The Department for Transport Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is a financial assistance program aimed at aiding eligible bus service operators and community transport organisations by offsetting a portion of their fuel costs. The amount of funding an operator receives is determined by their annual fuel consumption. Commercial operators receive a total of £200 million per year, community transport operators receive £3 million per year, and local authorities are allocated £43 million per year for tendered services.
This funding not only helps operators in keeping fares affordable for passengers but also enables them to sustain services that might otherwise be financially challenging, potentially preventing cancellations and ensuring the continued provision of accessible public transportation.
The problem
The legacy BSOG system had several issues that needed to be addressed. One of the primary issues was instability due to unavailable support for the infrastructure, which required time-consuming manual workarounds and hindered the team’s ability to enter and retrieve data to make payments.
The legacy platform caused operational problems, leading to problems with scalability, agility for change and accessibility for users.
Key issues identified in a technical analysis were:
- The current system lacked the capability to incorporate extra functionalities.
- The procedure for submitting claims and processing payments necessitated a substantial number of manual steps, leading to time and resource constraints.
- Challenges included the submission of claims via post or email with a proforma, followed by manual entry into the system leading to bottlenecks.
- There was a deficiency in the segregation of duties, impacting the assurance that distinct tasks were performed by separate individuals.
- Non-compliance with the Government Digital Service standards, and Technology Code of Practice.
The solution
To address the issues with the existing BSOG system, Goaco (previously known as Level 5) initiated a comprehensive digital transformation, developing a like-for-like replacement for the service. The aim was not only to address the existing challenges but also to enhance the system’s functionality and efficiency.
CI/CD Quality Assurance:
As a crucial aspect of the digital transformation, Goaco implemented a robust CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) process for Quality Assurance. This involved the integration of automated testing procedures into the development workflow, ensuring that every code change underwent rigorous testing before deployment. This practice significantly reduced the likelihood of introducing bugs or errors into the system and contributed to a more stable and reliable application.
Business Intelligence using PowerBI for Real-time Reporting:
Recognising the importance of data-driven decision-making, Goaco incorporated Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities into the new system. PowerBI, a powerful tool for data visualisation and analysis, was integrated to provide real-time reporting. This enabled stakeholders to generate insightful reports and dynamically interrogate data. The implementation of PowerBI empowered Goaco to make informed decisions, identify trends, and optimize the BSOG service based on actionable insights.
Custom Data Pipelines:
To ensure a seamless transition from the legacy platform to the new service, Goaco developed custom data pipelines using Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes. These pipelines were meticulously tested to facilitate the secure and accurate migration of data. The custom data pipelines not only ensured data integrity but also allowed for efficient data manipulation and transformation as part of the migration process, minimizing downtime and disruptions to the BSOG service.
Google Cloud Platform for Scalability, Robustness, and Security with SSO powered by AzureAD:
Goaco leveraged the capabilities of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to enhance the scalability, robustness, and security of the BSOG system. GCP’s infrastructure provided a foundation for seamless scaling based on demand, ensuring the system could handle varying workloads effectively. The integration with GCP also bolstered the overall robustness of the system, contributing to its reliability and performance.
Additionally, Goaco implemented Single Sign-On (SSO) functionality powered by Azure Active Directory (AzureAD) to enhance security measures. This allowed users to access the BSOG system with a single set of credentials, streamlining authentication processes and improving overall system security.
Goaco’s digital transformation not only addressed the existing challenges of the BSOG system but also introduced key enhancements such as CI/CD for Quality Assurance, PowerBI for real-time reporting, custom data pipelines, and the adoption of Google Cloud Platform with SSO powered by AzureAD. These integrated components collectively contributed to a more efficient, secure, and data driven BSOG service.
The result
Goaco’s Successful Delivery of an Advanced Grants Management System for the Department for Transport in the Bus Sector.
As a part of our commitment to innovation, Goaco recently implemented a cutting-edge Grants Management System to oversee multiple grant schemes for the Department for Transport within the Bus Sector. This transformative system has not only modernized operations but has also yielded substantial benefits.
Key Achievements:
Efficient and Scalable System Deployment:
Goaco successfully deployed a Grants Management System that stands out for its stability, efficiency, and scalability. The system complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AAA, ensuring an inclusive and accessible service for managing Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) applications.
Automated Processes and Cost Savings:
The new system has significantly reduced manual processes by over 50%, resulting in substantial time and cost savings for taxpayers. This increased efficiency underscores Goaco’s dedication to streamlining operations and maximizing resource utilization.
Enhanced Reporting and Data Analysis:
By introducing improved reporting and data interrogation capabilities, the new system facilitates in-depth analysis and a comprehensive understanding of the collected data. This empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions and optimize processes based on actionable insights.
Key Impacts and Stats:
Increased Efficiency: The implementation of the new grant management system has led to a notable increase in efficiency by reducing the dependence on manual processes, thus saving valuable time and costs.
Improved Reporting: The system’s enhanced reporting functionalities contribute to better data analysis, promoting a deeper understanding of the collected data and fostering data-driven decision-making.
Stable and User-Friendly Platform: Goaco’s meticulous development has resulted in a stable and user-friendly platform. This ensures a reliable foundation for managing BSOG payments, contributing to a positive user experience.
Goaco’s successful delivery of the Grants Management System signifies a pivotal step in digital transformation. The system not only addresses the operational challenges of the Bus Sector but also aligns with modern accessibility standards, ultimately benefiting both efficiency and user satisfaction. This accomplishment underscores Goaco’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that positively impact the public sector.
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