Oracle is working with key UK Government departments to streamline HR, finance and supply chain processes for 250,000 civil servants using Oracle Cloud.
While better known for its partnerships with large enterprises, Oracle also works closely with governmental organisations.
The tech giant has announced a major collaboration with four key UK government departments: the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Home Office.
Each department is set to adopt Oracle Cloud to modernise and streamline their shared services platform, an initiative forming part of the government’s wider strategy to deliver next-generation shared services and improve public sector efficiency.
The decision to move to Oracle Cloud will transform the way these departments operate, particularly in managing their finance, supply chain and HR processes.
In total, the programme will support around 250,000 civil servants – almost half the total UK civil service workforce. With this shift, the government aims to boost efficiency, enhance services and ultimately provide better value to citizens.
Driving change with a unified platform
Oracle’s partnership with the UK Government is underpinned by the Synergy Programme, a government initiative focused on improving shared services across DWP, DEFRA, MoJ and the Home Office.
By adopting Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), these departments aim to create a unified operating model.
Use of a single platform allows for standardisation in finance, HR and supply chain operations, making processes more efficient and scalable.
Chris Murtagh, Chief Technology Officer and ERP Programme Director for the Synergy Programme, explains: “We are building a common operating model and establishing business processes that will be used collectively across four departments that employ nearly half of all civil servants in the UK.”
The shift to Oracle Cloud, he adds, will “expand insights, increase efficiency and allow us to better meet the needs of citizens.”
Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite includes several features designed to enhance government operations. Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Human Capital Management (HCM) and Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM) will all play crucial roles in increasing productivity and reducing costs.
Moreover, Oracle Fusion Data Intelligence and OCI will provide enhanced analytics to drive better decision-making and improve outcomes for the public.
Transforming government operations through technology
The governmental shift to Oracle Cloud marks a significant step forward in transforming corporate services in the public sector.
Departments involved will benefit from more streamlined processes, improved decision-making through real-time analytics and enhanced employee experiences. By standardising and automating these critical functions, the government can focus on delivering vital services to citizens more effectively.
Siobhan Wilson, Senior Vice President and UK Country Leader at Oracle, highlights the importance of this transition.
She states: “Governmental departments are under ever-increasing pressure to make sure they are working efficiently and cost-effectively. The move to Oracle Cloud will increase efficiency and deliver more value to UK citizens.”
The implementation of this shared services platform will be undertaken in collaboration with Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) members, IBM and Deloitte.
This consortium, along with Oracle, will work with the DWP to ensure the successful rollout of the project.
Oracle Cloud has been designed to handle the specific needs of government organisations, including those in the UK. Oracle Cloud for UK Government & Defence is tailored to meet the strict data security and regulatory requirements of these departments.
This ensures information handled through the platform is safeguarded while providing government workers with the tools they need to improve service delivery.
Enhancing services for the public
At its core, this partnership between Oracle and the UK Government is aimed at streamlining internal operations in a way that improves public services.
With 250,000 civil servants benefitting from the new systems, it’s expected that tasks will be performed more efficiently, leading to cost savings and higher-quality services for the public.
This transformation will simplify how HR, payroll, finance and procurement functions operate, freeing up resources for the departments to concentrate on their critical missions.
The Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP system, in particular, brings advanced tools like AI and machine learning to the table.
These technologies will enable the automation of transactions and enhance predictive planning, which, in turn, helps the departments forecast demand and respond to it more effectively. The inclusion of AI also improves task management, giving civil servants more time to focus on core duties.
The implementation of Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM will provide a more integrated approach to managing the civil service workforce.
It will unify HR processes across departments, making it easier to handle tasks such as talent management, performance reviews and payroll. Moreover, real-time workforce insights will empower managers to make more informed decisions.
The long-term goal is to create a more agile and responsive civil service. With data-driven insights, enhanced decision-making capabilities and seamless integration across various functions, the departments are well-placed to adapt to evolving challenges.
