IT update to include new ERP system and self-service platform in £186 million deal
City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed a deal with CGI Group for IT services that include the provision of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and self-service platform.
First announced last month when the company was named as preferred bidder, the deal is valued at £186 million over seven years, forecast to provide savings of £45 million, and involves the creation of more than 200 new jobs and 60 apprenticeships in the city, along with investment in social enterprises and community groups.
The contract includes an option to extend by five years with further options beyond that period.
CGI said it will update IT systems across all council services and automate and integrate back office services with a Unit4 Agresso ERP. This will also be integrated with a customer-facing digital platform based on Agilsys software.
Although it said the self-service will be based on a specialist local government platform no further detail has yet been provided over that or the ERP system.
The replacement will begin after the CGI deal kicks in on expiry of the existing contract with BT in March 2016.
Pay as you go
A spokesperson for Edinburgh told UKAuthority that the contract covers all IT services on a fully managed basis, defined by 93 output specifications and individually costed on a 'pay as you go' basis. The council has the right to terminate any of hte services with a predefined notice period and subject to a termination cost.
"This was part of the final evaluation to ensure bidders kept those prices and periods keen," the spokesperson said.
Edinburgh and CGI are also looking to take a lead in piloting new technology for public services through a jointly financed innovation fund, which will give local SMEs the chance to work with CGI in introducing digital and social media services as part of the council’s Digital by Desire strategy.
Online capability
Councillor Alasdair Rankin, convener of the council’s Finance and Resources Committee, said: “One of the exciting things CGI will do is to speed up our move to greater online capability, giving residents and businesses greater flexibility to engage with the council and carry out their transactions digitally. This will make us a more efficient and effective organisation across our wide range of council services.”
Steve Thom, senior vice president CGI UK public sector, said: “This is an ambitious programme that will change the way citizens access and use public services and will introduce new ways of working for the council’s employees, ultimately making their jobs more productive and satisfying.”
The council has previously said the contract could be extended to other public sector organisations, a move which it claims is a first for a Scottish local authority.
Pictured: Princes Street from Calton Hill, Edinburgh by Kevin Rae/Geograph.org.uk
Edinburgh City Council: www.edinburgh.gov.uk
