Purpose

Unit 4 Business World is the software provider
for the Council’s main financial accounting system. It
provides the foundation for managing its financial transactions and
financial reporting, including its Statutory Accounts, Returns to
Government and other Statutory Authorities.
The Council, as part of the initial implementation of the Unit 4
Business World system in 2012, purchased a ‘perpetual’
site license. The system is currently hosted in the Microsoft Azure
cloud and maintenance and support is provided by Agilisys (level
1

Content

‘Lift and Shift’ would allow the
Council to continue to use its current ERP7 software (configuration
and functionality) but, within 6 months of the agreement date, it
would need to transition to ERP7 Cloud Step One software (‘As
Is’) but which then would be hosted within the Unit 4 private
cloud with all support and maintenance provided by them. This
timeline would fit with the contract end date for the current
hosting and support and maintenance arrangements that end 30/11/24.
The next step would be to plan for the move to SAAS by
1/1/26.

Alternative options considered

The Council has been using the Unit 4 Business
world software since 2012 and holds a perpetual site license for
the software. The software provides the foundation for the
recording of all financial transactions originating and interfacing
from other financial business applications. To move away from this
current target operating model (that meets the business and
financial needs of the Council) would be a significant change that
would need significant investment of financial and other resources.
This decision shouldn’t be taken lightly and would ideally be
done in accordance with the corporate planning and financial
framework.
By taking up the option for ‘Lift and Shift’ the
Council will retain the opportunity to ensure a diligent and
inclusive approach to determining its future financial systems
strategy. This can be undertaken with the knowledge that the
council is able to maintain its current configuration and
functionality, security and governance settings, support and
maintenance arrangements and user experience.