Digital transformation presents many opportunities for government to make public services more accessible, efficient, and citizen-centric; however, a new report finds that the UK is lagging behind leading digital nations around the world and is at risk of falling further back
In a new policy paper, A blueprint for modern digital government, the government acknowledges that despite the work of digital teams across the public sector to deliver better-designed, time-saving public services, progress hasn’t been fast or systemic enough.
Budget constraints and lack of funding are undoubtedly impacting the speed of adoption of digital transformation initiatives. In fact, only one in five respondents to the State of Digital Government survey (published alongside the paper) felt the current funding model enabled effective investment in and running of digital services.
A balancing act
Information is an organisation’s most valuable asset, which makes improving how it is managed a key focus for local and national government. There is a universal requirement across the public sector to improve business process efficiency, increase productivity and build better practices to enhance the citizen experience, and it is this that is driving the UK’s digital strategy.
While implementing digital-first practices will require upfront investment in technology, the reality is that the cost of delaying digital transformation and failing to modernise outdated practices and procedures can be far greater.
In the longer term, digital transformation and digital solutions can lower costs. Making the transition to digital streamlines and enhances the delivery of services, automating processes reduces reliance on manual labour and improves employee productivity, while adopting digital, as opposed to paper workflows, reduces waste and saves on storage costs.
Analysis shows that over £45bn per year of unrealised savings and productivity benefits, 4-7% of public sector spend, could be achieved through full potential digitisation of public sector services. This makes digitisation the most powerful lever available to drive public sector and service reform.
Automation reduces costs
Scanners increase productivity by automating much of the work traditionally done by people and host computers. For example, scanners from Kodak Alaris feature Embedded Image Processing within the scanner, which delivers crisp, clear images without requiring a high-powered (or expensive) host PC. Active Feed Technology aligns the leading edge of paper to avoid multi-feeds and misfeeds, and Controlled Output Stacking places paper neatly in the output tray – meaning knowledge workers spend less time preparing documents for scanning and dealing with messy output stacks.
AI, machine learning and RPA technologies all work to improve organisations’ ability to effectively and intelligently capture critical business information. Solutions such as KODAK Info Input Solution – an intelligent document processing (IDP) software – automate and simplify the journey from document arrival to usage in business processes quickly, accurately, and reliably.
The solution is built around Kodak Alaris’ unique Open Intelligence design, in which pre-built models that understand documents are immediately deployed within a workflow process. KODAK Info Input Solution also directly integrates with cloud AI engines from Amazon, Google, and Microsoft and is always leveraging the latest advances in machine learning capabilities to continually optimise and future-proof operations.
Benefits of a digital-first information infrastructure
There are real benefits to a digital-first information infrastructure. Forms can be routed into the work queues of the best people to manage an issue. Systems can load balance work between teams, and they can allow communication and case management to be monitored against service levels. In simple terms, it means putting the right information into the hands of the people who need it most, when they need it.
The cost savings associated with removing paper can also be significant, enabling government agencies to focus on innovation, growth and the future. Electronic storage is not only cheaper than the paper equivalent, but it’s also much more accessible and more secure. It puts an end to paper records being stored in a central storage area, with people wasting valuable time trying to retrieve them. Electronic document management systems also require less physical space, freeing up square footage that can be reallocated to other purposes or removed entirely to deliver additional cost savings.
Expert training and support
Kodak Alaris has decades of experience working with public sector clients and supporting them in their digital transformation journeys. We understand that implementing new technology may require specialised skills or knowledge, which is where our dedicated professional services team steps in, providing the expert support and training that ensures a successful deployment.
In addition to being a leader in data capture and processing solutions, Kodak Alaris is the only multi-vendor solution provider in the industry that offers service contracts. In-house expert field engineers service all major scanner, microfilm and storage brands, ensuring clients continue to get value from legacy hardware as well as new technology investments.
The hidden costs of delaying digital transformation can soon stack up. To find out more about how Kodak Alaris can help, please visit our website.
