Decision details

The current DES system which is supported by SAP will be end of life in 2027 and therefore will need to be replaced. We have been working with Socitm Advisory (external consultancy) to investigate the options available. The outline business case is to be presented to Cabinet for their approval.

That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Development and Transformation, to commence the procurement of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, with the approval of contract award to be subject to a future report to Cabinet (estimated May/June 2025 with Full Business Case)

Reason for the decision

Dorset Council’s ways of working and financial sustainability required core business processes, across our HR, finance and procurement functions, that were transformed to improve the user and customer experience; to improve the quality and availability of rich data and insights to inform strategic planning and operational delivery; and to take advantage of the opportunity to adopt automation and artificial intelligence to streamline processes to make them more agile and less costly to operate.

In addition, the incumbent SAP solution would become ‘end of life’ in December 2027, meaning the product would no longer receive functionality or security updates.