cloud expertise Archives - de Novo Solutions

Author: Richard Twelvetrees, Experience & Value Enablement Director, de Novo Solutions

Multi-Academy Trusts (MAT) today are heavily focused on achieving effective sustainable growth. Committing precious funding, resource, energy, and time toward exploring how best to ‘grow’ and strengthen the organisation’s various experiences to benefit Pupils, Staff, or other educational stakeholders alike.

Optimising Central Services: The Hub and Spoke Model

Digital technology is a critical conversation to hold when enabling MAT effective growth. However, technology is not a magic bullet.

To achieve meaningful growth, MATs must ensure efficient traction to journey successfully toward triumph. A MATs transformational process needs to confidently embrace a review of the existing operating model, challenging the evolution of central services (back-office) advancement to deliver meaningful change, increase value, and improve quality.

Balancing Finance and People Management for Efficient Growth

Revisiting the best approach for the MAT ‘Hub and Spoke’ service delivery mechanism will mean re-evaluating which services are performed centrally to save time, money, effort, and resource and which services remain at a federated school academy level. Balancing MAT Finance and People Management services execution is pivotal to deliver efficient growth, provide the best experiences moving forward and resulting in the most efficient leveraging of technology innovations.

Supporting MAT Growth with Modern Cloud-Based Technologies

At de Novo Solutions, we assist our MAT clients in fulfilling their ambitions for effective growth by providing expert advice on modern cloud-based digital technology transformation supporting the critical delivery of MAT-wide people and finance management services modernization. Our six-step growth planner will help MATA readers plan and execute effective conversations when exploring growth.

Developing a Unified Vision Across Academies

Ensure all academies within the MAT participate in the formulation and understanding of a unified vision that spans the complete organization. The vision is essential to guide all growth-related decisions. The vision should establish value markers (see the efficiency and utilization targets below), and through regular communication, the MAT’s vision is shared with stakeholders, including staff, pupils, and parents to foster vision adoption along with progression monitoring markers

Operational Efficiency

KPI: Cost per Student

Below Average Savings: 3-5% (low of £142,200)
Average Savings: 5-10%
Above Average Savings: 10-15% (high of £711,000)

Example: A MAT spends £5,000 per student annually. Below average savings would result in savings of £150-£250 per student Average savings would result in savings of £250-£500 per student Above average savings would result in savings of £500-£750 per student.

Multiplier is 948. 948 is average number of pupils per secondary school (Department for Education (DfE) for the academic year 2022/2023

Resource Utilisation

KPI: Utilisation Rate of Shared Resources

Below Average Savings: 5-10% (low of £SOK)
Average Savings: 10-15%
Above Average Savings: 15-20% (high of £200K+)

Example: A MAT annual budget for shared resources is £1m. Below average savings would result in savings of £50K-£100K. Average savings would result in savings of £100K-£150K. Above average savings would result in savings of £1S0K-£200K+.

Tailoring Growth Strategies to Address Specific Need

Identify specific needs and gaps across the MAT organisation to tailor and right-size the growth strategy. Establishing priorities and goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) will lead to effective strategic goal progress monitoring. Growth plans must connect technology, process, and people alongside service delivery to deliver a flexible and resilient strategic framework that can accommodate expansion and innovation without compromising the quality of educational service experiences.

Enhancing Engagement and Learning Outcomes through Technology

Deploying robust People and Finance Management services will improve efficiency and transparency. Cloud-based technologies such as Oracle Cloud or ServiceNow are powerful and play a vital role in supporting growth and improvement of MAT operations. Process simplification, adopting leading delivered best practices, and harnessing Odyssea (de Novo Solutions MAT Industry ready solution) will help expedite delivery, reduce cost, and improve the efficiency of People and Finance Management services.

Collaborating for Realistic Growth Scenario Planning

Exploring and evaluating new technology will enhance engagement and improve learning outcomes for all. The delivery of quality, consistent experiences across academies and central services is important for successful People and Finance Management services. Growth plans that are enriched with structured, engaging, and personalised experiences will ensure the diverse and evolving needs of stakeholders are addressed, promoting MAT inclusivity and equal opportunities at every stage.

Work in partnership with other local MAT organisations to learn about their own digital transformation journey experiences will assist with realistic growth scenario planning. Providing regular communication across the community on academy and MAT growth ambition will continuously improve and strengthen flexible development strategies and help people understand the traction achieved and the distance on the journey that remains.

Embracing Digital Transformation for MATs

Conducting regular reviews on the plan for effective growth will assist in identifying areas for improvement, areas to be replicated and cascaded and those to be ended. Data and analytics will inform decision-making processes and measure the impact of growth. Feedback will assist with service improvement; help deliver course correction to ensure the navigation remains on path and arrives on time and on budget securing the right organisational outcomes for all.

To learn more about de Novo Solutions or our leading services that include: Odyssea™ for Multi-Academy Trusts -for’ fixed price, fixed scope, and fixed timescale digital transformations (People / HR Management, Payroll, Talent Management, Finance Management, Procurement, Financial Planning and Reporting) powered by Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technologies support service. Or to explore Value as a Service™ (VaaS™) our managed support service that enables our MAT clients to maximise their Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technology investments using four dimensions to monitor value and benefit spanning – optimisation, efficiency, adoption and innovation. Please visit: Odyssea™ for Multi-Academy Trusts or follow de Novo on Linkedin and Twitter.

Ready to embark on your journey to sustainable MAT growth?

Unlock MAT Excellence with Odyssea™

Experience Value as a Service™ (VaaS™)

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 20th March 2024 — Leading Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital transformation consultancy, de Novo Solutions, has been recognised for its impressive growth, having secured the ‘Exceptional Performance of the Year Award’ at the prestigious Elite Business Top 100 Awards.

Headquartered in Newport, South Wales, de Novo Solutions is at the forefront of digital transformation innovation in the experience economy, having successfully developed and introduced a range of new solutions to market since in its official launch in 2021, including its next generation managed services offering, ‘Value as a Service™’ [VaaS™] for Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow applications.

In February 2024, the digital transformation consultancy was ranked 7th amongst the UK’s Top 100 small-to-medium sized enterprises [SMEs] by Elite Business, in recognition of its remarkable sales and growth metrics, commitment to technological innovation, and active involvement in community engagement initiatives.

All 100 businesses listed were invited to attend a prestigious awards ceremony in London on 13th of March 2024, where de Novo Solutions joined the crème de la crème of the UK SME community.

Here, the fast-growing digital consultancy won the ‘Exceptional Performance of the Year Award’ in recognition of its impressive growth, having accelerated turnover to £4.8 million in under 3 years, with £1m in recurring revenues, and increased headcount to 65+ over the last 12 months alone – marking an exceptional third year in business.

Scott English, Brand Director at Elite Business, shares his enthusiasm for de Novo Solutions, stating, “This brand is the future in the world of digital transformation, particularly in Finance, Procurement, HR, and Payroll solutions. You can see such a great team of passionate individuals who share a commitment to innovation and a vision for the future of work. Great to see such a fast-growing, award-winning company full of purpose giving back to the local economy and community. They are true pioneers in their industry, what an exciting company to be involved with for the future.”

Discussing this prestigious accolade, Mark Sweeny, Founder and Chief Executive of de Novo Solutions, said: “Over the last 12 months, the de Novo Solutions team has worked incredibly hard to develop new and innovative solutions that deliver true value to our growing client base. We were delighted to be ranked amongst the top 10 SMEs in February, but to be recognised for our dedication and hard work in winning the ‘Exceptional Performance of the Year’ Award is a true honour and something we are incredibly proud of. We now look forward to building on this success for a bigger and better 2024.”

For more information about the EB100 awards, please visit: Top 100 awards celebrate the best in small business – Elite Business Magazine

Media Contact
Hannah Haffield
hhaffield@makemorenoise.co.uk
0121 594 0712 / 07939 468 567

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 5th March 2024 — Mark Sweeny, the visionary founder and chief executive of leading Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital transformation consultancy de Novo Solutions, has been honoured with a prestigious award at this year’s Business Consultancy Awards. A serial tech entrepreneur, Mark was named as the winner in the ‘Industry Leader in UK Business Consultancy’ category, recognising his outstanding leadership and pioneering efforts in driving transformative change within the industry whilst promoting the Welsh Technology scene.

Judges were impressed by Mark’s forward-thinking vision and strategic decision to harness the power of Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technologies in creating industry cloud solutions for Government, Local Government and Multi-Academy Trusts in the Education sector, positioning de Novo as the only SME organisation in the UK to date to do so. The panel also commended the significant growth achieved by the business under Mark’s leadership, alongside the innovative service offerings and initiatives he has spearheaded, including the introduction of their transformative solutions, Odyssea™ and Value as a Service™:

• Odyssea™ represents a revolutionary industry cloud solution developed by the company, signifying a transformative approach to Oracle Cloud implementation. It provides rapid deployment, pre-configured industry-aligned processes, and a streamlined three-step methodology.
• Value as a Service™ provides next-gen managed cloud support, ensuring clients enjoy continuous improvement and success, comprehensive managed service support, and a measured approach to tracking digital transformation value.

Speaking about the win, Mark said: “I’m delighted to have been named among the winners at this year’s Business Consultancy Awards. This achievement is not only hugely significant for me personally but is also a great validation of all the hard work and dedication that the de Novo team has put into making the business the amazing success that it is today. This recognition further underscores our collective commitment to driving positive change and delivering exceptional results for our clients, whilst promoting the many benefits of the Welsh technology ecosystem”.

For more information about the awards, please visit: Business Awards UK.

Media Contact
Hannah Haffield
hhaffield@makemorenoise.co.uk
0121 594 0712 / 07939 468 567

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 13th February 2024 — Leading Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital transformation consultancy, de Novo Solutions, has been awarded the Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. This accreditation reaffirms de Novo’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity and ensuring the utmost protection for its clients’ sensitive data.

Cyber Essentials, established by the National Cyber Security Centre, is a globally recognised certification, indicating that an organisation has implemented essential cybersecurity controls to protect against common cyber threats. This accreditation involves a rigorous assessment of an organisation’s IT infrastructure, covering areas such as firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection, and patch management.

Its second-tier accreditation, Cyber Essentials Plus, requires a business to undergo a more extensive analysis of an organisation’s security measures. This includes comprehensive assessments such as a vulnerability scan and penetration testing by an independent approved third party. Achieving this accreditation offers additional assurance to customers, partners and suppliers that their systems and data are highly secure.

For de Novo’s clients, this advanced accreditation offers several key benefits:

Enhanced Security — Clients can have confidence that de Novo has implemented robust cybersecurity measures to protect their sensitive information from cyber threats.
Compliance Assurance — Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation demonstrates de Novo’s compliance with industry-recognised cybersecurity standards, providing assurance to clients and stakeholders.
Reduced Risk — By partnering with a Cyber Essentials Plus accredited organisation, clients can reduce their exposure to cyber risks and vulnerabilities, safeguarding their reputation and business continuity.
Peace of Mind — Clients can focus on their core business activities with the peace of mind that comes from knowing their cybersecurity needs are in capable hands.

As cyber threats continue to evolve and become increasingly sophisticated, cybersecurity remains a top priority for organisations across all industries. de Novo’s attainment of Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation reaffirms its commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats and ensuring the highest levels of protection for its clients.

Ian Carline, Chief Technology and Data Protection Officer of de Novo Solutions, confirmed: “This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to cybersecurity excellence. By obtaining Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting our clients’ valuable data and ensuring the highest standards of security across our operations. We are now currently working towards ISO 27001 certification and are making excellent progress. We eagerly anticipate announcing its completion very soon. This milestone will further assure our clients of our efforts to protect their data and ensure seamless business continuity.”

Since its official launch in 2021, de Novo Solutions has successfully developed and introduced a range of new solutions to market. This includes its next generation managed services offering, ‘Value as a Service™’ [VaaS™] for Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow applications. Additionally, the company has introduced its innovative industry cloud solutions, Odyssea™, driven by Oracle Cloud and designed to meet the needs of a range of sectors such as Local, Central Government and the Higher Education Sector – Multi-Academy Trusts.

Media Contact

Hannah Haffield
hhaffield@makemorenoise.co.uk
0121 594 0712 / 07939 468 567

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 2nd February 2024 — Leading Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital transformation consultancy, de Novo Solutions, has been named among the top 10 in the UK’s Top 100 small-to-medium sized enterprises [SMEs] in the UK by Elite Business, a leading publication for SMEs and high-growth companies.

The Wales-based company, which specialises in the implementation and support of cutting-edge Finance, Procurement, HR and Payroll solutions, has been ranked seventh overall in the 2024 Elite Business 100 (EB100). This annual league table serves as a definitive celebration of business excellence in the UK.

Now in its second year, the competition has witnessed a substantial increase in the number of applicants compared to 2023. The judges noted that de Novo Solutions stands out as a true leader in the SME sector due to its remarkable sales and growth metrics, commitment to technological innovation, and active involvement in community engagement initiatives.

Piers Linney, former investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den and Co-Founder of Implement AI, said, “The EB100 is evidence of the overwhelming entrepreneurial spirit in Britain. Across every sector, we have seen truly impressive businesses that are devoted to achieving in all areas.”

On the evening of the 13th of March 2024, de Novo Solutions will join the crème de la crème of the UK SME community at the prestigious awards ceremony in St Paul’s, London. The event will serve as a platform to honour the UK’s top-performing businesses and share insights into their success stories.

“de Novo Solutions are innovators in the British SME community and deserve the spotlight shone on them from the Elite Business 100,” said Scott English, Brand Director of Elite Business. “This definitive league illustrates the crème de la crème of UK SMEs”.

Mark Sweeny, Founder and Chief Executive at de Novo Solutions, said, “It is a genuine honour for us to be acknowledged within the top 10 of the Elite Business 100. This remarkable achievement is yet another testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and making a positive impact in the community. We are very excited to be attending the awards ceremony and extend our heartfelt thanks for the recognition bestowed upon us by the judges of the Elite Business 100.”

To view the full EB100 list, click here: https://elitebusinessmagazine.co.uk/eb100.

Media Contact

Hannah Haffield
hhaffield@makemorenoise.co.uk
0121 594 0712 / 07939 468 567

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 23rd January 2024 — Leading Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital transformation consultancy, de Novo Solutions, has announced the appointment of Ramya Govindarajan as Vice President of de Novo Solutions India Pvt. Ltd, effective 15 January 2024.

Ramya will be responsible for all aspects of de Novo’s India Operations and follows the company’s recent disclosure regarding expanding its delivery capability in Chennai, India underscoring its strategic focus upon growth and affirming its commitment to leading in technological innovation and providing cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving needs of its clients.

Ramya, a seasoned leader in enterprise digital transformation will report directly to recently appointed Tom Mann, Senior Vice President, Client Services. Ramya brings over two decades of experience in successfully leading large and complex transformation programmes as a trusted client advisor and solutions architect, both in the context of large multinational companies as well as the UK and European Public Sector organizations. Her strategic vision, technical proficiency, and leadership skills make her a valuable addition to de Novo Solutions’ leadership team as the company expands internationally.

Mark Sweeny, Founder and Chief Executive of de Novo Solutions, confirmed: “I have known Ramya for over a decade and have had the pleasure of working with her in my previous business Certus Solutions, so I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Ramya back into our team. Her appointment is a fantastic milestone for de Novo, with Ramya taking responsibility for leading our operations in India. I have no doubt that we’re in for an exciting journey of enhancing our innovation and delivery capabilities as we grow our business in India. This really is an incredibly exciting development for de Novo. It’s a step that not only will allow us to double our size over the next 12 months but will also allow us to accelerate our investments in new and innovative service propositions using Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technologies”.

Ramya Govindarajan, VP of India Operations at de Novo Solutions, said: “It’s truly exciting to be joining the de Novo Solutions family and to be working with Mark and the team once again. Having had the privilege of working together at Certus, I’ve witnessed firsthand Mark’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Chennai, is home to some of the top Universities, has strong infrastructure and is a hub for exceptional tech talent. I am confident that the Chennai centre of excellence will complement the exceptional talent in the UK and I am excited about the opportunities that our combined teams can unlock. I look forward to working together to drive innovation and contribute to the continued success of de Novo.”

Headquartered in Langstone, Wales, de Novo Solutions now employs a team of over 50 business and technical digital transformation specialists, experiencing a 50% growth in headcount over the last 12 months.

Media Contact

Hannah Haffield
hhaffield@makemorenoise.co.uk
0121 594 0712 / 07939 468 567

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 15th January 2024 — Leading Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital transformation consultancy, de Novo Solutions, proudly announces its role as Headline Partner for the highly-anticipated Wales Technology Awards 2024. As the UK’s leading experts in technology enabled digital transformation and Cloud-led innovation, de Novo’s partnership highlights their dedication to fostering innovation and excellence within the Welsh technology sector.

The Wales Technology Awards, organised by Technology Connected, is scheduled to take place on the evening of 22nd March 2024 at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel and Spa. The Awards are a prestigious platform poised to showcase and honour those who underpin Wales’s thriving and vibrant tech industry.

Based in Langstone, de Novo Solutions is at the forefront of reimagining how businesses operate in the digital age, using Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technologies. With a clear mission to drive innovation, create value, and empower businesses, the company specialises in Finance, Procurement, Payroll, HR systems and Managed Cloud Support. Their comprehensive solutions address the multifaceted challenges of the modern business landscape.

Mark Sweeny, Chief Executive at de Novo Solutions, said: “Having launched in Langstone, South Wales, nearly three years ago, the de Novo team and I have played an active role in supporting the future growth and development of technology in Wales – be it through connecting with like-minded organisations or recruiting and training local tech talent.

We are, therefore, delighted to have partnered with Technology Connected as the Headline Partner for the Wales Technology Awards 2024. We look forward to joining in the celebrations at the awards ceremony on the 22nd March in Cardiff, where we are excited to meet and applaud the businesses who are flying the flag for tech innovation across Wales.”

Avril Lewis MBE, Managing Director at Technology Connected, said: “We are thrilled to have de Novo Solutions join us as the Headline Partner for the Wales Technology Awards 2024. This partnership is a testament to our joint commitment to driving innovation, creating value, and empowering businesses for sustained success. Together, we eagerly anticipate shining a spotlight on the outstanding Welsh tech industry at the Wales Technology Awards.”

The Welsh tech community is reminded that award entries for the Wales Technology Awards 2024 close on the 22nd January. The Awards are free to enter and organisations can apply to multiple categories.

For more details regarding tickets, how to enter, and partnerships, please visit the Wales Technology Awards website.

About Technology Connected
Technology Connected is the leading network for the technology industry in Wales, previously known as ESTnet. For nearly 20 years, we have worked alongside our members to forge new business connections, raise their profiles and to create a powerful collective voice for the technology industry in Wales and beyond. Other events and initiatives from Technology Connected include Wales Tech Week, Emerging Tech Fest, and Year In Industry.

https://technologyconnected.net/

#WalesTechnologyAwards / #WTA

@TechnologyConnx

For PR & Comms enquiries please email Stephanie Stephens stephanie.stephens@technologyconnected.net

About de Novo Solutions

Headquartered in Langstone, Wales, de Novo Solutions is a specialist Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital transformation consultancy. Focused on the experience economy, the company aims to ‘re-imagine the world of work’ by delivering data-driven personalised experiences over standardised business processes, leveraging emerging technologies and analytics to provide significant business value.

For more information, please visit www.de-novo-solutions.com.

Follow de Novo on Linkedin and Twitter.

Media Contact

Hannah Haffield
hhaffield@makemorenoise.co.uk
0121 594 0712 / 07939 468 567

Making a Digital Difference with Odyssea™ for MATs

Typically, 75% of a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) budget today is spent on people costs. It begs the question: Is your MAT modernising its approach to people management, investing in its most valuable (and expensive) asset? Are your skilled people benefiting from a progressive digital revolution or evolution journey, or is your trust experiencing inertia—confused, stuck, or unsure how to begin.

No matter your MAT situation, de Novo is here to help. This article showcases the capabilities of Odyssea™ for MATs and emphasises the crucial role of people management in achieving overall MAT goals.

Learn how de Novo’s expertise, recently recognised with a ‘HR Tech Innovation’ award commendation, can support you on your journey to a digitally optimised future.

With the emphasis today placed upon quality pupil education and engaging pupil experiences, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) across the nation are under pressure like never before. Expected to simultaneously ‘juggle’ other operational MAT priorities alongside the needs of their pupils with an aim to deliver a well-respected, compliant, successful, safe, and performant MAT that the community is proud of.

To achieve those aims the role of people management should not be forgotten, understated, or delayed in lieu of other items on the MAT agenda as it is the people working within a MAT that impact pupils and contribute to the goals of the organisation.

The seemingly never-ending list of operational priorities and activities that MAT leadership teams are expected to focus on can often cause an inadvertent negative impact on other equally important aspects, such as people management.

The Pressures Facing MATs Today

Combatting increased threat of cybercrime
Focusing on operational efficiencies and transparency
Adhering to legislative compliance and GDPR constraints
Pressures on funding, budgets, and MAT self-generating income
Managing risk and the pressure to embrace cloud digital technologies

These classical MAT priorities will not be going away anytime soon, and no doubt the average MAT Leaders’ to-do list runs the risk of expanding still further and with a potential change in UK Government who knows what the future will bring.

To help dispel a few urban myths that may exist it is important to confirm that a large slice of MAT priorities and focus areas can be better addressed through the effective deployment and use of cloud enabled digital technology to complete much of the heavy lifting.

Without balancing the time and effort spent on the ‘digital agenda’ versus other operational matters a MAT might well run the risk of missing out on the advantages that a modern cloud enabled people solution brings to the operation but more importantly to the people.

The heavy lifting typically associated with preparing and executing a digital transformation can be reduced by de Novo’s Odyssea™ for MATs, a purpose-built strategic HR / Payroll people management solution powered by Oracle Cloud.

With such a high proportion (75%) of MAT operational budgets spent on people related costs it is essential that such a precious and valuable investment (MAT people) is properly managed alongside well thought out people experiences.

Odyssea™ for MATs brings industry ready profiles, functionality and default settings that are specifically purpose designed to enable a MAT to make a fast start to their people transformation. de Novo’s experience in the industry has been gained through other MAT people and finance focused transformation projects. That knowledge means that de Novo is essentially simplifying and breaking the barriers of inertia that might on occasion paralyse people management progress within a MAT.

Navigate your Cloud Journey with Confidence

To support MATs in their transition, de Novo brings a new flexible, supportive approach to the table – known as a Cloud Readiness Assessment (CRA). Without a well-defined roadmap, navigating the cloud journey can lead to challenges, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities.

This is where our Cloud Readiness Assessment (CRA) becomes invaluable. CRA is performed in partnership with a MAT and reviews the existing working approaches related to people management, with that research in mind de Novo can advise on recommended way forward – be that revolution or evolution. de Novo’s team of experts can guide a MAT on project delivery approaches, future target operating models, functional capability discussions, cloud solution demonstrations alongside building the funding business case and value proposition.

A plan toward a cloud enabled digital future is essential for a forward thinking, MAT leadership team.

People management and strategic HR is an imperative benefiting those working in a MAT enterprise whether they are Employees, Teaching Professionals, Operational Managers, Governors, or Volunteers. People working in a MAT environment have an impact daily on pupils – the next generation that will guide the way – and it is vital that these people feel valued, connected, and aligned with the MAT vision.

Supported at every stage of their employment journey with connected HR solutions that are modern and engaging ensures a person record is entered once and leveraged across the employment lifecycle.

People Management Lifecycle

Introducing Odyssea™ for MATs

Odyssea™ for MATs is a fast start, modular solution for people management – a solution that comes predesigned to support the needs of the education industry to ease the burden and expedite the digital transformation journey.

Partnering with several MAT clients has enabled de Novo to co-design Odyssea™ for MAT to be a solution that enables a digital people transformation strategy supporting either a one-step revolution or a more pragmatic and phased evolution journey.

Key People Management Capabilities

Delivering a Single Central Record (SCR) for people management
Supporting efficient School Workforce Census management activities
Pre-defined education industry absence management, payroll elements and pension schemes
Position management for funding and budgeted headcount management activities
Self-service HR with secure access to view and update information on any device with a browser
Complete talent management to include mandatory and renewal training activity tracking
Performance management monitoring and observation assessment tracking capabilities
Unified cross-MAT organisation succession planning and talent pool management strategies
Life event and career ‘Journey’ pathway checklists delivering cross-MAT process continuity
End-to-end reporting and management information reporting with interactive dashboards

Navigating the Digital Transformation Journey

Advancing and modernising MAT people strategy or people management services will without doubt save time, money, improve efficiency, communication and collaboration across the organisation.

Whether the digital transformation is done in a single leap (revolution) or a series of purposeful steps (evolution) it is essential that progress occurs. Inertia is not acceptable.

Progress can begin with a CRA, a conversation that is supportive and not judgemental – it is about supporting a MAT on their own unique digital journey so that the organisation can better focus on delivering better educational outcomes for all.

It takes time to develop a mature, high performing people management strategy and that elevated view and ambition should not be set as a success measure from day one.

The digital people management journey takes time and requires the regular input of multiple parties to help ensure adoption, innovation, efficiency do not ‘scare or destabilise’ the MAT’s primary activities – namely, pupil education.

Value as a Service™ (VaaS™): Supporting MATs Beyond Implementation

de Novo provides additional aftercare and managed support services for MATs beyond the implementation process and the point of go-live with Value as a Service™ (VaaS™). VaaS™ helps MATs to continue maximising their Oracle Cloud solution capability beyond go-live de Novo’s innovative approach to delivery excellence continues forward into expert aftercare designed to ensure MATs feel supported at every step.

Unlocking Efficiency and Substantial Cost Savings for Multi-Academy Trusts

An optimised people management strategy will impact that 75% spend ensuring you are getting the most from that investment. Helping a MAT to save on:

Expensive hiring though better succession and lateral talent planning
Reducing ‘agency’ and ‘supply’ costs through alumni deployment
Reducing on and off boarding cost and time with automation
Time and effort to control people and position management budgeting
Lost momentum in encouraging MAT culture and value messages
Tracking timely people certification renewals

A modern people management strategy is the future, but it is not always easy to achieve or even prioritise. With de Novo, MATs can navigate the path toward a digitally transformed and optimised future for people management. Our proficiency and expertise in HR/People Management systems have earned us industry recognition, notably with de Novo Solutions receiving Commendation in the ‘HR Tech Innovation’ award category at the prestigious ERP Today Awards.

So, why not have a discussion with de Novos’ MAT experts and hear more about Odyssea™ for MATs, our past projects and learn how the CRA first step can ensure evolution becomes revolution and inertia is bypassed successfully.

Ready to embark on your journey to leading-edge People Management?

Unlock MAT Excellence with Odyssea™

Experience Value as a Service™ (VaaS™)

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 11th December, 2023 — Leading Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital transformation consultancy, de Novo Solutions, is proud to announce another significant addition to its senior leadership team with the appointment of new Senior Vice-President of Client Services, Tom Mann. This move underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional client experiences and service excellence.

With over three decades of experience as an accomplished Enterprise Software and Programme Director, Tom brings a proven track record in driving complex global business transformation programmes. He joins de Novo Solutions following a successful 4-year tenure as Delivery Director for Guidewire Software – a leading global provider of cloud-based insurance software solutions. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Client Services at Certus Solutions, an award-winning Oracle Cloud consultancy where he was responsible for the company’s most high-profile customers across private and public sectors.

Tom now re-joins the alumni to play a fundamental role in spearheading initiatives that align with de Novo’s mantra on delivery excellence, enhancing client satisfaction, and driving operational performance within the company’s fast-growing client base.

Mark Sweeny, Founder and Chief Executive of de Novo Solutions, confirmed: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Tom back into the fold and to de Novo Solutions as our new Senior Vice President of Client Services. Having known and worked with Tom over the past 30 years not only am I excited to be working with him again, but I am confident that his strategic vision and client-centric approach will undoubtedly contribute to the continuing growth and success of the business. His commitment to delivery and customer service excellence is second to none.”

Tom Mann, new Senior Vice President of Client Services for de Novo Solutions, added: “I am thrilled to be reunited with the founders of de Novo, having previously been part of the Certus Solutions pioneering adventure into Oracle Cloud. The calibre of the team Mark and Tim Warner have assembled is exceptional, and I look forward to the journey ahead. Our success is all about going the extra mile for our clients and being there for them every step of the way. Let’s keep raising the bar, setting new delivery standards, and making sure every client has a fantastic experience with us.”

About de Novo Solutions
Headquartered in Langstone, Wales, de Novo Solutions is a specialist Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow digital consultancy. Focused on the experience economy, the company aims to ‘re-imagine the world of work’ by delivering data-driven personalised experiences over standardised business processes, leveraging emerging technologies and analytics to provide significant business value.

Over the past 12 months, de Novo has established itself as one of the UK’s fastest-growing technology companies, doubling revenues to £5 million for its current financial year, with contracted projects exceeding £10 million.

Media Contact
Hannah Haffield
hhaffield@makemorenoise.co.uk
0121 594 0712 / 07939 468 567

Author: Richard Twelvetrees, Experience & Value Enablement Director, de Novo Solutions

de Novo Solutions are passionate about the end-to-end experience.

We support Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in achieving their goal of implementing modern cloud based, back-office and shared service finance management software.

UK Government articles such as Moving your school to the cloud – April 2019 have been painting the picture of why a cloud enabled school is a likely better operated business that one remaining with an outdated approach to finance.

Odyssea™ by de Novo Solutions is powered by Oracle Cloud – one of the worlds most renowned and trusted technology platforms for finance management. Odyssea™ focuses on harnessing those UK Government way markers such as:

Making finance operational services more useful and engaging
Breaking down barriers currently encountered with older systems
Leading to delivery cost savings and efficiency improvements
Bringing about more secure, yet accessible, ways of working
Supporting GDPR and allaying data risk fears

Cloud enabled finance management is the future – it is that simple.

Odyssea™ will enable your MAT to experience a myriad of benefits for not only the core back-office finance management and shared service team but also the wider extended MAT community spanning Senior Leadership Teams, Governors all the way to active academic staff.

Financial Challenges Facing MATs

MATs are facing a complex landscape of financial challenges that demand strategic navigation and innovative solutions:

Financial Strain: MATs are grappling with financial constraints due to funding limitations and the increasing cost of living and inflation affecting a multitude of sectors
Resource Acquisition: MATs are actively seeking new sources of funding and must explore creative ways to attract more funds and secure additional staff
Diversifying Income: To strengthen their financial standing, many MATs are venturing into diverse revenue streams beyond their core functions, e.g investments, hosting conferences, adult education, lettings, fundraising etc
Budget Scrutiny: There is a growing focus on budget scrutiny, prompting MATs to increase control over spending in all financial aspects
Centralisation vs. Autonomy: Larger MATs often struggle to find the right balance between academy autonomy and centralisation of shared services across different functions

Key Benefits of Odyssea™

Odyssea™, powered by Oracle Cloud, offers a range of features and advantages for MATs including:

DfE Compliance: Odyssea™ offers a fully Department for Education (DfE) compliant Chart of Accounts, enabling MATs of all sizes to easily record and report on their financial data. It also offers customisable views by academies, clusters, or quadrants, budget codes, and funding sources
Unified Back Office: Odyssea™ seamlessly integrates essential back-office functions like HR, Payroll, Finance, Procurement, and Planning. It extends its capabilities to include:

Odyssea™ can help your MAT with:

Financial Transparency & Control

Full Fund Traceability: Trace spending back to funding sources. Meticulously track funding income from various sources, such as the General Annual Grant or donations, providing a breakdown of expected funds over time. This enables a seamless tracing and analysis of expenditures to the correct codes
Control and Approval: Odyssea™ integrates Finance with HR, Payroll, Procurement, and Planning functions, providing easy control for spend and authorisation approvals across the organisation. For example, procurement spending can be approved within allocated budgets at an academy, with payments automatically matched to the correct purchase orders, facilitating touchless payments via shared functions

Choose Odyssea™ for a Best-in-Class Finance Solution

Odyssea™ has a track record of assisting MAT businesses by replacing their disconnected, incomplete, and inefficient operations with best-in-class finance management applications
The connected finance solution is a proven platform that is ready to use ‘out-of-the-box’, with data-driven analytics, self-service finance access, and a comprehensive suite of powerful forecasting and strategic planning tools
Without doubt Odyssea™, powered by Oracle Cloud will lead to your MAT being able to recognise meaningful cost savings and improved financial performance across your processes
Odyssea™ will deliver complete peace of mind for MAT leaders due to the enhanced security and data protection models to fortify the organisation against external or internal cyber threats

Embrace a Culture of Continuous Innovation with Value as a Service™ (VaaS™)

Experience Continuous Support: de Novo's optional managed cloud support extends beyond 'go-live,' ensuring ongoing success for your MAT. Proactively managed by UK-based experts, your system thrives with industry and cloud expertise, ensuring long-term peace of mind
Experience Continuous Innovation: Odyssea™ continuously evolves through the cloud innovation cycle. Periodic updates, driven by feedback and requests from the growing user community, are consistently delivered, shaping an ever-evolving digital experience for you

Only with de Novo Solutions can your MAT speed its way to a modern finance digital transformation – improving operational agility, transparency, scalability, and competitiveness, providing your MAT with proven businesses tools that will thrive in your organisation’s financial landscape.