In recent years, Karlstad Municipality has worked to strengthen and modernise its integration environment. When the municipality tendered for a new IT supplier two years ago, Kazoku IT was chosen. The aim was to create a more transparent and managed delivery around system integrations and to improve the management and development of new integrations.
CHALLENGES
Unclear roles between development and management:
Karlstad municipality’s systems integration centre had difficulty distinguishing between what was development and what was management in systems integration. This created confusion and inefficiencies in the management of IT resources and projects and, in the absence of clear boundaries, the scope and purpose of projects was sometimes unclear.
Difficulties in managing the technical environment:
The municipality experienced problems with the technical management of the previous platform, Mule, both within its own organisation 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 The platform was perceived as outdated and not stable enough for the municipality’s needs.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 digitalisation:
As a public actor, Karlstad municipality is aware that it is not always “cutting edge” when it comes to technology, but a municipality must also keep up with the digitalisation of its activities as the needs of users and municipal residents arise. During the period in which Kazoku has delivered both the development and management of integrations, it has become increasingly clear that the possibilities of digitalisation could, with the help of integrations, be realised to a greater extent. There was a growing need to manage increasing demands for integrations within the municipality’s operations, and to have a more transparent and managed delivery of these integrations.
Challenges with contracts and procurement:
Karlstad municipality is governed by the Public Procurement Act, which means that they are bound to tender contracts at certain times. The previous contract had a structure that did not fully support the municipality’s development needs, and although the new contract with Kazoku took steps forward, there were still challenges in ensuring that everything worked 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 more manageable platform than before. BizTalk offered a wider availability of the infrastructure and better support possibilities, 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 started to work more structured with system integrations. Internal processes, such as the ordering process, became clearer and better defined. This allowed the requirements of the integrations to be managed more effectively, and design and architecture issues to be addressed more thoughtfully.
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 Kazoku team, which included a Scrum Master and developer, was instrumental in spreading the good work of the ICC to the entire municipality’s IT department, which contributed greatly to a good cultural change in the way IT projects are handled today.
Improved collaboration and customisation:
Kazoku proved to be a responsive partner, able to adapt their work to the specific needs of the municipality. They adapted their processes and methods to ensure that the collaboration ran smoothly and that the municipality received the support it needed. This included everything from technical adaptations to creating a working environment 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 operations:
Kazoku introduced proactive monitoring of the council’s systems to ensure that any issues could be detected and addressed quickly. This gave the municipality greater peace of mind and reduced the risk of disruption, which was particularly 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 management, thanks to the structured processes and agile working methodology.
Efficient handover to the new provider
As the contract came to an end, Kazoku has shown a high level of professionalism in the handover to the new supplier. This has contributed to a smooth transition without major friction.
Increased competence and confidence
The improved technical solution, together 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.
Collaborative spirit and flexibility create stability and success
Kazoku is characterised by its ability to think outside the box and its strong willingness to support both colleagues and clients. This creates a climate of stability in which everyone feels safe, as there is always someone there to help if something happens. Whether it’s helping a colleague stuck in a development project or quickly resolving an urgent incident, there is always someone willing to step in, even if it means cancelling a holiday. This helpfulness and flexibility, without the need for formal negotiations, is a great advantage in the co-operation between client and contractor.
“Kazoku has a very pleasant climate within the team and also the way the team is presented to others. A big part of my positive experience of joining ICC is because of you guys because you have been very transparent, very good, very friendly, nice and easy to work with. Whether it has been about technical issues or commercial issues or how we should work, so you have had a very good ability to do that, I think. 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 helped to create a culture of continuous improvement and co-operation within the municipality. This has laid the foundation for continued digital development and improved service for the citizens of Karlstad. By the way, we wish Karlstad Municipality a successful future, a big thank you to Torbjörn Stake for volunteering and thank you Karlstad Municipality for these years together!
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