South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SCAS) has signed a six-figure deal with the software and services company, Touchstone Group, to implement the web-enabled procurement application, PROACTIS.

SCAS was formed in 2006, following the merger of four individual ambulance trusts. Subsequently, there were four separate, non-integrated IT systems in use, which made efficient procurement problematic.

This prompted SCAS to investigate an e-procurement solution and the organisation turned to Touchstone Group for expert consultancy. Touchstone Group assessed SCAS’ existing infrastructure and considered its future requirements before identifying PROACTIS as the solution best able to meet SCAS’ needs.

PROACTIS will provide SCAS with a raft of benefits, including: operational, expenditure and management control; real-time performance management information capabilities to help inform the decision-making processes; and improved working practices to achieve cost savings that would ultimately benefit patients.

Touchstone Group won the competitive tender against other Office of Government Commerce-accredited (OGC) companies because of its extensive product offering and vast technical expertise. Also key to Touchstone Group’s selection was its long-standing experience working with public-sector organisations, affording the company an understanding that SCAS is accountable for its expenditure and must implement systems that deliver the best value possible.  

According to Charles Porter, Director of Finance and Estates, PROACTIS will overhaul SCAS’ purchasing and forecasting procedures and allow the Trust to get the most from it budgets. Porter has been impressed with the excellent customer service and technical support from Touchstone Group.

Adrian McNay, Group Board Director, Touchstone Group, adds: “SCAS represented a significant challenge because we needed to bring together the disparate procurement practises of four previously individual trusts and unite them via one online, scaleable solution.  “Because we have so much experience and knowledge in this area, we can ensure smooth integration with SCAS’ existing systems, and make sure its core IT systems will not be disrupted.”

For information on Touchstone Group’s services, see www.touchstone.co.uk

About Touchstone Group
Touchstone Group is a software and services company that provides integrated business software and consultancy services to companies primarily in the UK. It is quoted on the London Stock Exchange AIM market and has had year-on-year growth since it was created in 1982.

Touchstone provides a broad range of services and software applications including: ERP, CRM, Financial Management, Procurement/Spend Control, Documents Management and Business Intelligence; to clients in specialist sectors including:, Rental, Commodity Trading, Wealth Management, energy, financial services, high tech, hospitality and leisure, manufacturing, media and publishing, not-for-profit, and professional services.  

Clients include British Energy, the Bank of England, Rolls Royce Group, RNIB, Associated Press, Virgin Active and PwC

For more information, see www.touchstone.co.uk

About South Central Ambulance NHS Trust
SCAS provides a response to 999 medical emergency calls. Through investment in more staff, newer vehicles and improved ways of working it aims to reach emergencies even faster in the future, helping improve outcomes for patients and saving more lives.