TCS helps Scotland Improvement Service fast track digital transformation

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) said that it has been working with Scotland’s local government Improvement Service (IS) to fast track its digital transformation programs.

According to the Indian IT services provider, since the Covid-19 pandemic, local and national governments throughout Scotland have been pushing forward digitalization efforts, and have also sought to minimize physical touchpoints.

Martin Brown — Head of Digital Public Services at Scotland Improvement Service said: “The IS exists to provide leadership to Local Government and the wider system on improvement and transformation and, in turn, to make communities and peoples’ lives better across Scotland.

“By working closely with TCS, we are driving the digitisation of Scotland’s public services through intuitive online platforms, so those citizens willing and able to use technology can access the support they need. Digital transformation is happening at an incredible pace, and our digital initiatives will provide long-lasting benefits for people and for local communities.”

Tata Consultancy Services is said to have helped Scotland IS to achieve this goal by leveraging the DigiGOV framework, which helps enable digital services to be quickly set up, easier to access, and convenient to use. This includes Scotland’s multi-application smart card — the National Entitlement Card (NEC).

The Indian IT firm had collaborated with the Scottish organization for local government to create and launch GETYOURNEC.SCOT to reduce the burden of local councils during Covid-19 and to enhance the customer experience.

The portal lets users request and receive a National Entitlement Card and manage their account from any location that has an internet connection.

After a pilot program taken u alongside the West Lothian Council, 24 of the 32 local councils in Scotland have adopted the portal, with the other eight expected to follow.

The National Entitlement Card is being used by over 2.2 million citizens to access an array of local services, and national and local benefits such as concessions on travel for adults aged over 60, youth, and disabled citizens.

The Scottish multi-application smart card is also used to get discounts at leisure and retail establishments.

Tata Consultancy Services has also worked with Scotland IS to redesign its bisaccount.scot website by making use of DigiGOV to improve the online application process to allow businesses operating in the country to access vital financial assistance following the disruption caused by Covid-19.

Additionally, the Indian IT company is supporting the organization as it works with the Scotland government to find ways to increase the effectiveness of the dog control laws.

A proof of concept involving six councils as well as Police Scotland is said to have centralized the dog control notices effectively by using the TCS DeXAM platform, a digital platform for data exchange, analysis, and visualization.

Gopalan Rajagopalan — Head of Tata Consultancy Services Scotland said: “DigiGOV has enabled us to develop innovative proofs-of-concept and deliver integrated online services in very short timeframes that directly benefit the Scottish people. Our work with the IS shows how digital transformation isn’t just something that affects the business world but is actually about how we all live and work together in the community.”