TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
difference to the cost base of an organisation, even though some of the changes can be quite small to have a big impact.”
Open data opportunity
Pickford-Wardle believes open data will play a huge part in delivering more services digitally. “I also think data is going to help drive efficiencies and change the models that you use to engage with citizens,” he said. “For example, in America we’re seeing that the states can predict crime hotspots, using the volume of data where crime is likely to happen, which has changed the policing structure.”
He added that there is a “nervousness” in the public sector, as well as the private sector to a certain extent, to give up the reins to data.
“At times there seems to be confusion over what is data that is sacred under data protection laws – because it contains personal, sensitive information – and data that has been anonymised and can be used in a number of ways to deliver services in really cost-effective ways,” said Pickford-Wardle.
However, when done effectively, the rewards can be substantial. Essex County Council, for
instance, is using analytical and diagnostic methods borrowed from the commercial sector to plot the customer journey of people using its website to book adult learning courses – a process that employs several interacting systems.
Along with Matter, the authority analysed the end-to-end journey to identify strengths and weaknesses, testing the most effective links to deliver a smoother transaction.
Payment and procurement
Pickford-Wardle also noted that running this type of service analysis, which creates a set of data, can help encourage council finance directors to invest more into digital.
“We are finding that finance officers are really supportive of this lean startup approach because having a set of measured data helps them make decisions – because they don’t want to be a blocker,” he said. “But if they don’t have any data to base their decision on, they’re being asked to take an enormous risk to spend capital on something where the benefits haven’t been clearly articulated.”
Matter’s CIO added that he believes the G-Cloud
Time running out for Rural Open Sure Signal applications
David Stevenson reports on a new community-led mobile signal scheme.
ommunity councils and small businesses are being encouraged by telecoms provider Vodafone UK to apply for its Rural Open Sure Signal Programme.
C
Supported by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), which represents town and parish councils in England, the programme is giving 100 rural communities in poor mobile coverage locations across the UK, the opportunity to receive 3G mobile access.
Using ‘open femto’ technology, Vodafone Open Sure Signal provides a Vodafone 3G signal in areas where traditional mobile coverage has been unable to reach.
The units, which use existing broadband services to deliver the 3G mobile signal, can be installed on any number of buildings including village halls, pubs, shops and homes across the community to ensure widespread
mobile coverage.
However, applications for the community-led initiative, which has seen connectivity improve across 12 rural communities in the UK, must be made by 14 October 2014.
Cllr Ken Browse, chairman of the NALC, said: “We see fast broadband access as an essential need for the social and economic well-being of neighbourhoods in rural areas as well as urban areas.
“So we support Vodafone’s Rural Open Sure Signal programme and encourage local councils and communities to commit to citizen- led action by entering this scheme, which could help eventually to protect local assets and services, and deliver responsive services to meet the needs of communities.”
Communities connected so far, including
Cranborne in Dorset, have been able to use social media using mobile internet whilst businesses, from GPs to a mussel farmer, now have mobile signal to help make their businesses work better.
Vodafone UK CEO Jeroen Hoencamp said: “However, now that the summer holidays are behind us we are keen for more communities across the UK to get involved and I am very pleased that the NALC and the Countryside Alliance are supporting our major programme to improve rural mobile coverage.
“We are now very close to the closing date and I encourage those who have not yet put in their applications to take up this opportunity to bring mobile access to communities in their local village.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information and how to apply visit:
www.vodafone.co.uk/rural
public sector executive Oct/Nov 14 | 53
framework will become the standard by which external service providers are procured, allow- ing for better control of finances within organi- sations, leading to cost savings and faster more efficient programmes of work. There was even talk that “CloudStore will become the public sec- tor equivalent of iTunes” – where organisations will source approved services and suppliers. The marketplace is also evolving and, as time pro- gresses, more categories will be added.
“The G-Cloud framework is a great starting point, and I think one of the problems at the moment is that there is a lack of understanding of it,” said Pickford-Wardle. “Once it is more widely adopted on a day-to-day basis, it is going to be really positive. Any change is culturally hard to implement and what you’re asking with G-Cloud is for the profession of procurement to change. As G-Cloud framework utilisation increases, customers will see more public projects delivered on time and within budget.”
Hugo Pickford-Wardle
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