Over the past decade there’s been a surge in the uptake of cloud technology and as a result, the marketplace for cloud services is saturated with thousands of suppliers offering tens of thousands of services. This crowded market can prove a challenge to organisations searching for their ideal cloud solution; especially so for public sector bodies, who have strict criteria to adhere to when it comes to choosing a supplier.
To ease and simplify this procurement process, the UK Government established the Digital Marketplace – formerly known as the CloudStore – to serve as a directory of technology providers approved to supply to the public sector. Organisations providing cloud services through this marketplace are required to adhere to the standards of the Government’s G-Cloud framework. Becoming a supplier on this framework means that Silver Lining have met these standards, and are eligible to list ourselves on the Digital Marketplace under the Cloud Hosting category.
The UK Government recognises the importance of cloud technology in the modern age, having previously pledged to invest more than 50% of its IT budget into cloud-based solutions. The G-Cloud framework allows these organisations to fast-forward the tender process to acquire quality solutions with minimum fuss. As of January 2017, the Digital Marketplace has facilitated an impressive £1.7 billion in sales of these and other IT services.
Having already carried out a number of projects for public sector bodies, we have a greater understanding of the challenges faced by government-funded organisations. Our work with The Wessex Academic Health Sciences Network (AHSN) saw us transform their telecommunication strategy to ensure it was future proofed. By delivering a fully cloud-based environment, Wessex AHSN were able to allow for staff mobility, as well as adapting as the team grew.
To find out more about how we’ve supported the public sector, or our place on the G-Cloud framework, call us on 0845 313 1111.
