Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor

Cutting the Wires

Mobile technology can and is transforming the delivery of service as recognised in the Cutting the Wires paper recently published by government think-tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN).

However, while full of good intentions regarding the deployment of mobile technology to improve the quality and relevance of service delivery to the citizen, the paper fundamentally fails to address the cost of mobilisation and the dangers associated with passing that cost down the supply chain.

Housing Associations and Local Authorities for whom there is a particular focus to adopt mobile technology in the management of emergency and routine repairs of property - cannot afford for small local contractors who form the backbone of this service delivery to walk away from public sector business due to the perceived cost of doing business.

Yet contractors that can deliver a good customer experience, based on good communication and information, can ensure Housing Associations and Local Authorities meet their public pledges while actually transforming the cost of delivery.

By adopting a pay-as-you-go mobile solution, which is both ease to use and to deploy, contractors can actually reduce this cost, transforming both the cost of doing business with government and the quality of service provided. Critically, a managed service provides organisations with a platform for embracing mobile technology without requiring a potentially business-breaking up front technology investment.

Instead of eschewing this latest public sector challenge, there is actually a very real opportunity for the forward-thinking contractor to attain real benefit while meeting the mobile objective.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Taylor

Managing Director - Impact Applications