Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/27/ibm_and_oracle_uk_contract/
Source: The Register
Title: IBM and Oracle to support 280,000 users after winning mega ERP govt tech contract
Feedly Summary: Pair of industry giants set to take on £711M upgrade supporting four UK departments
IBM and Oracle have won a competition to supply an ERP upgrade to a group of UK central government departments in a deal worth £711 million ($950 million).…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses a major ERP upgrade project awarded to IBM and Oracle by UK central government departments, worth £711 million ($950 million). The project aims to implement a cloud-based, user-centric service to streamline processes across multiple departments, emphasizing a significant transformation in enterprise technology within the UK’s public sector.
Detailed Description:
– IBM and Oracle have secured a contract to provide ERP technology and systems integration services for UK government departments, valued at £711 million.
– The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), leading the initiative known as the Synergy Programme, seeks to consolidate and upgrade ERP and HR systems across several major departments and their associated arms, affecting approximately 280,000 employees.
– Key departments involved include:
– Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
– Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
– Home Office
– The DWP is modernizing its existing systems, transitioning from an on-premises solution to a cloud-based Software as-a-Service (SaaS) ERP platform leveraging Oracle’s solutions.
– The Synergy Programme is designed to drive significant business transformation through:
– Development of a new Common Operating Model (COM)
– Introduction of user-centric services and common data standards
– Continuous evolution through the five delivery phases of the program, allowing for identification of additional benefits and justification of the current benefits profile
– The broader mission of this project reflects a growing trend in public sector modernization to improve efficiencies and service delivery through upgraded technology systems.
– A procurement process is underway to attract suppliers for business process services, potentially increasing the project’s total investment to around £1.9 billion ($2.5 billion).
– Concerns over funding and the business case for the project have been raised, with previous discussions revealing a shortfall in expected budget versus needs.
* Key Insights for Security and Compliance Professionals:
– Considerations for ERP and cloud service implementations in government settings necessitate rigorous security and compliance checks to safeguard sensitive data.
– The integration of multiple departments presents complexity in governance and oversight, warranting strong security frameworks and transparency requirements.
– Regular updates on funding challenges and strategic transformations signal critical touchpoints for compliance with procurement regulations and project management standards in public sector IT projects.