IT modernisation for councils is not an option, it’s a necessity

Despite tight budgets, modernising outdated, poorly designed and difficult to integrate legacy IT systems is increasingly critical for Australian and New Zealand local governments. It is something that cannot and should not be ignored.

As community expectations evolve, councils face mounting pressure to efficiently deliver exceptional digital services. Yet local governments face significant challenges in managing outdated IT systems amidst diminishing budgets and rising demands.

Keeping pace with rapid technological advances is a constant challenge. The consequences of doing nothing and remaining with legacy infrastructure are operational inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, community dissatisfaction and technical debt, all of which are crippling our councils.

The hidden costs of outdated systems in local governments

The financial strain of maintaining and updating older legacy systems critical to local governments is substantial, with costs to keep them functional skyrocketing. They crash more frequently, take longer to troubleshoot and often no longer even support councils' needs, yet hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent to constantly maintain them. New updates take longer to apply, there’s an increased risk of cyberattacks and the overall cost of ownership can impair a local government’s ability to provide essential services.

Outdated systems often struggle to handle the volume and complexity of community demands, resulting in longer processing times for essential services such as permits, applications and citizen enquiries. This hinders councils’ ability to provide a seamless, user-friendly digital experience and is putting councils at risk of making both users and stakeholders frustrated and dissatisfied.

The truth is, outdated systems and processes waste time, money and resources, all of which are valuable commodities for councils.

It is therefore crucial for local governments to avoid technical debt by investing in advanced technology to improve outcomes, maintain information security, avoid costly bills and reputational damage, and deliver a superior customer experience.

Improve digital experiences for council communities

Local governments exist to serve the public. The demand for seamless digital experiences from councils is growing as citizens increasingly expect efficient, user-friendly, and accessible online services. In an era where digital interaction is becoming the norm, local governments are under pressure to meet these expectations through upgrading their technology. This shift is driven by factors including the widespread adoption of smartphones, the need for transparency, and the demand for convenient and quick access to information and services.

Software as a Service (SaaS) technology, while not a new concept, has increasingly become a focal point of local governments looking to overhaul their IT infrastructure to address these citizen demands.

Modernised systems enable the implementation of user-friendly interfaces and self-service portals, providing residents with easy access to essential services. Leveraging SaaS, citizens can conveniently complete tasks, submit service requests, report issues or provide feedback, streamlining communication and interaction with councils. This in turn streamlines back-end processes, reducing the administrative burden on council staff.

Real-time information for responsive services

SaaS has the potential to revolutionise how councils respond to citizens through enhanced accessibility of information. With SaaS solutions, council staff can easily access real-time information wherever they are, regardless of location or time. They can quickly retrieve data, ensuring that they have the latest information at their fingertips, and address citizen enquiries and issues swiftly and accurately.

While it’s essential for council staff to easily access information, it’s equally important for citizens to have access too. By making information readily available to the public, this transparency can help councils build trust and foster community engagement, as residents see their concerns being promptly addressed and they feel heard and informed about council activities.

Moreover, SaaS solutions enable councils to easily collate, share, integrate and analyse data from various sources, providing a comprehensive understanding of community needs and trends. This capability helps local governments identify and prioritise issues, allocate resources effectively, and implement proactive measures to address potential problems before they escalate. By breaking down silos and fostering collaboration, SaaS solutions help councils operate more effectively and responsively.

The challenges faced by local governments are clear: outdated legacy software systems, ageing infrastructure, budget pressures and rising community expectations. However, these challenges also present an opportunity for transformation. By modernising their IT systems, councils can overcome the limitations of legacy infrastructure, avoid technical debt and significantly enhance the way they serve their communities.

TechnologyOne’s OneCouncil is a SaaS ERP solution specifically built for Australian and New Zealand local government. It enables councils to simplify IT systems, save time and money by streamlining operations, and transforms the way local governments serve their communities by delivering a seamless and engaging digital experience.

73% of Australian and New Zealand residents live in a council powered by TechnologyOne. Our solutions address the key obstacles of time, value, cost and complexity that often impede local government investments in digital infrastructure and help councils to better serve their communities.

TechnologyOne has transformed the ERP implementation process to reduce risk and cost and rapidly accelerate time to value for customers with Solution as a Service (SaaS+). SaaS+ is a unique all-inclusive offering specifically tailored for Australian and New Zealand local governments, that replaces traditional upfront costs with a single annual fee containing all costs required to implement, run, support and upgrade the solution.

Find out more about TechnologyOne’s OneCouncil SaaS ERP solution built for Australian and New Zealand local governments.