Introduction
Simplyhealth is a UK-based healthcare provider with more than 145 years of history and over three million customers. As a not-for-profit organisation, Simplyhealth exists solely to serve its members and support charitable causes. To meet growing demand for timely, self-service analytics while operating with a lean BI team, Simplyhealth partnered with WhereScape to automate its data warehouse and modernise its analytics capability.
Pre-WhereScape Challenges
- Inefficient ETL processes: Complex PL/SQL procedures made development slow and difficult to maintain.
- Single-point dependency: Only one developer could support certain processes, creating risk and bottlenecks.
- Slow refresh cycles: Weekly refreshes took up to eight hours, limiting timely insight.
- No historical comparisons: Truncation-based refreshes prevented time-based reporting and trend analysis.
- Limited team flexibility: BI staff were tied up maintaining infrastructure rather than delivering value.
Why WhereScape?
After evaluating multiple BI vendors, Simplyhealth selected WhereScape for its ability to automate the entire lifecycle: from source systems to data warehouse, rather than focusing solely on transformations. WhereScape’s code-generation approach ensured transparency, reduced reliance on individual developers, and allowed the whole team to understand, maintain and evolve the solution confidently.
“Another reason for feeling so comfortable with the WhereScape solution was the fact that it is a code generator and we were therefore able to read and understand the code that was being created.”
– Carl Richards, Business Intelligence Development Manager, Simplyhealth
The Solution
Design-First Prototyping
Using WhereScape 3D, Simplyhealth’s BI team prototyped data mart designs with real data, validating requirements with business users before build.
Automated Data Mart Delivery
WhereScape RED automated the build, deployment and operation of data marts, replacing manual PL/SQL processes.
Short, Iterative Development
Automation enabled shorter delivery cycles, closer collaboration with stakeholders, and predictable build timelines.
Fully Documented Architecture
All code, metadata and lineage are generated automatically, making the environment easier to support and audit.
“I would recommend WhereScape to anyone. For the first time, the business has documentation on our data warehouse and I have a lean, agile IT team working at maximum efficiency.”
– Carl Richards, Business Intelligence Development Manager, Simplyhealth
Results
🚀 Lean, High-Performing BI Team
- BI headcount reduced from 10 to 4 developers.
- No reduction in service quality meant fewer issues reported than ever.
- Team members redeployed to higher-value strategic initiatives.
🚀 Dramatically Faster Data Processing
- Refresh times reduced from 8 hours to 1 hour.
- Daily refreshes now standard.
- Average changes completed in minutes, not hours.
🚀 Accelerated Delivery
- New solution built by one developer in four weeks.
- Previous approach required an entire team for 18 months.
- Faster response to evolving business requirements.
“We couldn’t be happier. The results in efficiency alone have been worth the investment several times over!”
– Carl Richards, Business Intelligence Development Manager, Simplyhealth
Enabling Data Self-Service
Simplyhealth’s BI platform supports self-service analytics using Tableau and SQL Server Reporting Services. Business users can independently explore claims history, benefit entitlements and customer activity; reducing dependency on IT.
Reducing Risk Through Transparency
WhereScape’s automated documentation and readable code eliminated knowledge silos. Any team member can now support any process, improving resilience and continuity.
Designed for Continuous Change
Healthcare data requirements evolve constantly. WhereScape’s agile automation allows Simplyhealth to adapt quickly: without lengthy redevelopment or disruption.
A Platform for Future Growth
With core infrastructure automated, Simplyhealth is now expanding data-driven insight into new areas that were previously out of reach due to time and resource constraints.
