Driving operational efficiency at South Staffordshire College with Financials
‘Responsive and professional, with clear communication at each stage’.
by OneAdvanced PRPublished on 6 June 2026 4 minute read
Overview
South Staffordshire College selected Financials as its new financial management system to support a more efficient, integrated approach.
Following a competitive tender process, Financials was chosen for its strength in integration, cloud functionality, and usability, aligning closely with the college’s operational and technical requirements.
About the organisation
South Staffordshire College is a further education provider delivering a broad range of academic and vocational programmes. As with many FE institutions, the college requires systems that integrate effectively across departments to support accurate reporting and efficient day-to-day processes.
The challenge
The college undertook a full review of financial systems to identify a solution that could better support its needs.
Key challenges included:
- Inefficient processes, with duplication of effort caused by manual data entry across systems
- Limited integration between finance and core systems, particularly OneAdvanced’s Management Information System (ProSolution)
- Usability limitations, including reporting that was not intuitive or easy to access
- Hardware constraints introduced by some solutions requiring higher-spec devices
- Uncertainty about how effectively virtual training would support users compared to in-person delivery
The college had explored the market 2–3 years earlier, but initial demonstrations had not met expectations, prompting the decision to run a full and formal tender process.
The selection process
The procurement exercise was both comprehensive and highly competitive.
The college received 11 bids, of which 10 were considered serious contenders. Six suppliers were shortlisted, including OneAdvanced, and invited to demonstrate their capabilities in more detail.
Evaluation focused on integration, cloud-based delivery, ease of use, and compatibility with existing hardware. Throughout, the objective remained consistent: to identify a solution that would reduce administrative burden while improving efficiency and usability.
Why Financials was selected
Financials stood out for its strong alignment with the college’s operational requirements and its ability to drive efficiency.
Key capabilities highlighted by the college included:
- Integration with OneAdvanced’s Management Information System (ProSolution), eliminating double data entry and streamlining workflows
- User-friendly reporting, with intuitive navigation, ‘favourites’ functionality, and document attachment options
- Cloud-based delivery, enabling access without the need for additional hardware requirements
- Automation features, including invoicing and payment reminders
Together, these capabilities demonstrated a clear advantage in reducing manual effort while improving usability and accessibility.
Experience during the tender process
South Staffordshire College reported a consistently positive experience working with the OneAdvanced team throughout evaluation and contract discussions.
Engagement was described as responsive and professional, with clear communication at each stage. The process itself ran smoothly, with no major points of friction. There was also specific positive feedback regarding the attentiveness shown during contract discussions and the overall quality of engagement.
Changing perceptions over time
The college’s decision was also shaped by how the solution had evolved. Since earlier evaluations, the platform has undergone significant enhancements, particularly in areas such as integration, cloud functionality, and overall usability.
These developments were clearly demonstrated during the most recent evaluation, where the solution showed strong alignment with the college’s requirements and a more advanced, user-focused experience. This progression played an important role in confirming Financials as the right choice.
Outcome
South Staffordshire College selected Financials based on its ability to simplify and streamline finance processes while aligning closely with operational needs.
By improving integration, reducing duplication, and enhancing usability, Financials provides a strong foundation for a more efficient and connected finance function going forward.
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About the author
OneAdvanced PR
Press Team
Our dedicated press team is committed to delivering thought leadership, insightful market analysis, and timely updates to keep you informed. We uncover trends, share expert perspectives, and provide in-depth commentary on the latest developments for the sectors that we serve. Whether it’s breaking news, comprehensive reports, or forward-thinking strategies, our goal is to provide valuable insights that inform, inspire, and help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
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