Partner Article

Arun District Council launches pioneering single supplier framework

28 councils in East and West Sussex and Surrey will have access to new framework

Arun District Council (Arun) has created a pioneering new framework to allow 28 authorities to purchase financial management software from Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced). This is as part of a drive to foster collaborative procurement and efficiencies.

Following a formal tendering process involving ten software providers, Advanced has been selected as the framework’s single supplier. The first purchase made via the framework will see Arun implement the e5 solution to replace its in-house finance and debtor management systems. The software will go-live in April 2016.

Under the terms of the four-year agreement, 28 district and borough councils situated in East and West Sussex and Surrey may also use the framework to purchase e5 and associated maintenance up to £1.7 million. Councils can negotiate directly with Advanced and specify their finance system solution requirements, without needing to go through a lengthy tendering and evaluation process to determine the most suitable supplier.

Paul Symes, Programme Manager at Arun District Council comments, “We wanted to create a unique framework to reflect our ethos of working better together with neighbouring authorities and increase collaboration. As there are only seven councils located within West Sussex, we wanted to extend our invitation to other authorities in nearby regions to use the framework to drive economies of scale.”

Arun sought a robust, fully supported and integrated solution to improve the quality of and access to financial information for council members, senior officers and budget managers. The organisation also required more streamlined reporting functionality with less duplication of effort by eliminating its reliance on third party systems and interfaces.

Symes adds, “We were impressed by the Advanced team and are now looking forward to working with them to implement the new e5 system.”

Dean Dickinson, Managing Director, Advanced Business Solutions (Public Sector & Enterprise division), says, “We are delighted to have been chosen as the winning contractor on this unique single supplier framework. Arun’s forward-thinking vision enables other local authorities in the surrounding areas to replace their current, outdated accounting systems by implementing Advanced’s software within a much shorter timescale.

“The framework also offers an opportunity for councils to consider collaborating effectively within a shared services environment to maximise cost and efficiency savings.”

One in four local authorities use Advanced’s solutions, making it one of the largest suppliers of financial software in this sector.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

About Arun District Council

Arun District is the largest district in West Sussex (by population) with an estimated population of 153,341. It includes the towns of Arundel, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton together with 28 surrounding parishes.

http://www.arun.gov.uk/

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 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 provided through Advanced’s subsidiaries, Advanced Learning and Compass Computer Consultants. 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, NHSScotland, 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 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 .