The merits of cloud-based resource booking in the Public Sector and Local Government

Cloud computing and cloud-based resource booking is fast becoming a fundamental component of business strategies in the UK and internationally. The cloud is now also a priority for government, local government and public sectors across the UK. The British government quickly recognised and embraced the benefits of moving to a cloud-based infrastructure, and in 2013, Government Digital Service (GDS) introduced the Government Cloud First policy – favouring the use of cloud over on-premise or hybrid offerings in all technology decisions for public sector organisations.

As cloud becomes omnipresent, IT departments will have a crucial role in helping organisations to innovate, adapt and develop in creative ways. But what will be the impact of cloud adoption and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) innovations, such as resource booking, in the public sector and local government?

The Matrix Booking engine serves as the digital solution that enables government collaboration in the cloud by transforming the physical workspace into a digital workspace. Resources such as desks, meeting rooms, and car parking spaces are managed and accessible via intuitive mobile and web applications. Matrix Booking will free up valuable IT and FM resources so that time spent wasted on maintaining the chaos of collaborative workspaces can be used in more impactful ways.

Leaving on-premise for the cloud

Cloud 2020 Vision, a report from techUK, confirms what most forward-looking organisations now accept: cloud-based software provides increased efficiency and a healthier bottom line. The research highlights that the combination of cloud adoption and public-sector organisations is having a snowball effect, as cloud technology supports collaboration and the result encourages other government departments to adopt it.

Resource booking software helps government organisations realise the benefits of cloud deployment in a cost-effective and impactful way, improving flexible working and smarter working initiatives. Any government department that is part of One Public Estate, a government hubs initiative, or utilising a hot-desking or flexible working policy will also benefit from resource booking in the cloud.In a collaborative working environment, resource booking software guarantees that collective working spaces and resources are visible, bookable, and accessible via your device – whenever is convenient for you. This approach provides a significant improvement in work-life balance as well as collaboration efforts. The SaaS vendor also assumes responsibility for upgrades to the platform, security, and maintenance; unburdening valuable internal resources from managing an entire aspect of facilities management.

SaaS models are preferable under the Government Cloud First policy due to their enterprise IT and back-office implications. Enterprise IT management can transform IT and back-office functions to maximise business value, achieved by reorganising resource allocation through SaaS. The SaaS approach also reduces cost by enabling departments to subscribe to software applications and utilise the software back-end infrastructure at a reduced rate, creating a digital economy of scale.

The evolution of the digital workplace

The award-winning Matrix Booking builds upon existing digital infrastructure creating a cloud-first organisation. Digitalising resources saves businesses money by freeing up IT resources and exploiting collective assets; expanding the digital workplace, encouraging further innovation and cloud adoption. Technology and government are tightly fused together in a cooperative relationship which requires an investment in resources to yield positive workplace and organisational outcomes.

Government departments are looking to solutions that accommodate the changing nature of working environments, and according to the Gartner report ‘Digital Government: What it means and how to succeed for society’ – the following outcomes can be achieved from the adoption of digital and cloud technologies:

Cloud-based resource booking is the glue that enables local government to collaborate digitally. Cloud technology improves agility in the workplace and establishes a stronger foundation upon which the digital workplace can thrive and prosper.

Matrix Booking is already helping local government authorities and public-sector organisations such as London Borough of Merton, Havant Borough Council, Department of Health, Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of Justice adopt cloud technology through a simple, agile methodology. Through the adoption of cloud technology, Matrix Booking customers have improved work efficiency and increased cross-governmental collaboration.