Platform Housing Group to modernize its Finance function with Proactis

Platform is one of the largest housing associations in the UK, with a portfolio of over 47,000 homes. The company has grown exponentially since its formation in 2018 and has ambitions to double in size over the next five years.

In line with this growth, the Group is undergoing a company-wide change program dedicated to modernizing its Finance function. Over £267 million is spent annually across over 1700 suppliers, with a total of 75,000 transactions processed through Purchase Orders last year with the number expected to grow year on year. As part of this digital transformation process, the company wanted a single solution for the Source-to-Pay process that could evolve as the company grows.

As part for Platform Housing's “Shaping Future Finance” project, the Proactis system will provide a controlled and transparent approach to how goods and services are bought across the group, and automation of many of its spend control processes.

"We need to eliminate redundant and inefficient processes from our Source-to-Pay processes," stated Rosemary Farrar, Platform Housing Group, CFO. "For example, using a central system to remove discrete supplier records around the business, which are uncontrolled and often out of date. We need to ensure that the right people have control of what we are buying and that our budget holders have visibility of purchase commitments to manage and track their budgets properly."

The capabilities of the Proactis end-to-end solution perfectly matched the company’s needs and expectations, in terms of process efficiency, vendor engagement and supplier relationship management, reporting, and integration with the company's new Microsoft Dynamics ERP system.

"We are delighted to be able to help Platform Housing Group with their vision to become a truly modern finance function. Our solution will provide a robust and scalable platform for future growth and agility." stated Lucy Fox, Chief Commercial Officer at Proactis.

“At Platform, we’re committed to continually investing in our technology to create great places to live so we’re excited to begin the journey with Proactis,” concluded Rosemary. “This technology transformation project will enable us to focus on controlling our spend and budgets, managing our contracts and removing risks in our supply chain in order to lay the foundation to reshape and future-proof our finance function on a platform for growth and innovation.”