PFI and Public Libraries in the UK

The main objective of the study was to obtain detailed operational, financial and contractual information on the use of PFI for public libraries in the UK. Two high profile cases were analysed in the study, by conducting interviews with those who are involved from both the authority and consortium sides. The need for structured periods of short-term flexible contracting to meet changing service demands within the overall contract period was found to be critical.

Study on Software Packages for Operation and Maintenance of Trains

This study was subsequent to a research concerning the latest trend of PFI/PPP in the UK for the same client, who intended to enter the operation and maintenance business in the railway sector. In the study, European suppliers' software systems for train operation and asset management were analysed. There are several packaged systems for train operation, which are easy to use with a few weeks' training, although no complete asset management systems are available in the market yet. It is expected that more packaged systems will become available as more companies enter the train operation and maintenance business.