Continued business growth and a shift in customer demands has caused G4S to re-evaluate its technology systems and processes.
Prior to deploying SAP, G4S Cash Solutions had been using a disparate set of systems that made accessing consistent data a complex task.
“Our company vision is to deliver Total Cash Management Solutions, integrating world class service at every stage of the cash cycle and providing innovative and compelling propositions for our customers,” explained Declan Hunt, IT director for G4S Cash Solutions in the UK.
“To do this, we need to have the systems in place that will provide the right efficiencies and processes, as well as the technology to enable us to interact in a better way with our most valuable assets – our customers.”
When seeking a new technology solution G4S looked at offerings from seven vendors before selecting SAP.
Hunt explained: “There are currently four ERP system vendors being used across the G4S group. After a rigorous assessment of these and several other leading suppliers we arrived at a shortlist, finally settling on SAP for a couple of reasons.”
G4S Cash Solutions felt that SAP would be the better fit with the team from a cultural point of view, and that the SAP product was fully integrated with tighter processes – something that’s vital to the success of this project.
Consequently, G4S Cash Solutions has embarked on the transformation project, with first phase – involving financials, procurement and materials management – going live in August. Phase Two – featuring CRM, billing and a customer self-service portal – is scheduled to go live in the third quarter of 2012.
“We are delighted that G4S Cash Solutions has chosen SAP as the platform for this transformation project,” explained Patrick Booth, industry sales director at SAP in the UK and Ireland.
“Our software will provide the efficiencies their business needs at the back end, as well as a portal so that they can interact with each and every one of their customers to make G4S a ‘best run’ business. We’re excited about this relationship and expect it to go from strength to strength over many years to come.”
G4S to support families in North West
Meanwhile, G4S Welfare to Work has been named as one of the preferred bidders to deliver the Government’s programme for supporting families with multiple problems.
From December this year, G4S will be delivering services to over 3,000 of the most troubled families in Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington.
The Department for Education (DfE) estimates there are around 120,000 families with multiple problems across the country. These families face complex barriers to employment, from drug and alcohol dependency to debt and literacy difficulties, and account for more than GB pound 8 billion of welfare spending in the UK.
This announcement means that, over the next three years, G4S will be overseeing the delivery of specialist services to families in the North West specifically focused on addressing these barriers.
The company will be measured on the achievement of progress against targets on issues such as reducing social and economic isolation, addressing health and housing-related barriers and tackling anti-social behaviour.
Funding for the programme will be provided through European Social Fund (ESF) Support.
Well established in the Manchester area
Sean Williams, managing director of G4S Welfare to Work, said: “We’re delighted to have been named preferred bidder to run this important programme in the North West. G4S is well established in Manchester and the surrounding region as a provider on the Government’s Work Programme, and there are key parallels between the Work Programme and this ESF Programme of family-focused support.”
Williams added: “Based on our experience from the Work Programme, we will once again be delivering all services through a subcontracted network of the very best local and national organisations. Each family will be provided with a Key Worker who will work with them to provide a dedicated action plan, tailored counselling services and access to specialist support from a network of over 70 local organisations. Through this approach we believe we can make a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands of families.”
In June 2011, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) launched a new initiative to support families with multiple problems.
Organisations on the Framework for the Provision of Employment Related Support Services (ERSS) were invited to tender for European Social Fund (ESF) Support contracts. There are 12 so-called ‘Contract Package Areas’ across England.