If your organisation is still relying on old, possibly manual ordering systems, you might want to consider upgrading. Apart from struggling with poor systems, this will have been a strong recommendation included in your audit report. Unfortunately, weak procurement systems too often tempt fraud and the cost to an organisation can be severe.

Most core financials now have a frontend to the creditors system to provide a secure, controlled and highly visible mechanism for creating electronic orders, and whilst installation is not so difficult, it can task an already busy systems and finance section. It will require careful coordination with your Procurement section and every budget holder – the latter presents a significant ‘change management’ requirement and should not be underestimated.

Careful planning is therefore an essential step – and although the choice of system may already be clear to you, the task of configuring it to meet your exact business needs, if done with care, will pay noticeable dividends in a successful implementation.

Public Sector Consultants can provide experienced project managers to provide a professional backbone to your project. We can help guide all stakeholders through the otherwise potential hotspots which if not addressed at the outset can derail a project, often incurring additional and unnecessary costs.

Services provided by Public Sector Consultants include:

• preparation of feasibility studies, business cases, PIDs, and detailed project plans
• process mapping identifying ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ processes
• full business transformation plans to identify all change management areas
• preparation of approval hierarchies
• experienced project managers for full or partial implementation
• provision and completion of testing plans
• assistance with training and frontline support
• ensuring full liaison with all stakeholders, including software suppliers and internal audit
• review and amendment of financial regulations
• support to ensure accurate commitment accounting mechanisms
• support integrating with market places

The benefits of our service are:

• you have access to our experienced and skilled consultants who are able to provide a comprehensive and total solution
• we provide a project based resource which can operate with a precise focus ensuring the full engagement of all stakeholders throughout the project
• in achieving the primary focus, our multi-skilled consultants can often provide additional support where any additional weaknesses or opportunities are uncovered
• you have the backup and support of Public Sector Consultants whose ‘qvp’ quality model prioritises communication with you and review at frequent intervals to ensure our quality service is meeting your business needs.