Technical architecture adviser

The project issues
The Working With Business National Project was one of the ODPM-funded national projects, aimed at setting up a Single Business Account (SBA) that would enable improved interactions between businesses and local authorities. The SBA setup was a challenging task due to the different architectures within local authorities. The technical requirements were complex and had to ensure a consistent model capable of encompassing the many different components of the project.

The Socitm Consulting solution
Our role was to work jointly with different workstreams to document the defined architectural components and produce a generic technical architecture reference model. This would enable the integration of many different systems, including CMS, CRM and back-office systems, as well as other government departments and agencies. We worked closely with the Programme Office and different workstreams to advise on a cohesive architecture that can fulfil the disparate requirements of local authorities.

The architecture had to be loosely-coupled and provide the flexibility to enable adaptation to local environments. We provided a bridge between the different technical streams of the project to ensure the architecture caters for a wide range of systems, both large and small.

The benefits to the client
The technical architecture model provided a common reference point for all the components of the solution. This enabled common understanding across all workstreams and enabled the formation of a deployment model that is widely applicable, encompassing different local authority system infrastructures. In addition, the architecture provided a focal point for the QA activities to ensure effective rollout within live environments and consistent technical outputs.

Project identification
Client organisation: Barnsley MBC (for the Working With Business National Project)
Client contact: Ken Rutt, kenrutt@barnsley.gov.uk
Lead consultant: abdul.kayam@socitm.gov.uk
Project no: 4550