Cloud-based integration: the next step for public sector
admin February 20, 2020 9:26 am Whatever the industry, many business leaders are now making digital transformation a priority – they want to leverage emerging technologies such as AI and Blockchain to improve efficiencies and drive future growth. For those in the public sector though, where budgets are tight and the same systems have been used for many years, adoption of such technologies can be a challenge. While it may be recognised that system upgrades are needed, there is a high level of risk associated with such projects. Public sector organisations face constant scrutiny; not only on spend, but also on the perceived success of a project. Anxieties around risk and security of sensitive information mean that many public sector departments are holding firm to legacy software and infrastructure, rather than embracing new technologies and processes. When it comes to how private sector businesses are managing and sharing their data, we’re seeing legacy tech, such as the on-premise data warehouse, disappearing in favour of cloud technology. It’s easy to understand why this is the case – the volume and complexity of the data we hold is continuing to grow, so many business leaders are looking for quicker and easier ways of unlocking its true value. Cloud-based integration in particular presents a whole host of opportunities for improving internal efficiencies and is the natural next-step for public sector organisations looking to get on top of this mass of data. With faster deployment of the integration layer, organisations can turn their attentions to what really matters – using data to empower employees, enable cross-departmental collaboration, drive efficiency and cost savings. Read our Public Sector case study. Previous PostNext Post
Why Integration Underpins a Seamless Customer Retail Experience
admin August 21, 2019 9:31 am Competition in retail has always been fierce. However, it’s become ever more intense since the internet revolutionised the entire concept of marketing. Post-dotcom, bricks-and-mortar businesses struggled to compete with their online counterparts, where integration underpins customer experience. Of course, the rise of Amazon has been nothing short of meteoric. Companies like ASOS and Very have also firmly established themselves as online competitors to the traditional UK high street. The bricks and mortar businesses that have survived – and even thrived – over the last few decades are the ones that quickly adapted to the new status quo. For example, John Lewis, Argos, and Tesco rapidly introduced virtual shopping outlets that could compete with their online-only cousins. However, merely extending an online offering is no longer enough. Far from easing up, today’s increasingly smartphone-driven online society demands a strategic approach to reaching new and existing customers. Retailers are under more pressure than ever to provide shoppers with a seamless experience between the physical stores and the online experience. These days, the online experience has gone far beyond the web browser, extending into proprietary apps, online advertising, and social media marketing. Marketing Leaders There are several examples of companies which stand out for their seamless omnichannel approach. Starbucks is one, having pioneered the multi-channel approach with its Starbucks Rewards programme, accessible via a smartphone app. However, the company had a breakthrough in 2018 when it recognised that it only had a digital relationship with those customers who had already signed up for its loyalty scheme. Starbucks decided to put a gateway on the WiFi access in its US stores, requiring customers to provide an email address to get online. Starbucks then emailed those customers with the offer of a free coffee when they signed up for the loyalty programme. The company gained access to ten million email addresses as a result of the change. Another example is Oasis, which executes an outstanding omnichannel approach to high street fashion retailing. For example, the Oasis Instagram account showcases the company’s products tagged with links providing direct access to the mobile-optimised online store. If a user adds something to their cart, it will remain there even if they later log in from a different device. The customer can purchase online, or “click and collect” from their local Oasis store. With only a few big players in the UK supermarket scene, competing on price isn’t always possible. Therefore, a compelling omnichannel marketing campaign can make all the difference. Asda has previously demonstrated success here, with its Easter “Giant Hen” promotion. The company deployed cross-channel messages to deliver location-specific information to potential customers of over 300 stores, each running their own promotional activities for Easter. Over four million people viewed the campaign, with 40% of views coming from previously disengaged customers. Why Integration is Critical Running a sophisticated omnichannel marketing campaign pivots on different parts of the organization being able to communicate effectively and seamlessly with the others. After all, if a marketing campaign pulls in the customers, the retailer needs to ensure there’s adequate inventory in stock to service those customers. An integrated system will enable ad clicks and social engagement to inform revenue forecasts and stock ordering. How can all retailers compete on this level? Well, it starts with systems integration. Many retailers are aware of this, but the challenge is that those who have been around more than a few years are often working on fragmented legacy systems. Therefore, integration is critical for retailers wanting to implement an effective omnichannel strategy. Many companies employ in-house teams, or external consultants to engage in lengthy system integration projects that are often outpaced by technological developments and new go-to-market strategies. But with Smarter Integration, the journey to integration doesn’t have to be painful or even prolonged. Integration Connectivity as a Service (ICaaS) means it can be done and dusted in as little as 48 hours, and all managed in the cloud. Once systems are integrated, retailers are on a level footing to compete with the best in offering a seamless omnichannel customer experience. Social media views and digital advertisements can push what’s in stock, or tease what’s coming soon. Customers aren’t left disappointed by lack of availability. Sales channels could even tell them when a particular item is running low, so as to compel them to buy now before it runs out. Retailers can use these tactics to develop a growing base of loyal customers. This loyalty can also be leveraged to help share the message with other potential new customers. Integration is just the beginning, but it’s a necessary first step to a seamless customer experience. Previous PostNext Post
Gary Ellwood appointed Non-Executive Director
admin July 8, 2019 9:33 am W3 Partnership is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Ellwood as Non-Executive Director for Smarter Integration. Gary Ellwood brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience and an in-depth knowledge of Enterprise Integration. Starting his career in the public sector with DWP in the 90s, Gary quickly established himself as a prominent technology architect and transformation leader, specialising in integration. This led to Chief Architect roles with Cap Gemini and IBM, where he also led the EMEA Integration practice, before becoming Chief Technology Officer at Phones 4u and then Office Depot International. Presently, Gary leads the CxO Advisory consulting practice and is Commercial Sector CTO at Sopra Steria Group. Gary will play a key role in meeting the company’s aggressive growth goals as well as building the brands reputation for service and delivery to clients and establishing ICaaS as a preferred integration method. Graham Woods, Director, W3P Smarter Integration, said: “Gary’s exceptional experience and contacts in the industry are second to none and we are thrilled to have him on board. Attracting someone of Gary’s calibre really endorses the strategy and ambition of Smarter Integration and ICaaS.” Gary Ellwood added: “It’s an exciting time to be joining Smarter Integration, as Cloud centric integration is beginning to gain momentum and take connectivity to the next level. Smarter Integration are focused on helping clients achieve their integration objectives whilst reducing their costs, risk and timescales. We have a strong team and values, placing us an in ideal position to provide exceptional solutions and attain our growth targets.” Previous PostNext Post
Digital Transformation in the Retail Sector
admin June 12, 2019 9:51 am What could go wrong? There is greater pressure than ever for businesses to provide the best possible digital experience. Not just for their customers but also for their staff and partners. However, many IT departments are still concerned with maintaining legacy systems, and there’s often a lack of understanding among senior management as to what digital transformation in the retail sector involves. We want it all, we want it now In an increasingly online world, customers have high expectations. They want to be able to access online shops at any time and from any device. Increasingly, that means mobile usage. For businesses, this means pressure to innovate and to deliver a better user experience. This creates the need for closer integration between IT departments and business units. In order to deliver what the customer wants, businesses are increasingly turning to self-service solutions, allowing business units to build and maintain their own applications. This means online stores can be kept fresh and up to date without the need to wait for action from IT. It’s no surprise, therefore, that companies are turning to cloud applications to deliver many projects, rather than spending time on adapting legacy systems. For applications such as analytics and business intelligence, the cloud is able to deliver faster results. There’s a problem, however, which is that while customers know what they want, in many cases management doesn’t understand what is needed to deliver it. There’s a lack of understanding as to what digital transformation means. It’s often seen as projects such as moving to the cloud, or becoming a paperless office, without the longer term vision to see that it can radically transform the way a business operates. Technology Shifts The IT world has never stood still for long, but the current pace of change is faster than ever. New technologies including the Internet of Things, software-as-a-service, etc increase the number of devices a company needs to connect to, and these systems change often. The key to coping with the added complexity, and doing so fast enough, lies with APIs. These allow the management and sharing of data with a wider range of applications and devices. Business units are then enabled to unlock the value contained in data that’s stored in central silos which otherwise would go largely unused. This shift in technology needs a parallel shift in the way the IT department operates. It needs to move away from being a provider of technology to being an enabler of business processes. Rather than deliver projects from start to end, IT must deliver assets that business units can then combine, manipulate and re-use to achieve their goals. APIs are the main key to making this happen. In retail, digital transformation requires a closer relationship between IT and the business. That means a significant cultural shift for the IT department from being the custodian of technology to becoming a strategic enabler. Failure to recognise the need for a fundamental change in attitude could see digital transformation projects fall at the first hurdle. Read our blog on Finding Digital Solutions for the Retail Sector here Previous PostNext Post
Finding digital solutions for the retail sector
admin May 10, 2018 9:53 am Finding digital solutions in the retail sector can be a challenge. It can be all too easy for managers to focus on the business of shifting products from shelves. This risks losing sight of the bigger picture as to which products are making the best returns and what is working to attract customers into the store. There are a number of reasons as to why retailers struggle to see this big picture and many of them are related to systems. Lack of integration One of the biggest problems, especially for larger businesses, is that legacy systems can be difficult to integrate with newer additions. This holds back digital transformation projects since it is harder to exchange data with suppliers and other systems. The modern world demands greater levels of integration and of technical transparency. But this needs to be achieved without the commitment to costly and time-consuming development projects. This is why many businesses are turning to the use of APIs to allow more streamlined integration between systems. Of course, data needs to be usable across the entire business. Stores vary in size and location which means that their needs differ. Churning out standard centralised reports, therefore, will not be relevant to all of them. Systems need to be flexible enough to tailor information to the needs of individual stores. Development projects Retailing is inherently a physical business. This means that there can be a disconnect between the people at the sharp end and the development teams putting together systems. If retail systems are to be effective, then it’s vital to work closely with developers and system providers to ensure that solutions deliver. It’s important, too, to take the time to trial systems in a smaller scale environment so that, if they do fail it happens in a controlled way and at minimal cost to the business. Digital integration The buzz in many industries, not least retail, at the moment is around digital integration, bringing together systems both in-house and with suppliers to smooth the flow of data. And, of course, data is the key to understanding the business. It can tell you which products sell best and which bring customers into the store. Data on its own, however, is of little use unless you are able to analyse it effectively and draw meaningful insights. Working with a supplier such as Smarter Integration can help retailers to bring together systems and make sense of the data they provide. Smarter Integration has expertise in delivering integration and working with solutions from many of the leading providers of retail solutions. The online world is in a constant state of flux, changes happen quickly and businesses must react to changes in market conditions. In the physical world, it’s harder to do this, but that’s no reason to remain static. Change is an important factor in remaining competitive and without embracing the opportunities offered by digital integration and the use of data, retailers risk being left behind in a rapidly evolving world. Competition in retail has always been fierce. However, it’s become ever more intense since the internet revolutionised the entire concept of marketing. Post-dotcom, bricks-and-mortar businesses struggled to compete with their online counterparts. Previous PostNext Post
Remove the Barriers and Close the Digital Divide
admin January 25, 2018 10:03 am The UK is facing a digital divide, which is set to severely impact the economy. How do we remove the barriers and close the digital divide? As we become increasingly reliant upon technology in our everyday lives, it can be assumed businesses would be keen to embrace technology in order to communicate better with their customers and improve profitability. However, research last year from the CBI and IBM reveals that there is a growing digital divide emerging in the UK economy. With a little over half of all companies embracing the digital economy while the rest fall behind. This is surprising as the UK is one of the world’s leaders in e-commerce and its associated technology. Yet it seems that some companies are struggling to bring their business models into the digital age, resulting in lost opportunities. Barriers to Technology Adoption So what are the factors that are holding back businesses from exploiting the latest digital technologies? There are four principal reoccurring areas in addressing the challenges of digital business. These are: Connectivity worries Security fears Lack of in-house skills Uncertainty of getting a return Of course, these don’t exist in isolation. All four areas need to be tackled when putting together a digital strategy, whatever the size of company involved and in whichever industry it may be operating. That can be a daunting prospect, especially for smaller organisations that may not have a dedicated in-house IT team. To address these issues, many companies are now turning to a technology partner to help them achieve their digital goals. W3Partnership and our Smarter Integration Platform can help assist businesses in delivering agile, secure solutions that will be easy to implement and which will ensure an on-going return on investment. By establishing a core technical framework, services can be enabled far more rapidly and without the need for recruiting expensive and scarce technical skills. Using a series of pre-configured transport adaptors and other modules, it becomes far easier to launch projects and see them through to production in a shorter time frame. It’s also important to have a champion for the digital project within the organisation. Appointing a technology officer to oversee the project not only gives it a ‘face’ but demonstrates that the organisation is serious about its intent. It’s vital that the individual concerned is sufficiently senior to get things done and that they have the appropriate support at executive level to overcome any pockets of resistance. The Digital Advantage By integrating business systems and applications, companies can create a much smoother running operation. But more than that, correctly integrated digital systems can offer a springboard for change and business growth. Ultimately this should engender greater productivity in addition to enhancing the organisation’s ability to respond flexibly to change as it embraces new opportunities. Simply ignoring the opportunities offered by digital can result in the business falling behind its competitors, ultimately losing customers to those organisations that have taken the steps needed to exploit the opportunities offered by digital technology. Click here for more information or to arrange a demo. Previous PostNext Post
Retail and the Importance of Being Informed
admin January 25, 2018 10:01 am In the modern world, no business exists in isolation. The importance of being informed in the retail sector, can be the difference between success and failure. In the retail sector, perhaps more than any other, this means that information from customers, suppliers and distributors is vital to delivering effective services. Business-to-Business In order to succeed, retail and consumer companies are forging ever closer ties. This allows them to make better decisions, get goods to stores in a timely manner, and market them effectively. All of this is enabled by data. A combination of point of sale technology and effective supply chain tracking means that knowing exactly where goods are and how they’re selling is easier than ever before. But for this to work effectively, it requires a timely and accurate exchange of data. In the past, companies tended to keep their information close to their corporate chests, but now there’s far more pressure to share information and a focus on the importance of being informed. While this is good for business decisions, it does require a balance to be struck in regard to security and the governance of data. Business-to-Consumer Of course the customer is a part of this too. Thanks to point of sale systems, loyalty cards, online shopping and so on, retailers now know vastly more about their customers. This allows businesses to respond to real-life demand like never before. But this too is double-edged, as shoppers expect more from their retailers. They want to be able to buy products they’ve seen advertised and they want to take advantage of services such as click and collect to ensure that they don’t have wasted journeys. This means that retailers need to integrate their online and store systems, in addition to the integration with suppliers that we’ve talked about above. IT to Everyone All of this places extra demand on the IT department which has to deliver on what can sometimes appear to be conflicting requirements. Add in new sources of data such as Internet of Things devices and social media analysis, and it’s easy to see how the IT department can quickly become a bottleneck. It’s no surprise then that many businesses are seeking technology partners to help deliver integration and API initiatives. The IT department’s role then becomes one of change management and oversight, ensuring that change is delivered in accordance with the firm’s goals and compliance requirements. Of course IT is also the gatekeeper of in-house data and is therefore best placed to understand where information is generated and held, as well as how it’s secured. As more systems move to the cloud and are delivered using as-a-service models, you might think that the process would become easier, but the basic challenges of maintaining data and sharing it safely and securely remain the same. There will always be opposing dynamics within the organisation that require a mix of technology and cultural change to reconcile and meet the demands of both the company and customer. Retail organisations can no longer afford to do things in the same way they always have. They need to embrace the shift towards integrating and sharing data to streamline the entire supply chain. For more information on how Smarter Integration can be implemented in the retail sector, please contact us Previous PostNext Post
Think Smarter with Smarter Integration
admin January 25, 2018 9:59 am The Smarter Integration Platform – Helping to improve business efficiency by providing an integration capability in hours rather than months. Businesses today are constantly under pressure to integrate their technology, both in-house and with their partners and suppliers, in order to streamline their operations and deliver a more efficient supply chain. To make sure that any such integration is as smooth and painless as possible, it’s essential to have a secure, agile solution that will work with your chosen platform. For larger businesses, it’s not unusual to have inherited platforms and IT solutions that have come from mergers and acquisitions. There may even be separate IT departments, all of which presents an additional challenge when it comes to integration. Successful Integration In order to integrate systems effectively, speed is key and that means technical solutions need to be agile as well as scalable and reliable. It is also important that whatever solution you use doesn’t constrain your ability to grow the business. Enterprises need a way to integrate their applications and systems, to make their processes easier, faster, and to provide a robust framework for growth and change. For the past 10 years, W3Partnership has been working with organisations, enabling them to reach their individual integration targets. The company has designed and developed its own robust Integration Platform that can be adapted to suit any organisation’s criteria and requirements. The Solution The W3 Partnership Smarter Integration Platform is a solution that provides businesses with a set of pre-built patterns, technical services and connectors which allow users to link to business partners and other third Parties in a repeatable, consistent manner. The platform is built around either the IBM API Connect or the MuleSoft Anypoint platform. This means that it allows for any API strategy to become part of the digital integration framework of the business. It can be used with existing in-house systems, in the cloud or in a hybrid environment. It achieves this by using common technical services as the building blocks of integration. This is implemented using a pattern-based approach, supplemented by real-world experience, to ensure a flexible delivery model. All of this is tied together with an adapter framework that allows information to be shared over any network system. This makes it straightforward for organisations to start new services, validate information, transform and configure data to meet their needs. Thanks to this innovative patterned approach, the Smarter Integration Platform enables customers to quickly and efficiently set up new services without the need to recruit and maintain deep technical skills. Furthermore, integration is streamlined because the solution ensures that clients are left with a set of design documentation, pre-built patterns and transport adapters that allow faster, more efficient project initiation. Benefits to the client of this fully documented code provision include faster time to market and therefore quicker return on investment. Its future proof too; since it is fully documented, it can be used for future project requirements and adapt to changing business needs so it’s a solution for the long term, delivering efficiency and cost savings. Previous PostNext Post
Crown Commercial Service Supplier
admin January 25, 2018 9:58 am We are pleased to be a G-Cloud 9 and Digital Outcomes Supplier Public sector bodies can be assured of our credentials as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier as a G-Cloud 9 and Digital Outcomes Supplier. Government Departments, Local Authorities, and Emergency Services can use the Digital Marketplace to access our services, and be safe in the knowledge that they’re dealing with certified specialists. G-Cloud 9 is split into three lots: cloud hosting – platform or infrastructure services for processing and storing data, running software or networking. For example, content delivery networks or load balancing services cloud software – applications that are accessed over the internet and hosted in the cloud. For example, accounting tools or customer service management software cloud support – services to help you set up and maintain your cloud software or hosting services. For example, migration services or ongoing support W3Partnership Ltd and Smarter Integration can be found under Cloud Hosting and Cloud Support. The buyers guide can be found here. If you need support in developing or refining your list of requirements, contact us Previous PostNext Post
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
admin January 25, 2018 9:57 am The first industrial revolution used fossil fuels to mechanise industry and make mass transport available; the second saw the rise of mass production; and the third the rise of automation in production. The fourth will see the lines between the physical, digital and even biological worlds begin to blur. What is different is the speed at which all of this is taking place. Businesses that fail to embrace it risk the equivalent of being left riding the stagecoach while other companies take the steam train. Integrated Production Increasingly the production, distribution and retailing sectors are starting to overlap. This is thanks to the availability of information. Online shopping sites and growing numbers of internet of things (IoT) devices mean that businesses can capture vast amounts of data in real time about the people who are buying and using their products. This information can be used not only to make the sales operation more efficient, but by integrating it with factory floor systems it can improve production efficiency. It can also help to introduce greater flexibility by allowing manufacturers to respond quickly to changes in consumer demand and taste. The problem, however, is that much of the ‘big data’ collected is unstructured and needs work to make it usable. Changing Business Models Compared to the world of only a decade ago, today’s consumer landscape looks radically different. Billions of people now have powerful, versatile mobile devices allowing them to stay in touch and access an entire range of services wherever they are. Add in IoT devices such as fitness trackers, smart TVs and personal assistants including Amazon Echo, and there’s unrivalled opportunity not merely to service customer needs, but also to collect information about how they’re living their lives. With people constantly connected to the digital world, businesses have the opportunity to deliver products and services in a new way that can significantly improve people’s lives. The Big Picture Whether you’re dealing with customers, suppliers or partners, being able to service them effectively means that you need as full a picture as possible as to how they interact with your business. For many companies, the first step in achieving this is a CRM system. However, legacy systems may struggle with the number of inputs with which they must now cope, whether from other databases or from IoT devices. To succeed in the fourth industrial revolution, systems are needed that can cope with large volumes of data – much of it in unstructured form – and provide a clear, coherent view of what’s happening. To achieve this, enterprises are increasingly turning to cloud services and as-a-service delivery models, and adopting an Integration Platform in order to provide affordable, scalable systems that allow them to thrive in the world of big data and to make sense of the information, and also adopt a robust digital process monitoring tool, thereby staying ahead of their competitors. Previous PostNext Post