Achieving cloud-enabled transformation throughout Scotland

Leveraging proven cloud technology to fast-track innovation in Planning and Building Standards

Local authorities across Scotland are committed to the digitisation of public services to reduce costs and improve the quality and efficiency of service delivery. There is increasing focus on moving away from legacy on-premise systems that place onerous maintenance and support demands on IT resources towards flexible and up-to-date cloud-based solutions. Most council’s IT teams are, however, seriously stretched, especially with the need to provide secure, remote access to systems for hybrid working staff post-pandemic.

With Planning and Building Standards departments also facing well-publicised shortfalls in expertise, councils have justifiable concerns regarding the progress of their digitisation journeys. From achieving a seamless cloud migration to managing ongoing upgrades, as well as security, resilience and disaster recovery, what is the best approach if councils are to quickly attain the quantifiable efficiency gains and improvements in service delivery digitisation can offer?

Trusted Partner

A number of councils in Scotland have recently discovered the value of working closely with a trusted supplier on the cloud migration process. Highland Council’s migration to Uniform in the Cloud was the first time it had moved away from traditional on-premise deployments. The transition was smooth and, for end users within the Planning department, the only change in experience was the introduction of a single sign-on. As Highland Council’s Fiona Elder comments, “It was a truly collaborative process: we all felt like one team.”

In addition to removing the pressure on in-house staff to handle the cloud migration, working with Idox on the migration to Uniform Cloud also takes away the burden of system support and maintenance. Idox handles the essential processes associated with hosting the infrastructure, releasing IT teams from the stress and costs of hosting, maintenance, compliance and freeing up time to focus on strategic digital transformation plans.

Allowing a trusted partner to handle the core components of the infrastructure also eradicates the traditional delays associated with on-premise upgrades. There is no time spent waiting for IT resources to become available or the stress associated with managing each upgrade. With a hosted model, Idox regularly updates the software, providing councils with confidence they are always using an up-to-date and supported version, including system updates to support legislative change.

In addition to improving compliance and security, excellent protocols for back-up, recovery and resilience transform councils’ access to systems. With trusted, on-demand system access Planning departments are not only more productive but can also seamlessly support hybrid working – a model that is increasingly key to attracting staff, especially in remote locations such as Dumfries and Galloway. As Max McCall at Dumfries and Galloway, says, “The adoption of a hosted and managed approach with Idox was the ideal solution to improve the speed of access and system resilience to boost confidence and productivity.”

The adoption of a hosted and managed approach with Idox was the ideal solution to improve the speed of access and system resilience to boost confidence and productivity.

Max McCall
Dumfries and Galloway

Conclusion

Reliable digital systems are the foundation of innovation, allowing councils to change workflows and leverage new data insight tools to transform the quality of services to customers. North Lanarkshire’s David Baxter confirms, “Since the migration to Uniform Cloud, North Lanarkshire Council has achieved continuous productivity improvements throughout Planning, Buildings Standards and Estates Management. Now there are opportunities to build on the depth of data available and electronic processing of applications to drive further efficiencies that will improve the experience for both staff and citizens.”

As Jim Harvey, Scotland Account Manager, Idox, concludes, “A move to the cloud with a trusted supplier removes the worry and stress associated with on-premise systems. It provides another level of resilience and on-demand access to systems that can transform productivity and staff morale. Critically, it allows council Planning and Building Standards departments to prioritise key service delivery, achieving more for the local citizens and community.”