Finance System Cloud Migration

In October 2023, Unit4 announced the end-of-life for on-premise support with effect from 31 December 2024 for all its customers globally as part of its Software as a Service [SAAS] product strategy. The December 2024 deadline was extended for the University until December 2025 at which point we are required to commit to upgrade and migrate to a fully cloud-based solution by December 2026 or purchase a new ERP/Finance system. The Unit4 software is core to the financial operations of the University having been originally procured in 1999. It is fully embedded throughout the organisational infrastructure for the management and operation of the University's finances and is currently supported on premise. The announcement to end on-premise support from Unit 4 was completely unforeseeable by the University and as a consequence of this the University does not have enough time to fully procure a brand-new ERP/Finance System and undertake a fully competitive procurement process, test and implement new software from an alternative provider and train the workforce in the timeframes outlined by Unit 4. Changing providers in this timeframe would cause the University immense technical difficulties, introduce new complexities and have additional financial implications. It is the University's opinion therefore that a direct award to Unit4 is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 as outlined in section 41 (5) (d). The justifications for this, are twofold 1) technical difficulties as outlined in Schedule 5 section 7b 2) extreme and unavoidable urgency as outlined in Schedule 5 section 13