Istekki

Three wellbeing services counties implemented a common data pool solution – for the benefit of the taxpayer

The transition to wellbeing services counties is historically one of the most significant changes in the structure of Finnish society. Istekki, Solita and Productivity Leap wanted to implement a data warehouse solution for the wellbeing services counties of Pirkanmaa, North Ostrobothnia and Northern Savonia that uses modern technology and innovative thinking, and meets national requirements. The implementation is exceptional in Finland and worldwide. The Social and Health Services Data Pool solution, which can be replicated in other wellbeing counties, saves ten times as much time, money and work.

A major societal transformation took place in Finland when the wellbeing services counties started operating in January 2023. Istekki, an information and health and wellbeing technology expert organisation owned by wellbeing services counties, hospital districts, municipalities and joint municipal authorities, wanted to build a comprehensive raw data platform for its customers.

The platform will enable statutory data management and reporting as required by the Virta project, which is coordinated by DigiFinland. The aim of the project is to provide the management of the counties wellbeing services with reliable and up-to-date information and to support the counties in improving their knowledge management capabilities. To facilitate information management and operational development, nationally common minimum information requirements have been defined for all wellbeing services counties regarding, for example, on reporting on the need, availability, quality, effectiveness and cost of services.

As a result of a tender for the automated data warehouse system, Istekki selected Solita and Agile Data Engine as the solution.

Results

  • Three wellbeing services counties have simultaneously implemented a data pool solution based on the same principles
  • The project will provide Finland’s wellbeing services counties a new model for data storage that will save human resources, money and time
  • Istekki’s data business practices were renewed. Deeper experience with agile methods was gained, with a clear extension of the previous experience
  • Easier continued development work between data pools
  • Meeting regulatory requirements and reporting needs will be much easier for the wellbeing services counties
  • Data pool solution can be replicated in other wellbeing services counties – no need to reinvent the wheel
  • Architecture where different hubs are isolated in their own packages. The solution also provides ready-made descriptions for reporting agents in other domains

Istekki and Solita wanted to create the same structures and reports for three different wellbeing services counties: Pirkanmaa, North Ostrobothnia and Northern Savonia. The architecture of the solution allows parallel implementations for different wellbeing services counties. The integration of each social and health source system only needs to be implemented once so that it can also be replicated in the other 18 wellbeing services counties. The goal was to make extensive use of automation.

“When clear instructions were given on how to manage and measure wellbeing services counties at the state level, we wanted to create a solution in a new way so that we could offer the minimum data reporting package to all three wellbeing services counties. The scope of the project is very large, as the information comes from various different source systems in each of the three wellbeing services counties,” says Satu Matikainen, Business Manager in charge of Data and Analytics at Istekki.

"Solita is a good partner because it has a wide range of resources for a wide range of needs – data engineers, report writers, more experienced architecture experts and designers."Antti Koskinen, Group Manager, Istekki

A completely new solution in the world of data storage

A similar data warehousing implementation has never been seen in Finland.

“We were looking for a solution that did not require reinventing the wheel. The transition to wellbeing services counties is a major societal change that requires new ways of thinking and implementing . We did not want a point-based solution, but an implementation that serves everyone. This solution also benefits the taxpayer by saving time, money and personnel significantly,” says Tuomas Alivuotila, Head of Agile Data Engine at Solita.

He praised Istekki for its courage in choosing technology. “They believed that a completely new solution was possible.”

Solita’s extensive expertise was convincing

Maintaining the wellbeing services counties requires the implementation of various new solutions related to telecommunications and technology.

“That’s why we wanted a partner with the right resources. Solita is a good partner because it has a wide range of resources for a wide range of needs – data engineers, report writers, more experienced architecture experts and designers”, says Antti Koskinen, Group Manager at Istekki.

The project was a collaboration between Istekki, Solita and Productivity Leap. What did you learn from the multifunctional model?

“We had a lot of open discussions about different operating models in retrospective meetings – what went well, what is the best option? What things need to be corrected? We also found that it was important to have live workshops. In-person meetings have definitely improved collaboration. Boldly raising issues, discussing them and respecting others have been key factors in successful cooperation,” says Istekki’s Matikainen.

"We didn't want a point-based solution, but an implementation that serves everyone. This solution also benefits the taxpayer by saving time, money and personnel significantly."Tuomas Alivuotila, Head of Customer Success, Solita Agile Data Engine

Istekki took a giant leap in agile development

With the partnership, Istekki also wanted to renew its working methods. The company had never used agile methods on such a large scale before.

“Agile development is the way to manage a company like this . The practices and roles of agile development were new to us. This has required the teams to adapt, as there are experts from three different organisations, each with its own operating culture. However, the cooperation has been good,” says Istekki’s Matikainen.

“Istekki made and wanted to make, a huge leap when they trusted Solita and they wanted to do agile data development with us,” says Solita’s Account Director Sanna Virkkunen.

Istekki’s Koskinen also thinks that the cooperation is going very well. “My image of Solita is that they are highly skilled and professional, and I know I can trust them to deliver what we have agreed.”

”My image of Solita is that they are highly skilled and professional, and I know I can trust them to deliver what we have agreed.”
Antti Koskinen, Group Manager, Istekki

A little effort for better and more diverse reports

“With this project, the three wellbeing services counties will get a completely new kind of model for storing data, which will save resources and meet official requirements,” says Jukka Jääheimo, Data Architect at Solita.

From now on, it will be easy for the wellbeing services counties to monitor their management and finances with the help of this new solution. Once the data has been transferred to the data pools, it is easy and efficient for the wellbeing services counties to create reports. The solution developed by Istekki, Solita and Productivity Leap will also work for all other wellbeing services counties in Finland.

“I think others should consider this kind of cooperation – together we are more than the sum of our parts. Others should look for expertise in this kind of partnership model, where all parties contribute their best,” says Istekki’s Matikainen.

It will be easier for the counties to meet reporting requirements in the future. “ The solution clearly makes it easier to find resources in similar environments that operate according to the same principles. Documentation is easier if you don’t have to build everything from scratch. Similar operating logic will continue to bring clear cost benefits to society,” says Koskinen.

Interested? Contact us!

Sanna Virkkunen

Account Director, Senior Consultant, Health and Wellbeing

[email protected]

+358403539901