Budget cuts are predicted and these will likely hit the public sector hardest. If the public sector is to operate effectively and efficiently within the confines of budget cuts, they will need to take a good hard look at their operational efficiencies.

Investment in technologies will be key in order to bring about efficiency savings whilst operating with the same (or fewer) headcount. And we’re not talking about implementing huge IT systems that require a PHD in quantum physics to operate – these systems need to support existing processes, be easy to use and deliver a proven and swift ROI. Systems such as spend analysis, electronic procurement and document management are just some of the solutions that are being rolled around across NHS trusts and local authorities as we speak – these organisations have recognised that the foundations for success amidst budget cuts and efficiency targets are built upon the right technological infrastructure.

So, as we all hold our breath to see what the Chancellor has in store, the classic song “Tomorrow” from the musical ‘Annie’ springs to mind – I wonder whether this is what the Chancellor is humming today?…..

The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There’ll be sun!…..

The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
‘Til tomorrow
Come what may

Tomorrow!
Tomorrow!
I love ya
Tomorrow!

I certainly doubt whether anyone in the public sector will be joining in the chorus, that’s for sure!

All eyes on the budget is a post from Advanced Business Solutions - Supplier of accounting software, business intelligence and document managment

The changes to our systems are relatively minor compared to some of the changes required to operational and front office systems.  Our many retail clients, for example, have to consider how and when to actually introduce the (effective) price change to their products, bearing in mind standard price points as well as the time of year.  There are also issues to consider with documents that go across the rate change date as well as interfaces with third party systems.  Our trade association BASDA has published a useful list of issues to be considered – http://www.basda.org/HMRC-exclusive-briefing-for-BASDA-members-re-VAT-changes-247.htm.

We set up a page of information this week containing advice and guidance for each of our systems, as well as guidance papers released by HMRC.  Of note, our website had its greatest number of visitors ever on Thursday (over 1,000 visitors), with over 800 downloads of the documents that we put there over the last two days.

A lot of work for us, but a mass of work for our clients. So no, we don’t love you, Mr Darling.

We don’t love you, Darling is a post from Advanced Business Solutions - Supplier of accounting software, business intelligence and document managment

Of interest to COA Solutions is the pronouncement that VAT will decrease to 15% as of “next Monday, December 1^st”.  This requires a number of very quick changes to be made to financial systems, putting rates down from 17.5% to 15% and considering the implications for partially-rated VAT.  We will be putting a briefing paper on our customer portal shortly, advising all our users how this pre-budget report will affect them and what changes they should be considering.

Amidst all this pre-Christmas cheer (extra money for all!), we continue to provide solutions for our clients aimed at reducing costs and improving processes and competitiveness.  As organisations continue to look at the real cost of employment and consider the possibilities of restructuring, we provide a graphical overview of how pre-defined KPIs can help your organisation move forward.  Click here to view this new, fully interactive overview of Corporate Analytics.

If you are having trouble borrowing money at the current time, at least you can find out where you can save money internally!

All change with Mr Darling is a post from Advanced Business Solutions - Supplier of accounting software, business intelligence and document managment