First in the country for innovation

Gisborne District Council has been awarded the prestigious 2015 ALGIM Excellence in Innovation award for developing a smart financial management system called Financial Business Intelligence (FBI).

Gisborne had two projects nominated in the final group of six nominations from council’s across the country, including Auckland and Hamilton.

Barry Vryenhoek, operations group manager for Gisborne District Council, accepted the award on behalf of the Council at the 2015 Annual ALGIM Awards held at SKYCITY Auckland last night [Thursday 26 November].

“I am ecstatic. This is amazing recognition for the team, the organisation, as well as Gisborne’s reputation on a national stage. I couldn’t be prouder right now, said Mr Vryenhoek, immediately after the win.

The award recognises and celebrates best practice, innovation and technical leadership within Local Government Information and Communication Technology.

Chief Executive Judy Campbell said she was very pleased and proud of the team effort here.

"This project is one of a suite of changes that is transforming the way that GDC works. It brings Council's financial management into the 21st Century. This is a key mechanism for ensuring we hit our rates rise containment targets".

The judges noted that the project had a clearly defined scope and the Council’s processes have significantly improved by using this system.

Led by project manager Marianne Gillies, and business intelligence developer and system designer Steve Neshausen, staff collaborated with the software owner to adapt existing products with no significant additional costs.

“In developing the system we focused on the desired outcomes, we weren't led by the constraints of the software.

“Ultimately FBI provides managers’ better understanding and ownership of their financial data. It allows for consistent statutory financial reporting and supports them to make better financial decisions with easy access to financial key indicators and trend information,” says Mr Vryenhoek,

FBI was designed for the Local Government environment and is already now used by other councils.

“I said last night how immensely proud I was of the team.

“Our talented and committed staff are making a difference to the way we operate as an organisation. We are making things smarter and easier, and making it happen.

“But it’s bigger than that, it really is our organisation showing there is a benefit to be gained from looking at things with a fresh set of eyes, not taking systems and processes as being that way, ‘just because’.

“We’re striving every day to improve the way we operate, ultimately for the benefit of the community we proudly serve,” said Mr Vryenhoek.

Gisborne District Council were also a finalist for their “Lync” project, a digital communications tool similar to Skype which replaced the Council’s telephone network.

“It is a significant piece of technological infrastructure and the roll-out was completed without disruption to our day to day operations.”

ENDS

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