Kent signs £23m digital services contract with Agilisys

Kent County Council has signed a six-year contract with Agilisys to operate its digital services and contact centre.

As part of the contract, which is worth £23m, Kent will use Agilisys’ Digital and Engage platforms to modernise its digital channels and make it easier for people to interact with the council.

The council’s leader, Paul Carter, said it wants to offer an “enhanced experience for the people of Kent when they need to access Kent County Council's services and contact point”.

“As a result we will also be able to identify even greater savings through improved processes, giving the taxpayers better value for money,” he said.

The deal will also see 170 staff members from the council transferred to Agilisys, which will continue to operate services from within the county.

“Plans are already underway to ensure staff will be supported throughout the transition and services will be unaffected,” said Carter.

Kent County Council states that under its current leadership “it has already taken bold and decisive steps” to address its financial challenges and transform the way it operates.

In 2014, the council awarded a six-year contract for its public services network management to Daisy Updata Communications (DUCL).

The contract saw Daisy Updata – a joint venture between unified communications supplier Daisy and public sector network integrator Updata, part of services powerhouse Capita – take overall charge of KPSN, which was established in 2008 through a partnership between Kent’s local authorities and other public sector organisations.