IBS OPENSystems, a leading provider of software and services to Local Authorities and housing associations, has signed a contract with Central Bedfordshire, a newly formed unitary authority which begins public service in April 2009.

The contract, includes a complete Revenues and Benefits solution including IBS own Document Management and Workflow product together with a comprehensive citizen self service portal. This will be used across Central Bedfordshire Council, an amalgamation of Mid-Beds District Council, South Beds District Council and part of Bedfordshire County Council. Go-live is planned for Autumn 2009 to support 130 users.

In order to create a streamlined, efficient and effective unitary authority, Central Bedfordshire Council decided that the two existing district councils would need to be transferred onto one IT system. After reviewing each council s existing systems and undertaking a review of the market, the decision was taken to adopt IBS OPENSystems software.

Clive Jones, Head of Service for Business Transformation and Customer Services, Central Bedfordshire Council, comments:
IBS OPENSystems roadmap for the future is aligned well to that of Central Bedfordshire Council. We were impressed with their integrated workflow system, which allows users the opportunity to view a variety of customer details in one view.

Also, we were very keen to speed up the time in which it took for the council to process claims. With IBS we expect to see a radical reduction from 21 towards 10 days.

Bill Loughrey, Managing Director, IBS OPENSystems comments: The adoption of IBS OPENSystems software will offer the newly formed Central Bedfordshire Council the best possible start, with an integrated set of solutions that will improve efficiency, accuracy and productivity by giving staff the tools they need to deliver an effective and reliable service.