The proportion of public sector customer service contracts incorporating digital channels increased by more than a third in 2014, according to new research.
A survey of public sector outsourcing found that in 2014, 67% of such contracts were multi-channel in nature – up from 50% during the previous year.
The survey, carried out by outsourcing firm Avarto, found that local government organisations were increasingly including web chat and social media management across their customer service provision.
A spokesman for Avarto told PublicTechnology.net: "The contracts will be considered multi-channel if they feature traditional contact centre activities - normally phone - alongside digital delivery.
Local government outsourcing contracts signed in 2014 were worth a total of £606 million, with a 60% / 40% split between business process and ICT outsourcing deals.
Overall, the average value of local government outsourcing contracts increased by 15% year-on-year to £30.3m during 2014.
The research revealed that 60% of all local government contracts signed in 2014 were second generation outsourcing relationships – extensions, renewals or the replacement of incumbents – up from 37% in 2013.
In addition, 11% of contracts included agreements to invest in transformation projects aimed at reducing service costs.
Debra Maxwell, managing director of Arvato UK, said: "Local government has long been at the forefront of UK outsourcing and our 2014 review shows that local authorities are increasingly focusing on securing more sophisticated deals. Digital is now a key part of customer services contracts, showing that authorities are utilising their outsourcing partnerships to really transform services and deliver channel shift."
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About Bertelsmann:
Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that operates in about 50 countries around the world. It includes the broadcaster RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr, the music company BMG, the service provider Arvato, the Bertelsmann Printing Group, the Bertelsmann Education Group, and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds.
Published: Monday, February 23, 2015
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