Whilst musing over where the knowledge really lies within our community of Pitney Bowes Business Insight dedicated “Confirm” staff and the 170 UK Organisations that use our Confirm software every day, I also addressed my mind to the savings that might tempt both existing and new users. With the family at home for the Bank Holiday and being an interminable romantic, I came up with a “peek-a-boo” picture in my head.
Savings are not always as obvious as the difference in time at the point of work when mobile staff use on-line hand held computers with maps, photo-link and a GPS. Sometimes they are hidden, but, when pointed out, evoke a “there you are” reaction, somewhat similar to the peek-a-boo concept.
So, when a single system can be used in two or more departments and share a single Inventory register, sometimes it is pretty obvious: one street register for Highways and Roads then re-using it for Street Cleansing and Street Tree Management. But, just there behind the curtain or hay and looking straight at you is a large “Pound” sign called Corporate System Link about to “boo” you! You linked the Financial Management part of Confirm to the Corporate Financials; now it can be re-used for Street Cleansing and Tree Management. Think of the inverse, where three systems exist – three interfaces exist and probably need to be purchased, implemented and fixed when they break. What a wonderful surprise to find a cash saving (as cute as a little bunny rabbit?) There are many similar ideas, re-using the report writer and dashboards, a single expert system administrator, links to EDMS and GIS, a single technology for mobile working and the list goes on.
Didn't see that, did you?
There are many possible “hidden savings” from reducing the total number of systems that a single organisation owns.
Of course, it is for each Organisation to identify for themselves whether an existing system can be re-used in adjacent or similar departments, or whether it is appropriate to spread it wider and deeper through the supply chain / value chain. These types of savings are all too obvious once pointed out.
Post election we expect to see pressure on public spending and these gems of hidden cashable savings will be sitting there staring us in the face and waiting for us to see them, smile…and, perhaps, take them up?
Confirm can be used in 10 departments; Peek-a-boo!
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