Unit4 and Embridge Consulting Extend Partnership; Celebrate Joint Public Sector Successes

Unit4, a cloud leader in enterprise software for people-centred organisations, and Embridge Consulting, today announced joint public sector successes and successful first half of fiscal year 2020.

Unit4 and Embridge were recently chosen by Cherwell District Council. Through Unit4 ERP, the Council wants to take a more strategic, performance management approach to budgets and finances serving its growing population of almost 150,000. At the same time, it aims to develop operationally, delivering a new user experience as it undergoes a wider program of transformation. Working with Embridge, Cherwell can remain sufficiently flexible to configure the system to the local needs and the shape of the Council.   

Following a thorough tender process, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council will also benefit from Unit4’s latest SaaS ERP via a single shared system implemented by Embridge. Since the shared service arrangement has been in operation, the councils have continued to use their own, siloed, finance systems. The aspiration is to operate a single shared finance and procure to pay system with the same configuration and operational processes for both councils, ensuring up to date and consistent reporting for the Councils and their managers. Both authorities are undergoing a transformation in the way employees work, moving towards more agile working, which includes working outside traditional core hours and away from the office. Embridge and Unit4 will deliver a solution that automates as many processes as possible, delivering a self-service approach, supporting new ways of working and empowering their people to take decisive action.

All Councils wanted to ensure limited customisation and will benefit from the Unit4 Public Sector Model implementation blueprint that delivers out-of-the-box best practices and rapid time to value.

Embridge has developed a flexible and innovative range of services and a wealth of knowledge developing and implementing Unit4 ERP, working with a range of customers in the Public Sector and Professional Services. Successfully working together in partnership since 2015, Embridge and Unit4 have delivered many recent project successes including Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, New Forest District Council, and integrating Guildford Council’s front and back office ERP solutions using Unit4’s microservices architecture.

In late 2019, Embridge and Unit4 expanded its partnership where Embridge will now begin to sell and implement Unit4 FP&A.

The solution, sold globally, encompasses Performance Management (CPM) and Business Intelligence (BI) solutions for corporate planning, budgeting, forecasting, data analysis, dashboarding and reporting.

In June, Embridge was awarded Elite Partner status by Unit4 in recognition of its great people and outcome-based approach to working with customers. An Elite Partner is the highest level of partnership awarded by Unit4 based on experience and customer satisfaction.

Comments on the partnership

Beata Wright, Global Head of Ecosystems at Unit4: “The expertise of specialists like Embridge Consulting is being sought increasingly by organisations looking to take strategic advantage of new technology and digital advancement. They have delivered a number of successful projects for our customers this year already, who will benefit from the extended services and technical and business expertise they provide.”

Emma O’Brien, Founder, Embridge Consulting: “Unit4 is very focused on developing its global partner eco-system, and we’re dedicated to servicing new and existing clients with our experienced and passionate team of consultants. Our value-added services, including our Managed ERP Platform, comprehensive training services and complementary products, along with our strong track record working on many successful Unit4 ERP implementations across various sectors, position us well for future success together.”

James Arvin, Sales Director, Public Sector at Unit4: “Partnering with Embridge Consulting has cemented our long-standing position as the market leader for ERP solutions to UK Local Government and we are proud to be part of such a transformative project. It is great to know our solutions are connecting, informing, and engaging teams and stakeholders, such as Guildford Borough Council’s effectively and efficiently.”