Macmillan Cancer deploys modern data platform.

Macmillan Cancer deploys modern data platform.

Macmillan Cancer Support (Macmillan) has partnered with leading digital transformation provider and data and AI specialist, ANS, to implement a modern data platform in Azure and mature their data and analytics capability to enable them to improve the lives of those living with cancer.

Originally founded in 1911 as the Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer, Macmillan is now recognised as the UK’s favourite charity and the leading source of holistic cancer support.

For many years Macmillan has been collecting data but lacked the analytics architecture to be able to use the data to its full potential to help the organisation make decisions or understand how or where services could be further developed to support those living with cancer.

To realise their data and analytic capability, Macmillan formulated the Data Optimise project which aims to transform how Macmillan store, govern, analyse and report on data to deliver their strategy – enabling Macmillan to gain maximum value from their data, and in turn deliver even more value to their customers.

To deliver on this ambition, Macmillan has partnered with ANS to build and deploy an Azure Synapse modern data platform, which will provide centralised data and analytics capabilities, with three lighthouse use cases also to be delivered which will showcase benefits for teams across the charity.

Together we are approaching the implementation in a highly collaborative manner, with Macmillan being involved in ‘hands-on’ implementation, working alongside ANS. This has been achieved by utilising ANS’ professional services and the unique offering of a Co-Managed Data Service for proactive support, as well as the Data Centre of Excellence team providing mature data and AI skillsets to work alongside the internal Macmillan team in delivery of some of the use cases.

The technical architecture of the modern data platform ensures Macmillan are making use of ever-green, flagship Azure Data and AI services with a platform that is also scalable for future needs.

The lighthouse use cases will allow Macmillan to:

• Bring together multiple data sources to create a single source of truth and understand the performance and quality of the Macmillan Service Line.
• Develop a holistic, UK-wide view of the information that underpins investment decisions.
• Implement a single customer view that allows Macmillan to move to a customer-centric approach by using data to understand what the ‘next best ask’ is for their customers.

Speaking on the project, Clara Avery, Director of Insight & Performance, said “ANS were the Microsoft partner of choice for us due to their accredited expertise and their collaborative and unique approach. Our internal project team here at Macmillan, has worked side by side with ANS expertise and this hands-on collaborative approach has strengthened our skills and ensured knowledge is transferred and banked for future success. From the start, ANS have listened to what we need and how we want to work and have provided the flexibility we needed to achieve success.”

ANS’ CTO Joe Wolski said: “We’re delighted to be working with such a household name charity in the likes of Macmillan and to help them achieve their data and AI ambitions. This project will enable them to reap the benefits of a best practice architecture while also providing three use cases to spread the value of maturing their data and AI capabilities around the organisation from day one.”