Technology simplification in local councils: streamlining for efficiency

Local councils in Australia are tasked with delivering an extensive array of services that touch nearly every aspect of community life. From maintaining roads and collecting waste to managing libraries, recreation centres, aged care, pet licensing, parking, and cemeteries, their responsibilities are vast and varied. These services are funded primarily through rates, property revenue, and other income streams, yet councils face mounting pressures that threaten their ability to deliver effectively. In New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria (VIC), rate rises are capped, meaning inflation steadily erodes the real value of available funds. Add to this the political cycle—where newly elected councillors often introduce fresh initiatives—and councils are left juggling shifting priorities with limited resources.

For councils, every dollar spent on technical debt is a dollar not spent on community services. Simplifying technology offers a practical solution, enabling councils to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and focus on what matters most—serving their communities. This article explores the need for technology simplification in local government, the key levers councils can pull to reduce complexity, the critical role of integration, modern platforms like Boomi, and how PM-Partners can support councils on this journey.

The need for technology simplification in local government

Local councils operate in a challenging environment where small Information Technology (IT) teams are responsible for an expansive and diverse technology ecosystem. These teams manage applications for libraries, sports centres, closed-circuit television (CCTV), public wireless networks, and more, often with limited resources. Unlike large corporations, local councils don’t typically undertake a high volume of IT projects, which means they rarely have a formal reference architecture to guide technology decisions. This lack of structure can lead to a fragmented IT landscape, exacerbated when business units independently purchase Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions and hand them over to IT for management.

The result is a complex web of systems that increases technical debt—outdated or inefficient technology that consumes time, money, and effort to maintain. For councils already stretched thin, this complexity diverts resources from core services and hampers their ability to adopt new initiatives. Simplifying technology isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity to ensure councils can meet community expectations within tightening budgets.

Levers to reduce technology complexity

Councils have several strategic options—or levers—to simplify their technology environments and drive efficiency. Two primary approaches stand out, with a third option that, while viable, poses unique challenges in the local government context.

1. Consolidate systems into a single ERP

Moving to a single Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a powerful way to streamline operations. While this approach concentrates reliance on one vendor, it significantly reduces the total cost of ownership by minimising integration challenges, training needs, and support overheads. Choosing an ERP vendor specialising in local government offers additional benefits, as these providers often expand their offerings over time, allowing councils to decommission disparate systems and consolidate further. This unified approach simplifies IT management and frees up resources for community-focused projects.

2. Simplify integration

Integration is often a pain point in council IT environments, with legacy point-to-point or code-based solutions creating inefficiencies. Transitioning to a low-code or no-code integration layer—using pre-built connectors or templates—offers a cost-effective alternative. This shift reduces the burden on IT teams, speeds up deployment, and lowers long-term maintenance costs. By addressing integration incrementally, such as during system upgrades, councils can manage the transition without overwhelming their budgets or resources.

3. Outsource IT operations

Outsourcing IT is a third lever, though it’s less straightforward for local councils. The scale and size of council operations often don’t align with the cost models of large-scale outsourcing providers, making it an expensive proposition. While outsourcing could theoretically reduce complexity, the financial case is harder to justify compared to the other two levers.

Why integration is a good area to address

Integration lies at the heart of many councils’ technology challenges. Legacy systems, built with custom code or rigid point-to-point connections, are difficult to maintain and adapt. As councils adopt modern SaaS solutions or upgrade existing platforms, these outdated integrations become bottlenecks, increasing costs and slowing progress. Simplifying integration doesn’t just address a technical issue—it unlocks broader operational efficiency.

A modern integration approach reduces reliance on specialised IT skills, which are often in short supply within councils. By leveraging pre-built connectors or templates, councils can connect systems faster and with less effort. This not only cuts costs but also improves agility, enabling councils to respond to new priorities—whether driven by community needs or political cycles—without being bogged down by technical complexity.

Modern integration platforms: the rise of low-code/no-code solutions like Boomi

The emergence of low-code and no-code integration platforms has transformed how councils can tackle these challenges. At one end of the spectrum, tools like Zapier offer simplicity but may raise concerns about data residency—a critical consideration for local government. At the other end, platforms like Boomi strike a balance between ease of use and control, making them increasingly popular in the sector.

Boomi’s success in local councils stems from its simplicity and flexibility. It allows councils to deploy workloads in locally hosted environments while retaining cloud-based command and control, addressing data sovereignty concerns. With a wide range of pre-built integration “recipes” tailored to common council applications—think library management systems, waste collection platforms, or recreation centre software—Boomi accelerates implementation and reduces technical debt. This simplicity also helps bridge IT skills gaps, empowering smaller teams to manage complex environments without requiring extensive coding expertise.

How PM-Partners can help with technology simplification and Boomi

As specialists in ERP and integration for local government, PM-Partners has witnessed firsthand the growing adoption of Boomi and its impact on councils. We bring a wealth of experience in simplifying technology landscapes, helping councils reduce complexity and focus on service delivery. Our approach is pragmatic and tailored, recognising that transformation doesn’t happen overnight.

With Boomi, we offer end-to-end support—from strategy and implementation to ongoing management. Our local and offshore capabilities allow us to right-size solutions to fit council budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality. Whether it’s consolidating systems into a single ERP, streamlining integrations with Boomi, or providing expert guidance on technology roadmaps, PM-Partners partners with councils to drive out technical debt and build resilient, future-ready IT environments.

For councils considering their next steps, we recommend starting small but thinking big. Implementing a modern integration tool like Boomi and addressing complexity during natural upgrade cycles is a sensible, budget-friendly approach. Over time, this lays the foundation for broader simplification, whether through ERP consolidation or enhanced integration across the board.

Technology simplification is more than a cost-saving measure for local councils—it’s a strategic imperative. With capped rates, rising inflation, and ever-evolving community demands, councils must find ways to do more with less. By consolidating systems into a single ERP and simplifying integration with platforms like Boomi, councils can reduce technical debt, empower their IT teams, and redirect resources to where they’re needed most: the community. While outsourcing IT remains a challenging option, the combination of ERP consolidation and modern integration offers a clear path forward.

PM-Partners stands ready to assist, bringing expertise in local government technology and hands-on experience with Boomi to deliver practical, impactful solutions. In an era of constrained budgets and high expectations, simplifying technology isn’t just smart—it’s essential for councils to thrive.