Karlstad Municipality has worked in recent years to strengthen and modernize its integration environment. When the municipality procured a new IT supplier two years ago, Kazoku IT was chosen. The goal was to create a more transparent and controlled delivery of system integrations and to improve the management and development of new integrations.

CHALLENGES

Unclear roles between development and management:

Karlstad Municipality's Center for Systems Integration had difficulty distinguishing between what was development and what was management within systems integration. This created confusion and inefficiency in the management of IT resources and projects, and as there was a lack of clear boundaries, the scope and purposes of the projects sometimes became unclear.

Difficulties in managing the technical environment:

The municipality experienced problems with how the previous platform, Mule, was handled technically both within its own organization and by the previous supplier. The platform was perceived as outdated and not stable enough for the municipality's needs. It was difficult to develop and manage integrations effectively.

Need to keep up with the development of digitalization:

As a public actor, Karlstad Municipality is aware that they are not always “cutting edge” when it comes to technology, but even a municipality must keep up with the digitalization of its operations as the needs of users and residents arise. During the period when Kazoku delivered both development and management of integrations, it has become increasingly clear that the opportunities with digitalization could, with the help of integrations, be realized to a greater extent. There was a growing need to handle increased demands for integrations within the municipality’s operations, and to have a more transparent and controlled delivery of these integrations.

Challenges with contracts and procurement:

Karlstad Municipality is governed by the Public Procurement Act, which means they are required to put out contracts to competition at certain times. The previous agreement had a structure that did not fully support the municipality’s development needs, and although the new agreement with Kazoku was a step forward, there were still challenges in ensuring that everything ran smoothly within the given framework.

SOLUTIONS

Implementation of a new integration architecture and technology platform:

Kazoku continued the implementation of the municipality's new technology platform based on BizTalk and Azure. Karlstad Municipality now has a more homogeneous and manageable platform than before. BizTalk offered broader infrastructure availability and better support options, making it easier for the municipality to access knowledge and resources.

Structured system integration and improved internal process:

During the collaboration with Kazoku, the municipality began to work more structured with system integrations. Internal processes, such as the ordering process, became clearer and better defined. This allowed integration requirements to be handled more efficiently, and design and architecture issues to be resolved in a more thoughtful manner.

Increased agility and adoption of DevOps:

Kazoku improved and streamlined agile methods and DevOps principles in the municipality's work by implementing them in their existing ICC. This meant that work on integrations could be done in faster and more flexible cycles. The team from Kazoku, which included a Scrum Master and developers, contributed greatly to spreading the good work within ICC to the entire municipality's IT department, which has contributed greatly to a positive cultural change in how IT projects are currently managed.

Improved collaboration and customization:

Kazoku proved to be a responsive partner who was able to adapt their work to the municipality's specific needs. They adapted their processes and methods to ensure that the collaboration worked smoothly and that the municipality received the support it needed. This included everything from technical adjustments to creating a working climate where everyone felt safe and supported. Kazoku has also helped the municipality staff the product owner role for ICC for some time, and has done so with good success.

Proactive monitoring and operation:

Kazoku implemented proactive monitoring of the municipality’s systems to ensure that any issues could be detected and addressed quickly. This gave the municipality increased confidence and reduced the risk of operational disruptions, which was especially important in an environment where technical stability and reliability were crucial.

RESULTS

The collaboration between Karlstad Municipality and Kazoku has been very successful and has led to several positive outcomes:

Improved development and management

The municipality has managed to increase the pace of development without compromising the quality of administration, thanks to the structured processes and agile working methodology.

Efficient handover to new supplier

As the contract neared its end, Kazoku demonstrated a high level of professionalism in the handover to the new supplier, contributing to a smooth transition without major friction.

Increased competence and security

The improved technical solution, along with Kazoku's support, has made it easier for the municipality to manage staff turnover and other changes, while providing them with a platform that supports their long-term goals.

Collaboration and flexibility create stability and success

Kazoku stands out for its ability to think outside the box and its strong will to support both colleagues and clients. This creates a climate of stability where everyone feels safe, because there is always someone to help if something happens. Whether it is a question of helping a colleague who is stuck in a development project or quickly resolving an urgent incident, there is always someone who is willing to step in, even if it means interrupting a vacation. This helpfulness and flexibility, without the need for formal negotiations, is a great advantage in the collaboration between clients and contractors.

"Kazoku has a very pleasant climate within the team and also the way the team is fronted towards others. A large part of my positive experience of joining ICC is thanks to you because you have been very transparent, very talented, very friendly, nice and easy to work with. Regardless of whether it has been about technical issues or commercial issues or how we should work, I think you have had a very good ability to do that. So I am happy for my part. You have made my job much easier."

– Torbjörn Stake, Group Manager IT at Karlstad Municipality

CONCLUSION

Kazoku IT's commitment and technical expertise have been crucial to Karlstad Municipality's successful transition to a more modern and efficient integration platform. The collaboration has not only solved the technical challenges but also contributed to creating a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the municipality. This has laid the foundation for continued digital development and improved service for the residents of Karlstad. Otherwise, we wish Karlstad Municipality a successful future, a big thank you to Torbjörn Stake for his support and thank Karlstad Municipality for these years together!

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