The BBC is looking to upgrade its complete Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) suite in a bid to improve its business intelligence and operational functionality and lift the UK TV broadcaster out of the dark ages.
In an exclusive interview with Computing magazine, BBC CTO John Linwood pointed out the ERP estate was in dire need of a refresh, and said the broadcaster’s current procurement exercise to replace and upgrade to modern standards would lift functionality to new heights. The BBC currently runs SAP but is talking to a range of key ERP vendors.
Among key objectives identified for the ERP upgrade are better business intelligence, reporting and analytics, Linwood said. The organisation also wants to provide access to these services on mobile devices and via remote access.
Linwood said it is also looking at cloud HR system vendors to help with people and skills management and named PeopleSoft and SAP acquisition SuccessFactors as vendors it was evaluating. This push is aimed at empowering managers and staff by better managing data and environments.
The BBC is also looking to introduce more flexibility into its technology procurement contracts, and move away from long duration vendor relationships to contracts of four to five years only, Linwood said.
Read the full story on the BBC here.
Follow CFO World Australia on Twitter: @CFOworld_AU, or take part in the CFO World conversation on LinkedIn: CFO World.
Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.