Derbyshire Council signs £5.6m deal for SAP rollout

The council will use SAP systems

Derbyshire County Council is to replace its existing mainframe-based IT systems with SAP technology.

The local authority has chosen supplier Capgemini as its transformation partner in a £5.6m deal beginning next April.

David Hickman, transformation director at Derbyshire County Council, said he wants the new system to improve information flow and efficiency.

"We are committed to continuous improvement in the way we work, in the services we provide and in making the best use of taxpayers’ money, and the record shows that we have delivered on those commitments year after year," he said.

"We plan to do even better in the near future and our new IT platform will be key to achieving that aim."

The majority of the new IT systems, including financials, procurement, human resources, payroll and business intelligence, are scheduled to go live in April 2010, and the 25-strong project team of Capgemini consultants will be based at the council’s headquarters in Matlock until then.

Capgemini will also provide application support for the new SAP systems for up to 12 months after going live, and training for in-house staff.

The council is also exploring with Capgemini the business case for a new electronic document and records management system that could tie in with the new SAP systems.