ERP/Finance System

The request was refused by University of Hull.

Dear University of Hull,

Please could you provide the following information regarding your ERP / Finance system:
1.What ERP (Enterprise Resource Management) or Finance system is currently used at the University?
2.When does your contract expire?
3.Do you have any planned upgrades of the software? If so, when?
4.Are you planning to go to market for a different ERP/ Finance system? If so, when?
5.How many users / licenses of the system do you have at the University?
6.Who is the person responsible for your ERP / Finance system? Please provide full name, title and contact information if possible.

Yours faithfully,

Jenny Harris

Dan Palmer-Dunk, University of Hull

5 Attachments

Dear Ms Harris,

 

Please find our response to your Freedom of Information request embedded
(and emphasised in red text for easy reference) within your original email
below.

 

You will notice that some information has been deemed exempt from
disclosure.  In this instance, the information is commercially sensitive,
and therefore section 43 (Commercial Interests) is engaged.

 

Section 43(2) – Commercial Interest

 

This exemption is engaged where the disclosure of information would, or
would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests of any person
(including the public authority holding it).  When this exemption is
engaged a public authority must evidence the prejudice (harm) that it is
envisaged disclosure would, or would be likely to, cause and also balance
the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in
maintaining the exemption.

 

Harm

 

Releasing the information in question would be likely to harm both the
University’s and the companies’ concerned commercial interests.  This is
because it may harm the ability of the University to attract business to
tender and reduce the competitiveness of tender processes at the
University and elsewhere.  Disclosure would also harm to commercial
interests of the supplier, as any favourable arrangements would be public
knowledge, meaning the supplier would be less likely to achieve the best
price for its services in future negotiations.

 

For Disclosure

 

There is a public interest in the accountability as to how public money is
spent, and to disclose this information would make the University more
accountable in this respect. 

 

Against Disclosure

 

To release this information is likely to damage the relationship between
the University and both current and future suppliers, as suppliers will be
less likely to enter into contracts with the University (and offer
favourable arrangements) if the University releases information they deem
sensitive to the public.  This would reduce the opportunities for the
University to purchase the most efficient and cost effective service. 

 

The commercial interests of the company concerned may be affected by
releasing this information, as other organisations would be likely to
expect the same level of service from the supplier, meaning their ability
to negotiate the best deal would be harmed.

 

Decision

 

The public have an interest in knowing that money spend by public
authorities has achieved best value.  Releasing the information requested
would assist this, by bringing transparency and accountability.  However,
the release of the information may also unbalance future tendering
opportunities, and reduce the likelihood of the University achieving the
best value it can.  Disclosure would also be likely to adversely affect
those companies concerned.

 

For these reasons I have decided that the factors against disclosure
outweigh the factors for disclosure, and that the information should be
withheld.

 

Your request is subject to the terms of the Freedom of Information Act
2000.  Under these terms, you have the right of complaint.  Your initial
course of action should be through the University’s own complaints
procedure.  In the first instance please contact [1][email address] or the
University Registrar and Secretary, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX
within 20 days from the date of this email.

 

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint,
you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at: The
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9 5AF.  Phone: 0303 123 1113  Website: [2]www.ico.gov.uk. 
There is no charge for making an appeal.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Dan

 

 

[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D2EE69.89A71150 Dan Palmer-Dunk | Information Compliance Officer | Governance
& Compliance

University of Hull

Hull, HU6 7RX, UK

[4]www.hull.ac.uk

[5][email address] | 01482 466594

[6]cid:image002.png@01D2EE69.89A71150  [7]@UniOfHull    
[8]cid:image003.png@01D2EE69.89A71150  [9]/UniversityOfHull   
[10]cid:image004.png@01D2EE69.89A71150  [11]universityofhull