Connecting Wales platform could help cut costs and achieve home-working targets
The shared communication and contact centre platform could be the quickest and most cost-efficient way for LA's to achieve 30% home-working aims.
The platform, Connecting Wales, was officially launched today in a virtual event by Welsh Government's Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James.
The platform is designed to allow contact centre agents, public sector employees and managers to access the same technology at home as in the office. Connecting Wales is powered by private sector partner, FourNet’s Community Cloud technology and uses the PSBA (Public Sector Broadband Aggregation) network.
Due to launch earlier this year, the event was delayed because of Covid-19. More public sector bodies have since joined the shared technology platform, in turn helping to launch other Covid-related services such as CAV24/7 and the Transport for Wales Fflecsi bus service.
Welsh Government has said it wants to give workers more flexibility to work remotely in future, with aims to hit a 30% home-working target. It suggests that this could drive regeneration and economic activity in communities across Wales post-Covid, as well as providing other economical and well-being benefits to employers and employees.
Rob Thomas, Managing Director of the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: “At the Vale Council, we are always looking to improve the ways we operate and deliver essential services. We're proud to be using this platform, which will help us achieve Welsh Government targets for remote working in future."
The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “The pandemic has changed how many of us work. Connecting Wales will allow more employees from across local authorities to work from home whilst maintaining key services for their communities.
“This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when local authorities and the public sector work together. It has allowed greater collaboration across local governments, increased innovation and better services for customers in both Welsh and English.”
Employers are also looking at other ways to facilitiate home-working on a larger scale, such as providing stable and efficient broadband connections.