Google and SoftServe together

SoftServe placed “Agile delivery” at the project foundations, starting with mapping the “asis” process (from audit findings) and incrementally automating key assurance steps. There was then a phased rollout across key data and payment validation pipelines.

By embedding assurance in systemised workflows, payments would become more efficient. It would enable faster and more accurate decisions about relevant properties, stronger programme governance, and improved supplier confidence.

Modern platform

Under BDUK’s strategic direction, SoftServe placed “Agile delivery” at the project foundations, starting with mapping the existing systems and processes and incrementally automating key assurance steps. There was then a phased rollout across key data and payment validation pipelines.

The first step was the development of Data Backbone, a modern, cloud-native ingestion and validation platform created by SoftServe & BDUK. This would enable GIS Payments Automation, using Data Backbone as the core assurance tool.

Next, SoftServe extended Data Backbone pipelines to ingest, validate, and reconcile payment data and then automate further key programme data assurance checks to reduce manual effort. Dashboards were built for real-time monitoring of assurance process status.

This meant SoftServe built a single source of truth across all BDUK functions, which enabled business users to directly query the data through the new semantic layer. It laid the groundwork for BDUK to embark on building AI tools and agents, and it automated hundreds of data quality and assurance checks at the point of submission.

Standardised workflows

The introduction of standardised workflows provided efficiencies across finance and commercial teams and replaced manual reviews with structured, validated data. It also improved visibility with end-to-end dashboards and clearer ownership.

Together, this produced a substantial reduction in manual effort that allowed staff focus to shift from manual data validation to higher-value activities, such as property identification and treating exceptions, rather than repetitive checks. Pipeline acceleration significantly reduced ingestion times.

The technology used to bring this about included:

Modular design

The modular design ensures reusability for future programmes, all because of strong tri-partner collaboration between BDUK, SoftServe, and Google Cloud.

It now supports transparency in one of the U.K.’s largest public digital infrastructure programmes, while Data Backbone, initially built for supplier data ingestion, proved flexible enough to directly address the need for greater internal data consistency.

The success of the Data Backbone project demonstrated how a modular, cloud-native architecture can pivot to not only meet new assurance challengesn but also provide security for the sensitive data that was being processed.

Better governance

Access to faster, more reliable data meant better governance of the multi-billion-pound programme and reduced operational risk. BDUK has been able to more quickly scope and define its interventions and has increased supplier trust due to reduced risk of errors and delays in supplier payments.

The outcome also reduced the risk of overpayments or delays in subsidy allocation and was delivered on time and on budget. More importantly, by making the Data Backbone open source (available on request) for all Public Sector entities, it will enable savings for any future projects with other departments.

SoftServe was invited to the BDUK project as it is a Premier Google Cloud Services Partner with a track record of proven results. This status recognises our deep and recognized expertise in enabling clients to develop cloud-native applications through leveraging advanced technologies like AI/ML and data analytics. With over 700 certified Google Cloud professionals, we’ve successfully delivered hundreds of Google Cloud projects ranging from Fortune 100 enterprises to digital-native startups.