Partner Article

Public sector must transform spend analysis to meet new savings targets, warns Advanced

Public sector organisations must transform procurement policies and spend analysis to meet new savings targets, warns Advanced

Changes key to balancing Government cuts with front-line service provision

17 December 2014 – Public sector organisations must make radical changes to procurement processes, supplier contract management and spend analysis to meet new efficiency savings targets, according to leading business applications and services provider, Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced).

The Government’s latest round of spending cuts, announced in Chancellor George Osborne’s recent Autumn Statement, confirmed that the Government plans to reduce public spending by another £30bn if it remains in power after next May’s general election.

Systems such as Spend Analytics from Advanced, consolidate data from an organisation’s finance and procurement systems to offer a unified and accurate view of all spending. The system allows staff to rapidly identify price variances, non-compliant ordering, invoice processing issues and common purchasing anomalies, such as one department paying more than another for the same product.

Dean Dickinson, Managing Director, Advanced Business Solutions (Public Sector & Enterprise Division) comments: “For many organisations, further costs cuts will only be possible if they transform existing procurement policies. Closer collaboration between multiple departments, eliminating manual-based processes and the consolidation of purchasing data is key to identifying where savings can be made.

“Spend analysis solutions provide a cohesive view of all procurement costs and improve financial transparency to assist with driving greater value from suppliers.”

Spend Analytics’ drill-down functionality allows staff to analyse spend by company, supplier, cost-centre, product unit of issue and contract categories. Tailored key performance indicators also identify where targets are not being met, providing greater intelligence when renegotiating contracts with suppliers to ensure more competitive pricing.

Management decision making is supported by the ability to create customisable queries, scorecards, charts and reports. These enable users to analyse procurement data in different ways, refine existing purchasing processes and formulate long-term plans for reducing costs.

“Spend analysis must be a continuous process and not a one-off exercise. Many public sector organisations which have already reduced their spending are now tasked with making further cuts. By investing in technologies that enable them to initiate and refine their plans on an ongoing basis, they are better placed to achieve the significant savings that are needed,” concludes Dickinson.

Advanced Business Solutions is an Advanced Computer Software Group company. In 2014, the Group won Tech Company of the Year in PwC’s UK Tech Awards and was ranked in the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50, which recognises the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

About Advanced Business Solutions www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/abs

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 and payroll systems, integrated with a range of collaborative, document management and business intelligence solutions to extend the value and effectiveness of the finance, human resource and payroll departments.

Management information systems for school and academies are also provided through Advanced’s subsidiary, Advanced Learning. Advanced also provides specialist vertical solutions for the not-for-profit 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, NHS Scotland, Norfolk Constabulary, Edge Hill University, WH Smith, Royal Bank of Scotland, Aer Lingus, National Express Group, DFS and RSPB.

Advanced Business Solutions is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group plc, a leading supplier of software and IT services to the health, care and business services sectors.

Press contact:

Angela Mycock and Nick Hardy, Advanced Computer Software Group

pr@advancedcomputersoftware.com

+44(0)1625 856 513

07887 415 232

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