Case Study

Bedfordshire & Luton Fire and Rescue Service (Beds Fire)

Beds Fire covers the area served by the two separate local authorities of Bedfordshire County Council and Luton Borough Council. It serves a population of over 580,000 in the area defined by its name, from multiple locations including 14 fire stations. A Combined Fire Authority (CFA) of elected Members from these two constituent authorities oversees the Service. Beds Fire currently employs 327 full-time and day crewing fire-fighters, 205 retained fire-fighters (on-call system), 30 control staff and 102 support staff.

Beds Fire approached M4 Systems in 2002 to replace an accounting system which was provided to them by Bedfordshire County Council under contract which was coming to the end of its term. The replacement system needed to meet a broad range of functionality requirements, including integration with other systems, including payroll. Particular emphasis was placed on improving purchasing, commitments and budgetary control. The system also had to operate over multiple sites.

M4 Systems subsequently installed Microsoft Great Plains (Dynamics GP) and have most recently also installed ReQlogic eProcurement software which seamlessly integrates with Dynamics GP and extends web-based requisitioning and approval capability across the organisation.