You are in:
- Back Issues » September
Fraud-busting tools
Public sector fraud hit the headlines recently when credit-checking company Experian was selected by the Government to crack down on benefits fraud. While cutting Britain’s estimated £5.2 billion fraud bill is now more than ever an attractive idea, there are questions of privacy being raised by groups such as Big Brother Watch about directly involving the private sector. Jose Maria Sanchez de Muniain speaks with fraud specialist Paul Eagles of global analytics company SAS about some of the tools used by the finance sector, and finds out some of the challenges involved in placing these types of tools in the public sector.
Delivering mobile data in the police - a snapshot
Organised by Capita Conferences, Delivering Mobile Data in the Police took place in central London 15th June and was chaired by Mark Burns-Williamson, the Chairman of West Yorkshire Police Authority and Board Member of the Association of Police Authorities. Here are some of the highlights of a packed programme that embodied a good number of the mobile data challenges, lessons learned, and on-going projects taking place in the UK today.
Mobile phones: take control of your fleet
Mobile phones are a key tool within most organisations but just how well are they managed? Laura Wilkie of ttMobiles, a company that specialises in wireless expense management, regularly finds companies where 2% of mobile phones are being used by ex-employees and 14% of devices have not been used in three months. Embracing a mobile phone policy and taking charge of a mobile phone fleet can cut costs by 30% – something not to be sniffed at during austere times. BAPCO Journal reports.
Solutions in infrastructure: food for thought
Can cost savings be found by casting a fresh pair of eyes on your data/voice wide area network? Jose Maria Sanchez de Muniain speaks with George Windsor, technical sales account manager at Fibre Technologies, about the solutions that are available when it comes down to either an emergency service’s own network or a network leased from a traditional carrier.
Driving automation in telephony
The implementation of self-service telephony and automation is one way for organisations to realise savings and improve their interactions with the public. Jose Maria Sanchez de Muniain speaks to Joakim Hult, Senior Account Manager of automation specialist Telephonetics VIP, about a technology that could – given the opportunity – take a leading role in driving efficiencies by connecting with business processes.
Getting IT right
Since Pauline Smith MBE’s appointment as Head of Contact Centre Operations, Nottinghamshire Police has received a number of accolades including European Call Centre Award for Best Contact Management Improvement Strategy, and Emergency Services Team Manager of the Year Award by the Call Centre Management Association. Moreover, the force’s speed of answer rate for 999 calls has gone from 39th (out of 43) to 3rd – in addition to an estimated £1.25m in cost savings; 90% increase in speed of answer; and customer satisfaction rise of 12%. So what is the secret of Pauline Smith and Nottinghamshire Police's success?
We need to talk about handhelds
Government departments are facing crucial decisions this year – ones that are critical to future IT strategy – and there will be dire consequences if they make the wrong choices. Millions of pounds will be wasted on handsets and systems that may no longer be supported by manufacturers, software developers and operators, which will lead to even more millions to be spent on replacement infrastructure. So what exactly are the problems? Mobile telecom journalist and CTO of Condico, Tim Belfall, writes.
