The Post Office is shaking things up with its new in-branch IT system. According to a source familiar with the project, they’re planning to mix what they have in Horizon, some in-house software, and ready-made platforms.
The Horizon system from Fujitsu, which has been at the center of a major scandal, is being replaced through something called the New Branch IT (NBIT) project. Initially, the plan was to develop everything in-house, but the project has gone wildly off track, with costs soaring by £1 billion and timelines extending significantly. Now, it looks like they’re leaning toward a blend of buying Horizon outright from Fujitsu, using the NBIT in-house developments, along with some commercial software to fill in the gaps. This approach has come back into favor, even though it was previously dismissed for specific reasons.
A damning review by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority earlier this year called the Horizon replacement project “currently unachievable,” as costs skyrocket from an initial £180 million to a staggering £1.1 billion, with possible delays stretching out five years. There’s been heated discussion about whether the Post Office should build a new system from scratch or purchase existing options. The source stated that the end result will likely combine buying Horizon, some effective elements from the in-house project, and off-the-shelf suppliers to bridge any remaining gaps.
When asked for comments, the Post Office stated that they’re still weighing their options and haven’t made any final decisions about the future of the program. The Horizon system has already been linked to wrongful prosecutions of numerous subpostmasters, leading to a scandal that has captured public attention, especially following ITV’s dramatization of the events.
Transformations inside the Post Office are ongoing, and Andy Nice, their chief transformation officer, hinted in a recent interview that whatever way they move forward, the work done in the NBIT project will still hold value and not go to waste. The key question surrounding Horizon’s future is currently under review.
There’s a bit of a divide within the Post Office, with some teams expressing a strong interest in keeping Horizon around, while others are resistant to change. Complicating matters, there are allegations being investigated regarding misrepresentations made by the former transformation chief about alternative off-the-shelf options.
Fujitsu’s contract for Horizon is set to finish in March 2026, and the Post Office is in the midst of transferring all Horizon data to their own systems in preparation. In a recent speech, chairman Nigel Railton emphasized the goal of progressively transforming their technology and data to better serve postmasters. He mentioned the focus would be on delivering these changes gradually rather than in a sudden overhaul.
The issues surrounding the Post Office first came to light through Computer Weekly back in 2009, revealing the struggles of seven subpostmasters affected by the problematic software.