HUMAN ENGINE LIMITED

Procurement Software Review and Optimisation

Working with public sector organisations, we use our comprehensive experience of procurement software solutions to review current systems and assess suitability. We ensure they are being used optimally by internal teams and assess whether processes can be adapted for improvement or whether these is a better suited, alternative solution.

Features

• Procurement software utilisation and optimisation
• Procurement software review and options appraisal for alternative solutions
• Procurement software transition and implementation
• Process streamlining and improvement
• Data-set integration
• Enhanced data analytics and reporting
• Software and processes to support procurement and strategic objectives
• Opportunities for automation
• Specification development
• Market and supplier testing

Benefits

• Optimised procurement software systems and processes
• Improved data quality, analytics and reporting
• More informed decision making
• Streamlined processes and removing duplication of inputs
• Reduces user input time
• Improved efficiency
• Substantial cost reductions
• Improved supplier management
• Better contract management
• Migration to cloud-based solutions

£400 to £1,250 a unit a day

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at procurement@human-engine.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

649492507324569

Contact

Michael Curnow
0203 538 7822
procurement@human-engine.co.uk

Planning

• Planning service: Yes
• How the planning service works: Our team work with the public sector to assess the current performance, usage and suitability of procurement technologies (most being cloud based or partly cloud based). Our core experience is within local government, central government and the NHS. Once we have carried out our initial assessment and detailed ways in which the team can optimise usage of the current system, reducing hand offs, streamlining processes and facilitating increased access and data sharing. We also validate the suitability of the current system to support the current service delivery model suitability to fit strategic direction of travel. If this model is not suitable, we work with the in-house team to develop a detailed specification and to test the market for appropriate solutions. We develop a roadmap which identifies the best method and associated timescales to move away from the existing system to a more appropriate solution that better meets the service needs. There will be performance and financial benefits associated with moving to the new system and as part of our role we create the business case, project plan and associated actions to ensure that the move is a success and the benefits are realised.
• Planning service works with specific services: No

Training

• Training service provided: Yes
• How the training service works: Our team provide flexible, tailored and cost-effective end-user training solutions. Our training packages are focused on the use of procurement software within the public sector. They have proven particularly useful when organisations have been interested in implementing a new system, upgrading an existing one or deploying improved processes. We also offer business-as-usual (BAU) refresher training solutions to teams looking to optimise usage and improve workflow. Our team are knowledge in best practice for procurement and our associated training is based on practical experience. Our packages ensure that users are fully trained on the functionality of the system and can utilise this in the most effective way. We support the optimisation of processes including reviewing forms to streamline and integrate. Our training packages ensure that local authorities achieve substantial return on investment and deploy efficiency and compliant procurement practices. Our team understand the way the system works and how best to use to achieve maximum benefit. Moreover, we have a proven, tried and tested methodology for training which is replicable across different systems. We utilise a mixture of tools and methods and combine this with our expertise to ensure any new or revised processes are adopted and embedded.
• Training is tied to specific services: No

Setup and migration

• Setup or migration service available: Yes
• How the setup or migration service works: After completing an initial review of procurement software, if there is a better suited solution, we work with the in-house team to develop a detailed specification and then test the market. Once the optimum solution is identified, we create a migration and set up plan. This can include moving from a non-cloud system to a cloud system or migrating between cloud systems. Our team will identify which is the optimum cloud solution, and then create a detailed project plan including actions, roles and responsibilities costings, timescales and the likely return on investment in terms of performance and financial outcomes. We work with internal teams to set up and migrate to the new systems, away from the legacy system. Our team ensure that this is done with minimal disruption to the current service, we have done this for complex organisations including councils, central government and the NHS, where it is essential migration runs smoothly. We have expertise in supporting teams to undertake data cleansing in the most efficient way. We work with Performance, IT and wider stakeholders to plan for data cleansing and reduce manual intervention required.
• Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services: No

Quality assurance and performance testing

• Quality assurance and performance testing service: Yes
• How the quality assurance and performance testing works: Our team support internal teams to ensure systems are perform well under existing workload and are suitable for the organisation. We assess all current features and functionality supported by a software system to ensure they are being used correctly by internal teams but also that they are operating correctly as they should. Key elements of a systems performance that we assess include its response time, reliability, resource usage and scalability. The focus of our work is to identify and eliminate performance bottlenecks, improve process efficiency, the usage and the user experience (and outputs from the system). There are four core areas of our approach to quality assurance and performance testing: Speed - Determines whether the system can respond quickly enough to meet the need of the service Scalability - Determines maximum user load the system can handle and whether this is suitable Suitability - Determines whether the system used has all necessary functionality and truly meets the needs of the service Stability - Determines if the application is stable under varying loads We can provide quality assurance and performance testing for existing systems or post migration to a new solution.

Security testing

• Security services: No

Ongoing support

• Ongoing support service: Yes
• Types of service supported:
  • Buyer hosting or software
  • Hosting or software provided by your organisation
• How the support service works: We will work with you to find the most suitable hosting for your needs. We have good relationships with a number of platform vendors . We also have expertise with configuring Amazon AWS services. For UK specific hosting we have a good working relationship with a selected few vendors but can work with any vendor.

Service scope

• Service constraints: Helpdesk support available within office hours Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30 (not including Bank Holidays)

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: Email support available within office hours Mon-Fri 08.30-17:30 (not including Bank Holidays)
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: No
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: No
• Support levels: We provide a range of support levels tailored to user needs. Helpdesk support available within office hours Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30 (not including Bank Holidays). Minimum response time of as little as 30 minutes. We provide a Business Support Manager to operate your contract and ensure our service levels are kept, and that you have regular dialogue with our team to ensure you are getting the service you require.

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: No
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Other security certifications: No

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Covid-19 recovery
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  We minimise the impact of our business activities on the environment by using remote working tools and supporting technology. We have a comprehensive Environmental policy which promotes green practices. Although we largely work remotely and our impact is limited, we will offset any carbon emissions through delivery of our projects. We will use the http://www.carbon-calculator.org.uk/ to work out our emissions and make a donation to more than cover any carbon cost.

  Covid-19 recovery

  During the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, we faced the same dilemmas as many businesses. The choices we made were to: Compromise on profits in order to protect jobs; we haven’t furloughed a single member of staff or made any redundancies. In fact, we have continued to recruit through our graduate scheme and for permanent positions. Protect our core partners in our supply chain wherever possible, to ensure their financial sustainability. Focus on controlling costs where possible, rather than apply for government grants. Pay our taxes on time without any deferments. Engage with the Government’s ‘Kickstart’ scheme to provide employment for young people struggling to gain employment. Moreover, we are providing various pro-bono, social value initiatives through our project work which are focused on a wide range of support. These includes providing training and skills development for SMEs, VCS and public sector bodies as well as career mentoring and support for individuals who have lost their jobs during COVID-19.

  Tackling economic inequality

  Human Engine provides a range of social value initiatives to help tackle economic inequality, these include providing: Pro-bono resources and specialist support/expertise to public sector bodies, SMEs and chosen VCS enterprises Paid and unpaid work experience as part of our contracts/client work, including for Vulnerable Groups e.g. Care Leavers/NEETs/Learning Disabled. Mentoring/advice to vulnerable groups including job application support. Pro-bono training to Councils, SMEs and VCS organisations, e.g. commercial training or support in bidding/tendering for work offered by public sector. Hosting events at no charge, and provide on-going business support to out clients and their partners.

  Equal opportunity

  Human Engine recognise that the above inequality challenges are present across the private sector including the consultancy sector. Human Engine champions fairness, dignity and respect within and outside of our organisation. This is outlined in the organisations’ Equality and Diversity Policy which all permanent staff and associates follow. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we work to promote an inclusive environment, free from bullying, harassment or discrimination. Human Engine have an appointed Equalities Officer that oversees the business delivery and is charged with reviewing delivery and behaviours through an Equality Diversion and Inclusion (EDI) lens. Again, this is within a forward thinking, ambitious operating environment that encourages critique and improvement on an ongoing basis. Flexible and remote working – our employees are home based and we have embraced remote working, even before the pandemic. We use technology to support this. Furthermore, we also offer flexible working in terms of hours and days worked and offer part time roles to employees. Reasonable adjustments – we offer these to employees wherever possible to make it possible for them to do the role. Pay is performance based and based on the mid-year and full year appraisals, which are skills and competency based. As a minimum, we pay the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended wage to all employees. We run an annual Graduate programme aimed at getting those new to the workforce into employment. Further to inductions where our policies are relayed to new starters, we deliver strategic annual training on equality and diversity. We recruit from a variety of places include job sites, LinkedIn, local press, recruitment agencies, universities and colleges etc. to try and present our job opportunities to as wide an audience as possible. We use standardised interviews and skills-based assessments to recruit to remove potential biases.

  Wellbeing

  The health and wellbeing of our employees is incredibly important to Human Engine and we do everything that we can to support our team including through the development of a Health and Wellbeing strategy, We ensure that all employees are able to work in a safe and healthy environment and that we are compliant with all health and safety legislation. We work to ensure safe systems of work are implemented and to safeguard employees’ health and wellbeing. Our leadership engages with staff to promote and enhance employee health and wellbeing. We have developed effective recruitment, staff development and training strategies. We recognise work stress amongst staff and offering necessary support/control measures. We have also implemented an effective return to work policies following staff illness/absence from work. We operate flexible and remote working – our employees are home based and we have embraced remote working, even before the pandemic. We use technology to support this. Furthermore, we also offer flexible working in terms of hours and days worked and offer part time roles to employees. We make reasonable adjustments and offer these to employees wherever possible to make it possible for them to do the role. Human Engine has a culture that where problems arise they are quickly identified and solution considered against an individual’s needs. We are also focused on wider human resource initiatives such as widening participation and equality and diversity.

Pricing

• Price: £400 to £1,250 a unit a day
• Discount for educational organisations: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at procurement@human-engine.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.