For information and technology (IT) experts, it is a concept that best suits a workplace and they are not shy to introduce it. Their belief is that a shared platform will boost a company’s growth. Under the concept, firms allow their IT infrastructure to be shared by various departments/workers to reduce operational costs. The method will improve work and foster growth, writes AKINOLA AJIBADE.
Shared platform is a concept that is gaining acceptance among companies globally. The idea ensures that an information and technology (IT) platform is shared by various departments and workers in a company. The aim is to reduce the cost of operations, engender competition and promote efficiency.
Developed in Europe and the United States in the 90s, it has become the most sought- after concept. It has assisted companies in keeping and managing the flow of information or data among various departments and workers.
Also, it enables organisations to co-ordinate the activities of various units through the use of IT infrastructure, such as computers and servers.
In bigger corporations, heads of department are linked electronically to speed up operations. There, they store information or data in a server, from where they are picked and distributed when the need arises, with minimal stress.
The concept has helped companies in increasing the work-rate of certain categories of workers to stimulate growth.
Before this period, companies adopted measures to improve the performance of their workers, and bring about the much-needed growth. They organised human development workshops, exposed their workers to latest information and technology communication (ICT) facilities, and provided offshore training to enhance their workers skills.
Though the measures have succeeded in boosting performance, they have not been able to address the cost of operation. No wonder companies are eager to adopt the idea of a ‘shared platform’ to speed up activities and further engender growth. They include banks, insurance firms, maritime agencies, manufacturing companies, and oil and gas firms.
For instance, banks in 2005 acquired a Flexcube software to ensure seamless integration of their activities. Through this, they have been coordinating their programmes to ensure good profitability. One major benefit is that the software allows banks to manage their branches, as well as provide workers with the opportunity to distribute data among themselves.
Recently, the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), Lagos Chapter, embraced the shared platform to stimulate growth. The association partnered with Encore International Limited to provide a single platform for the over 200 microfinance banks operating in Lagos. Encore International is an IT firm based in India. The firm produces software that integrates the activities of companies for growth.
Former NAMB Chairman, the late Olufemi Babajide, said the adoption of a shared platform for the banks was meant to stimulate the growth of the workers and the banks. He said the banks would be able to reduce the cost of production, when they share a single IT platform together.
He said the banks spent a lot of money to install IT facilities for their operations, adding that the idea of a shared platform would improve the performance of the workers.
He said: “What we do is to install IT equipment individually. On the average, it costs each microfinance bank a minimum of N5 million to put in place robust information and technology software for operations. By robust software, I’ m talking about a software that would help the banks to render returns, and reduce the mental and physical stress that accompanied manual rendition of accounts. Before now, each of the banks spent N15 million to install robust software for operations. What we are saying now is that we want all the banks to share a single platform and improve efficiency.”
He said Encore International would, henceforth, provide a single platform to coordinate the activities of the banks.
He said with a single platform in place, the banks would be able to concentrate on their core businesses, and further stimulate growth.
“There is no economic sense in a bank installing software for as much as N10 million, in addition to annual subscription of N2 million. But with the adoption of a shared platform concept, it would be easier for the banks to have a centralised and improved method of coordinating their activities. Also, the banks will no longer pay heavily for such facilities. May be each bank will now be paying N100,000 per annum to the IT firm. This will bring about uniformity in our reporting patterns,” he added.
According to him, the idea will bring about an efficient workforce and subsequently reduce the cost of operations to rock -bottom level.
The concept, he said, is market driven, arguing that it would create jobs for marketers in the long run.
Chairman, Gold Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr Lanre Abiola, said the banks are bearing the huge cost of installing and maintaining the IT facilities together. He said poor power supply has affected the operations of the facilities, adding that the banks sometimes battle with network problems. He said it is either the servers are down or the facilities are not working well.
The development, he said, has affected the performance of the workers, and the banks in particular.
The Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Computer Training Centre, Mr Tim Akano, said shared platform is gaining prominence in the country. Akano said the need to maximise profits made companies to embrace the idea.
“An average employer is interested in cutting cost as much as possible. He is interested in service delivery. He wants the best from his workers. It is a case of the fewer the merrier. Many companies have been able to increase their work process, by embracing the concept of a shared platform,” he said.
He said companies achieve a lot by training their workers on how to exchange data through electronic means.
Akano urged companies to acquaint themselves with IT facilities to get the best from them, adding that the idea of a shared platform is crucial to the growth of an organisation.
“Remember, we are in an IT age. The world has gone digital. Individuals and companies are not ready to waste time. I think this informed the decision of many organisations to embrace the idea of a shared platform. Through this, they are carrying out a lot of activities together at a reduced cost,” he said.
