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by Michael Burdett, Category Manager – Digital & IT NHS Shared Business Services. |
With cloud adoption growing across the public sector, and with central government continuing to champion a Cloud First approach, many organisations are asking the same question: how do we move forward confidently and safely?
From the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to growing expectations around sustainability, cloud infrastructure is becoming more important than ever. But it also brings its own challenges, and it’s not always easy to know where to start.
Let’s take a look at what’s driving demand, what hurdles you might face, and how our Cloud Solutions 2 Framework Agreement can help you navigate it all with ease.
Why cloud is a priority right now
Cloud services come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s part of what makes them so powerful. You can choose cloud solutions that can be sourced as a solution hosted on-premises (on-prem), off-site (off-prem) or a hybrid of the two. But with choice comes complexity.
Organisations often find themselves thinking about:
- How to design the right cloud architecture
- How to plan and manage a smooth migration
- How to protect continuity of service
- How to maintain strong cyber security
How do you tackle these challenges?
Cloud Solutions 2 (CS2) Framework Agreement provides a straightforward way to access a wide range of cloud-related needs, whether you’re just starting to explore your options or already planning a full migration.
Lot 1: Design and consultancy
If you’re in the planning stage, this Lot is for you. It covers services such as:
- System mapping
- Cloud readiness assessments
- Migration planning
Think of it as getting your foundations right before you make the big move.
Lot 2: Cloud services (our most popular Lot)
This Lot lets you source:
- SaaS (Software as a Service)
- PaaS (Platform as a Service)
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
It’s ideal if you’re ready to deploy cloud services and need scalable, flexible options.
Lot 3: Cloud support
Once you’re in the cloud, you might need help keeping everything running smoothly. Lot 3 offers:
- Real time support
- Telephone and on site support
- Ongoing maintenance services
Lot 4: End to end solutions
If your requirements are more complex, Lot 4 brings everything together, allowing you to procure a full cloud solution.
How cloud supports the wider public sector
As more public sector organisations move their services into the cloud, they’re seeing real benefits in how they work and what they can offer to the public. Cloud platforms help teams move away from ageing legacy systems, giving them the tools to build and run modern digital services more quickly and with far less complexity.
Government guidance highlights that cloud allows teams to spend less time managing infrastructure and more time improving public facing services, and case studies have shown meaningful savings, for example, the Home Office cut its cloud costs by around 40% after modernising its environment. Cloud supports stronger security by aligning with national cyber security best practice, helping organisations protect sensitive information while making services more reliable and sustainable in the long term.
Cloud adoption can help the public sector work in a more joined up way. With shared platforms and easier data access, teams can collaborate more effectively and break down the barriers that often get in the way of service improvement. An example of this is the Ministry of Justice’s shared analytics platform, which supports hundreds of professionals every day and helps departments make better use of their data.
Cloud plays a key role in enabling innovation, including AI, and supports organisations in meeting their sustainability goals by reducing reliance on traditional on premises systems, which supports, the public sector in continuing its commitment to carbon reduction.
Altogether, cloud gives organisations the flexibility, resilience and modern tools needed to deliver faster, smarter and more connected services for citizens.
Why use Cloud Solutions 2?
Cloud Solutions 2 offers you a mix of market leaders, resellers and small medium enterprises (SMEs). It offers:
- A straightforward, efficient order process
- One of the lowest rebate/ABI rates compared to competitors
- A single order form used for both direct awards and further competitions
- Flexible call-off durations to match your needs
- A trusted network of pre vetted suppliers, so you can focus on your project rather than the procurement admin
Flexible routes to market
Accessing our framework agreement is designed to be straightforward – you can use direct award or further competition, depending on the scale and complexity of your requirements.
Our category experts are available to help determine the most appropriate route, and we can provide optional support to run further competitions on behalf of your organisation too. Where a wider, collaborative approach is needed, we can work with you to collaborate and implement a single contract across multiple organisations.
If you would like to explore how we could support your organisation, our team is here to help.
