News

The procurement

We’re excited to have supported East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) and Borough Council of Wellingborough (BCW) to jointly procure a new document management system.

The change

Currently both councils use a paper-based system. However, the introduction of an electronic document management system (EDMS) will be much more efficient. Subsequently it will help to manage customers’ documents, keep in touch with customers more effectively, and resolve their queries.

This change is being made with assistance from our existing supplier Capita, who were chosen as the successful supplier during the procurement process.

Moving forwards

The next phase of the project includes moving the Revenue and Benefits system to the Data Centre. As a result, this will enhance safety and security and will be done in conjunction with the EDMS installation. We are very much looking forward to be working with ENC and BCW on this project!

In 2020 Microsoft will be ending support for both its Windows 7 operating system and Office 2010. This means that any devices running these editions will soon lose support. Here are five reasons why organisations should already be preparing to avoid this by updating their software now.

1. Protection is crucial

Following the support deadline, there will be no new security patches, upgrades or refreshes for the out of date software. Consequently businesses will be entirely on their own. Therefore, failing to update could leave systems open to cyber-attacks and malware.

2. Updates take time and lots of it

The switch across to Windows 10 and Office 365/2016 may not be a quick and simple procedure. For instance, all peripheral devices such as computer mice, keyboards and printers will need to be assessed to determine whether they support Windows 10. Considering other challenges along the way, a digital transformation such as this could take between one and two years depending on the size of the organisation.

3. Staff will need training

While some staff may feel comfortable operating on different versions of software, others may find the changes difficult to adjust to. If preparations don’t begin now, it might be too late to factor this in and employees could be left unable to do their jobs.

4. Costs will run high

Businesses should also be aware of underestimating costs. Senior managers and stakeholders must understand the scale of the change to guarantee that financial investment is available for a smooth and successful transition. This includes:

• Budgeting for replacements of incompatible physical equipment
• Reduced productivity during the migration period
• Provision of new software licences.

5. Your organisation will benefit

Organisations will be pleased to hear that there is a silver lining to all this change. By updating to the cloud-based Office 365, employees will be granted licence access to their files and Office software on up to five devices. This will enable shared access to content and support remote and flexible working.

What now?

Updating IT systems can be daunting at the best of times, so a major change such as this is likely to leave some business owners quaking at the thought. However, they should consider the whole process as a project to be managed from beginning to end, with a clear plan in place. Subsequently the support deadline may give organisations the opportunity to embrace meaningful transformation at the same time.

Read our full article for CEO Today on Microsoft support deadlines.

To discuss how to begin the migration process and make the most of your software update, please contact Peter Marsden or another member of the team here at Entec Si.

The past year has been an exciting and rewarding one for us. Not only have we seen our family grow, almost doubling in the past 12 months, but we have also had our most successful year to date, having increased turnover by 50 per cent on 2016.

Our unique approach

This is due to the stellar work of our team, who have undertaken 75 separate client commissions over the past year. Our unique approach to delivering business change through technology has been key to this success. We’ve also invested heavily in our recruitment and operational systems, including this new website that you are currently enjoying!

Leading the way

Over recent years we have led the way on many successful landmark projects. These have included working with Birmingham Airport to design and implement their new portfolio management office, transforming the Library of Birmingham’s IT systems and organisational structure and most recently delivering a major IT transformation programme with Cherwell and South Northamptonshire District Councils.

Investing in our team

Despite our recent successes, we’re not stopping there. Over the upcoming year, we intend to continue our trend of steady employee growth. This means we’ll be making key appointments throughout the business. Our people are the fundamental aspect of each and every project, and we intend to continue investing in our employees and developing our skills.

Reflecting on success

Our Principal Consultant, Eman Al-Hillawi, reflects on the last year:

 “Our people are at the very heart of every successful change management programme we deliver. And for our clients, our blended team approach allows us to influence culture change by identifying skills and upskilling their staff to facilitate business transformation.”

Principal Consultant Peter Marsden said:

“Over the last year we’ve made a focused effort to develop our team – which has been led by the growing desire for our clients to remain at the top of their game through IT and business change. Much like our own business, entrepreneurial spirit runs through the very fabric of the local business community and adapting to change is very much at the top of the agenda for enterprises.  

 “Our constant quest to achieve the best possible results has led to a fantastic year for us and we’ve been extremely fortunate to have longstanding clients.

The hard work from our teams internally, the relationships we have with clients, as well as our strong values has been our recipe for success this year. We intend to continue investing in employee growth and development to attract and maintain the best talent.” 

We would like to thank our clients, both old and new for their support. Here’s to many more successful years ahead.

We’ve been included as one of the technology consultancy framework suppliers to Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council (CDC/SNC). We’re very excited to continue our relationship with both councils across this four-year framework programme.

The Bid

We prepared a strong response to the bid. As a result, our long-term local government experience combined with our unique ‘blended team’ approach meant that we offered strong levels of engagement. Our commitment to CDC/SNC will be at the highest level and we can’t wait to continue supporting them.

Lasting Relationship

This contract will build on our previous two-year relationship with the councils.  During this time we’ve supported their programme to transform ICT services. The scope of the framework contract covers both Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. It will ensure a range of services can be engaged to support future changes across both counties.

My introduction to Entec Si has been a cheery whirlwind of activity during my first three days!

There already seems to be a strong theme amongst the people I have met so far with: chocolate, biscuits, cake and sugar in general – what’s not to like? Hence it is only right and proper that I keep the confectionary theme going…

 Day 1

Alpha Works, Birmingham, entailed the most organised and detailed induction of my 20+ year career history. This was combined with what I now know is the infamous ‘Dave Fisher pastry collection’.  The whole experience was out of this Milkyway, Galaxy and indeed Mars!

 Day 2

Meeting (or hobnobbing with) the awesome Birmingham Airport team. I got to say a temporary goodbye to Vicky on her last day before commencement of her maternity leave.

 Day 3

Meg’s energetic introduction to the Entec Si behaviours and values combined with a brief Time Out to peruse her Bounty of  biscuits.

Looking forward to meeting the rest of the team in the very near future when they return from their Turkish Delight holidays (sorry I’m clutching at Sherbert Straws now!), with many happy days to come.

As Programme Managers we work closely with our clients to deliver strategic business outcomes. Central to this is the way we enable, lead and develop a blended Programme culture. This requires a keen eye and the ability to focus on all elements of a Programme. It’s an approach that achieves success and leads to results that we’re all proud of, especially our clients.

Programme managers at work

Throughout a Programme we never lose sight of the outcomes that are defined by our client at the outset. It’s important to us that we listen carefully and really understand what they want and need.

We work closely with clients to develop teams that can drive change forwards. In order to do this we look at the complete picture, including people, organisation, processes, technology and infrastructure.

Going on a journey

Key elements to the success of any Programme are ownership, clarity of goals and realising the benefits of change. We appreciate that we have to take our clients on a journey in order to achieve these. As a result we build strong relationships that enable a Programme to reach its greatest potential.

People make change

Change and people are intrinsically linked. Basically one cannot happen without the other. Without doubt our mantra is to develop trust and maintain great relationships with all parties involved in the change journey. We love knowing that a successful Programme is a job well done, and that our clients are happy with the outcomes.