Innovative approach to ICT strategy brings savings and improves productivity

Updating the council’s computer systems and technology has saved more than £500,000 and will improve efficiency and productivity according to a report going to councillors.

Shropshire Council’s ICT strategy was endorsed by councillors in May 2011, and a progress report has been produced to highlight the achievements made so far.

Major financial savings (£480,000) have been made by renegotiating and ending some ICT contracts, and £38,000 has been saved from licensing costs.

But as well as financial benefits, successful trials have been held regarding mobile and flexible working which will produce long-term improvements.

A series of trials have been taking place with mobile devices, such as building control officers using tablet computers to access files onsite which will cut down on travelling time and reduce the need for them to drive back to the office in-between jobs.

Another area of the council which is seeing the benefits of using mobile devices is the dog warden service.

The dog warden for the south of the county is using an iPad instead of a desktop computer, which means she can cover a greater area because she no longer needs to come back to the office to file her reports.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Cabinet member for IT, said:

“A tremendous amount of work has gone into updating our IT systems, and we are now moving forward with a number of innovative approaches which will save money and improve efficiency.  It is vital that large organisations like councils keep up to date with new technology, and I am delighted that we are ahead of the game in many respects.”

The report will be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday 6 June 2012.  You can view the agenda and reports by clicking this link.