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Fire services share Dream finance software
The charges are light, brigade...

By Julian Goldsmith

Published: Tuesday 04 December 2007

Essex Fire Authority (FA) is to use the financial systems of another Fire and Rescue service as part of a shared services agreement.

The fire authority will use Dream finance software, supplied by CODA, hosted by Cambridge & Peterborough Fire Authority at a significant cost reduction compared to Essex FA's current system.

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Essex FA's finance director, Mike Clayton, told silicon.com the fire service has been sharing its finance back-office functions with Essex County Council since it was established.

He said: "The key driver was to use systems at another fire and rescue service so that we didn't have to start from a zero base."

He added both fire services have small financial teams which will be able to support each other.

Essex FA has completed usability testing and expects to go live with the system in April 2008.