Computing Awards IT department of the year shortlist

Which is the best IT department?

Computing Awards for Excellence - IT department of the year shortlist

The Pensions Regulator

The Pensions Regulator’s IT department has delivered sustainable cost reductions in tandem with new projects, and has consistently innovated. The firm has introduced virtual machines and blade servers, and launched a new online web service for some 90,000 trustees last November, saving more than £1m.

Kent County Council

Kent County Council’s IT department pioneered the use of webcasting and has launched a number of online resources for citizens including a hosted web service that provides information on living and working in the area. Remote and mobile working solutions have improved services to vulnerable citizens.

The Exchange

The Exchange is a provider of technology to the financial services market. Its 47-strong team delivers IT development and support, configuration management, programme and project management, implementation and systems testing.

Standard Life

In 2004, the bank’s IT department was challenged with supporting significant change, while meeting aggressive departmental cost reduction targets. Over the past four years it has carried out 200 man years of development, seen efficiency savings of around 25 per cent, and realised cost savings equivalent to 440 full-time employees.

Network Rail

In the past year the IT team introduced a new operating model, merged customer relationship management with programme management and streamlined its service delivery model. It has also launched a national handheld computing project.

Iceland Foods

The past few years have seen the IT department shrink from 110 staff to just 43, while implementing a number of new projects and technologies. During this time the entire team has passed ITIL qualifications and gained Prince 2 accredit ation.

Home Group

Three years ago the Home Group decided to modernise its IT department. The cost of ownership of IT has been reduced by £1m and a green agenda has been delivered through the use of virtualisation technologies.

IT Assist, Northern Ireland Civil Service

The IT department in the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel delivered the IT Assist shared service centre in May 2007 after just over six months of development. Eleven separate departments have been migrated over two years and about £1m has been saved on running costs.