Unit4 launch utility helping local govt comply with Transparency Programme

The 90 plus local government clients of UNIT4 Business Software will from this week be able to access a utility enabling them to comply with the Government’s Transparency Programme, five months ahead of the January 2011 deadline.

Described as “unique to the marketplace”, the Open and Linked Data Initiative is available for free to users of UNIT4’s Agresso ERP software, allowing them to meet (and exceed) the government’s requirements for authorities to publish spending data above £500.

It’s hoped the Initiative’s functionality allowing and cross-referenced data to be searchable, creating “efficient markets and more relevant information that can be used to greater social and economic benefit”.

"Resource planning and combining diverse information across the gamut of internal and external organisational operations is easier and more effective when utilising and contributing to rich seams of linked data.  The conclusions that are drawn also attract greater confidence when they are supported by transparent access to the underlying data,” said Graham Klyne who is the computing officer at Oxford University responsible for leading projects to apply linked data technologies to research outputs.

“UNIT4 is the number one supplier of ERP systems to UK local government and we wanted to provide a service to our clients to help them meet new government transparency requirements early,” said Anwen Robinson the managing director of UNIT4 Business Software.

“We want to help them to not just comply but to provide information that could play a significant part in improving public sector image by better demonstrating transparency, accountability and value to the taxpayer above and beyond what is required of them by Government.”