systems should be obvious. But beyond these, the tools used by finance and HR departments – whether in the realms of day today money and people management or talent management and data analysis – contain a wealth of data which could potentially be used to boost efficiency and productivity and make your organization’s operations a good deal more transparent.
Why customise when you can collaborate to break down silos
With very specific ways of working and heightened security needs around data, the government has been particularly slow to approach the challenge of integrating systems across departments.
But despite this, as the preferred ERP partner of government organizations in multiple countries, we’re beginning to see a real tide of change through collaborative solutions. We’re very proud to say that many of them come from our own customers.
Southampton City Council
Southampton City Council is a unitary authority in England that is adopting modern digital services as a key element in streamlining service delivery, enhancing the citizen experience, and maximizing efficiency.
Until recently, much of the data underpinning the council’s services was locked in separate, fragmented silos, undermining the opportunity to deliver joined-up, value-based services. Unit4 was able to provide them with the software solutions they needed that were intuitive to use, automated routine tasks, and provided timely, graphic insights to make faster, more informed decisions.
The agile and adaptive cloud model drives improved collaboration and increased resilience. The unified HR and payroll systems have saved them 500 hours of staff time and £80,000 in costs annually, and the smarter finance software has provided a single record of finance shared by all stakeholders, making finance a business partner.
“Unit4 is making the council smarter and more agile. By automating and streamlining processes in the cloud, as well as introducing self-service, Southampton City Council can direct more resources to front-line services.” Helen Baker, ERP Support and Development Manager, Southampton City Council
Forest Research
Forest Research is the UK’s principal provider of tree-related research. Internationally they are renowned for the research they do to support sustainable forestry and protecting habitats and biodiversity. Action is now needed for their primary mission to protect the UK’s forests from a fast-growing number of threats. To achieve this, they’re rethinking how they tackle this problem and using technology to free people to focus on the work that matters most.
The forward-thinking software comprises a comprehensive finance and HR platform that includes a general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, procurement, sales orders, projects, billing, pricing, staff absence, timesheets, and a people resource planner. This single integrated view provides Forest Research with a powerful tool for growth and accountability. The team can harness meaningful insights to transform their workplace.
The organization has now been able to eliminate most of its outdated systems, create a digital culture, boost staff adoption, pay 99% of suppliers within ten days, and deliver real-time financial monitoring capabilities.
“It is essential that we have a single source of finance and HR truth. The management information that provides enables us to be more confident in our decisions, consistently hit financial targets, and drive a great employee experience. I absolutely love Unit4. Their technology, people, and roadmap for the future ensure Forest Research meets its financial goals.” Finance Director, Forest Research
Unit4 ERP makes silos a thing of the past
Our next-generation solution ERP has been designed from the ground up to eliminate siloed operational models in people-centric sectors like government and public administration. Our cloud-native architecture allows your organization to safely and securely store and process data across every department, and our microservices delivery model and no-code customization features make it possible for everyone who uses the system to create the tools and features they need to satisfy their particular work- loads and requirements – all within a single solution.
To see what Unit4 can do for the Public Sector, check out our interactive industry focus here. To discover how our ERP can create savings, efficiency, and real value in your organization check our ERP ROI calculator.
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