Issue - meetings

Strata IT Director & Manager Report

Meeting: 27/01/2020 - Strata - Joint Executive Committee (Item 6)

6 Strata IT Director & Manager Report pdf icon PDF 5 MB

Minutes:

The Strata IT Director presented the report on activity from 1 August to 31 December 2019, identifying key activities, successes and areas for improvement. 2019 had been a very productive and successful time for Strata, despite a challenging five year period to reach the current successful position.

 

The successes included: savings of £110,000 over the three authorities as a result of renegotiating the mobile phone contract (this figure is not included in the overall Strata revenue savings figure); the replacement of the previous 20 year telephony platforms with a new single platform across all three authorities, enabling agile working; 50% of East Devon Councillors being migrated to Microsoft O365 platform, providing more functionality on the assigned portable devices (iPads); the re-certification to the annual PSN CoCo ahead of target for all three authorities; and the delivery of an IT environment to support the consolidation of Exeter staff into one building at Exeter Civic Centre.

 

In relation to Climate Change, the use of iPads by Councillors had significantly reduced printing demand; corporate print paper costs had decreased by utilising a thinner print paper but which did not affect print quality; and the replacement of handsets to headsets for Skype for Business have made a £2,500 energy saving per saving at Teignbridge District Council.

 

All savings had been achieved without any detriment to the service.

 

Future projects included the roll out of cyber awareness training (DoJo) to officers and councillors and cyber accreditation (Cyber Essentials Plus); Windows 10 migration rollout, to ensure all three authorities remain supported; and all three authorities collaboratively working more efficiently and effectively; progression of commercialisation; and the rollout of the new Strata vFire portal on 3 February, which would improve reporting and requesting IT issues for the customer. It would also enable access via a mobile app, and understanding demands and trends to achieve internal efficiencies.

 

The presentation is attached to the minutes.

 

Strata Joint Scrutiny Committee had considered the report at its meeting on 13 January 2020.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

 


Meeting: 13/01/2020 - Strata - Joint Scrutiny Committee (Item 5)

5 Strata IT Director & Manager Report -1 August to 31 December 2019 pdf icon PDF 5 MB

Minutes:

The Strata IT Director referred to the report circulated with the agenda on the last four months of activity, the aim being to provide background to the core areas of specialisation within Strata and identifying key activities, successes and areas for improvement. 2019 had been a very productive and successful time for Strata, despite a challenging five year period to get to the current successful position.

 

The successes included: savings of £110,000 over the three authorities as a result of renegotiating the mobile phone contract; the replacement of the previous 20 year telephony platform with a new platform across the three authorities, enabling agile working and employees working anytime, anyplace, anywhere, and revolutionising the service to the end user; excellent support from the service desk; the dedicated IT trainer was proving invaluable meeting the proven need for IT training across the three authorities in assisting Members with ongoing iPad training, and training for employees; and the consolidation of Exeter staff into one building.

 

In relation to Climate Change the use of iPads by Councillors had significantly reduced print costs; corporate print paper costs had decreased by utilising a thinner print paper but which did not affect print quality; the replacement of handsets to headsets for skype for business have made a £2,500 energy saving.

 

Further project successes included: 50% of East Devon Councillors have been migrated to Microsoft O365 platform, providing more functionality on the assigned portable devices (iPads). Teignbridge Councillors have deferred the matter for a few months to consider the financial benefits; the re-certification to the annual PSN CoCo ahead of target for all three authorities.

 

Future projects included the roll out of cyber awareness training  (DoJo) to officers and councillors and cyber accreditation (Cyber Essentials Plus); windows 10 migration rollout, to ensure all three authorities remain supported; and all three authorities collaboratively working more efficiently and effectively. Future challenges included the renegotiation of the Microsoft licence which had been factored into the Business Plan, although this is only an estimate of what the renewal costs might be.

 

Predicted savings were likely to be in the region of £830,000 by the end of the financial year, across the three authorities. £500,000 was returned to the councils at the beginning of the financial year – see finance report below.

 

RESOLVED  - The report be noted.