UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Chooses Microsoft Dynamics AX for agriculture program management

Working with Hitachi Solutions Europe, the UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is rolling out a new Microsoft Dynamics AX implementation. This is the first in a series of new IT systems that will transform the way Defra delivers the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in England. Once completed, the implementation will manage the financial and human resources system at the Rural Payments Agency, which employs over 4,000 individuals.

Defra is the UK government department responsible for policy and regulations on the natural environment, biodiversity, plants and animals; sustainable development and the green economy; food, farming and fisheries; animal health and welfare; environmental protection and pollution control; and rural communities and issues.

Hitachi Solutions Europe is developing and implementing a new running costs and scheme accounting system based on Microsoft Dynamics AX in phases to enable the efficient delivery of the CAP Delivery Programme. CAP is a system of agricultural subsidies and programmes that covers farming, environmental measures, and rural development.

According to Steven French, executive vice president of Hitachi Solutions Europe,

Defra is the first central government agency in the UK to implement Microsoft Dynamics AX technology. "We see this implementation as a showcase for demonstrating the benefits of Microsoft Dynamics in the public sector environment," he says.

French says Defra's search for a new financial system came down to two choices:  replace an existing Oracle system or implement the new Dynamics AX system. He says Defra's procurement department had a relatively short timeframe for rollout of the first part of the program, and was also working in a cost-sensitive environment. Finally, he says the organization was looking for ...