Computacenter and Government Procurement Service

Public sector organisations will be able to maximise the value of their IT outsourcing and out-tasking contracts thanks to the launch of a new managed services framework, which features Computacenter as an approved supplier.

The framework agreement, which is overseen by public sector procurement agency Government Procurement Service, will provide public sector organisations with fast, efficient and EU-compliant access to a wide range of IT managed services, from datacenter hosting and disaster recovery to desktop management and service desk facilities.

This is the first IT 'broad spectrum' managed service framework agreement developed by Government Procurement Service and includes 12 suppliers who meet stringent criteria for delivering value for money, quality services and sustainability. By purchasing services via the framework agreement, public sector organisations can take advantage of standard terms and conditions, benchmarking activities to ensure continued value for money, supplier management and audit services as well as shared information on best practices.

Chris Price, Public Sector Director at Computacenter, commented: "To survive the public sector budget squeeze, an increasing number of organisations are turning to out-tasked and outsourced IT service models to reduce costs while ensuring consistent service levels. Computacenter's inclusion in the new framework agreement affirms our managed service and public sector expertise."

Computacenter has 25 years' experience of working with the public sector and provides IT managed services for organisations such as Hampshire Constabulary and NHS Oldham.

Government Procurement Service is the national procurement partner for all UK public services, including central government organisations, local councils, the emergency services, NHS trusts and schools. The organisation was established in 2001 to maximise value for money for public bodies through the supply of goods and services.

The new framework caters for public sector ICT environments of all sizes, and incorporates, among others, the following managed services:

• Managed ICT devices (including servers, desktops, mobile devices, the network, printers and peripherals)
  
• Business continuity/disaster recovery
  
• Managed data hosting
  
• Hardware and software maintenance (including third party contracts)
  
• Remote access services
  
• IT service desk facilities
  
• Asset management

Computacenter has been awarded framework agreements for each of these areas, which can be delivered either as a standalone service or part of a fully outsourced model. The company has also been awarded a framework agreement for the supply of Commoditised IT Hardware and Software.

"Computacenter's inclusion on both Government Procurement Service framework agreements means public sector organisations can take a unified approach to sourcing, implementing and managing their IT, which will help reduce costs and complexity," comments Chris Price. "By combining industrialised services with best practice processes and proven technologies, we are able to provide public sector organisations with predictable, affordable and repeatable IT services and solutions."

The IT managed services framework went live 6 August 2010.

To find out how to procure services via the framework, go to:
www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/frameworks

 

Computacenter and Government Procurement Service

Computacenter is a leading partner on the new Government Procurement Service procurement framework for commoditised IT Hardware and Software (CITHS). Computacenter was the highest scoring partner in the IT Infrastructure hardware framework (Lot 2) and Software (Lot 3) and ranked second in the Desktop hardware framework (Lot 1).

Government Procurement Service is the national procurement partner for UK public services. It was established in 2001 as a result of the Gershon Report, through a merger of the procurement functions of the Buying Agency and CCTA. They are an Executive Agency of the Office of Government Commerce in the Treasury. The primary role of Government Procurement Service is to maximise the value for money obtained by Government departments and other public bodies through the procurement and supply of goods and services.

Computacenter is currently successfully trading under the IT Goods and Service Contract A217833. This covers Lots:

• Lot 1 Reseller
• Lot 2 Networking
• Lot 3 Client Devices
• Lot 4 Peripherals
• Lot 5 Consumables
• Lot 6 Operating Software
• Lot 7 Office Tools / Mics Apps
• Lot 8 Networks and Security
• Lot 9 Development Software
• Lot 10 Data Management Storage Software
• Lot 11 ERP Software

We also Trade under the Telecoms Framework RM374:

• Lot7 Networking
• Lot 11 Structured Cabling

What benefits does Government Procurement Service provide?

Procuring IT and Telecommunications products and associated services can be a time-consuming and costly process both for customers and suppliers. Government Procurement Service can reduce the time and costs associated with procurement by offering a pre-tendered call-off facility. The scheme provides the following benefits:

• Compliance with EC procurement legislation
• Ability to call of urgent requirements quickly
• Competitive prices
• Wide choice of products and associated services
• Ease of ordering
• Sound contractual protection based on best practice
• E-commerce facilities
• Improved management information

To find out how to procure services via the framework, go to:
www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/frameworks

 

The ‘Digital Continuity’ project is managed by The National Archives, and funded by central government. It was set up in 2007 to deliver a service that helps government ensure its essential business information remains usable for as long as it is needed. Public sector organisations will now be able to effectively manage their digital information assets through periods of organisational and technological change.

The service will allow organisations to access to the tools and techniques to help them understand how to protect and maximise the life of their digital information assets and underpinning this service is a new framework of technology and related services.

Computacenter has been awarded a place on the following lots for the Digital Continuity Framework:

• Lot 2 - Data Storage Consultancy.  Lot 2 allows us to provide storage related services to government agencies, and also any pre-packaged services, such as a storage assessment
•  Lot 7 - Digital Archiving. Lot 7 allows us to provide digital archiving solutions to the government

Computacenter can also offer a number of related services via the new framework.

This framework has been created with the full backing of Government Government Procurement Service, and has been invested in by all central government bodies. The service starts 6th January 2011.

Find out more about the Digital Continuity project

Computacenter and Value Wales

Value Wales has launched a new IT procurement framework for the public sector that will help boost the Welsh economy while enabling organisations to maximise value from their IT investments.

Computacenter is featured on both lots and can – upon request - provide a bespoke online catalogue of IT goods and services. Computacenter will also be able to provide a range of IT sourcing and supply chain services, such as logistics, configuration, installation and integration, via the agreement.

Why buy from Computacenter through Value Wales?

• Delivering value through a shared procurement strategy 
• Ultra competitive prices for desktops, laptops, servers and installation services 
• Wide choice of products & associated services 
• Well established Welsh base and focus 
• Flexible, responsive & reliable service 
• End-to-end suport from procurement through to installation & support 
• Access to a skilled team of sales specialists & engineers 
• E-procurement - we are able to offer you instant, free-of-charge access to 66,000 product via our webshop

 

Computacenter and NHS PRO-CURE

Computacenter has been awarded a major new contract for the supply of video-conferencing solutions to 75 NHS trusts in the south of England. Under the framework agreement, NHS trusts in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire will be able to access affordable and reliable video-conferencing technologies that can help improve the quality of patient care.

As sole supplier for the region, Computacenter will be responsible for supplying, installing and configuring new video-conferencing systems and peripherals based on a range of vendor technologies. It will also provide consultancy, training and support services as required and undertake a free assessment of trusts’ current video-conferencing facilities to ensure they are taking full advantage of their existing assets.

Computacenter has extensive experience of working with public sector organisations to implement cost-effective and reliable video-conferencing solutions, including East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, London Fire and Strathclyde Police.

Founded in 2006, PRO-CURE helps NHS trusts in the south of England take advantage of their combined buying power, resulting in lower IT capital expenditure.

Click here for more information

 

VMware Procurement Agreement

This pricing agreement has been transparently tendered through Government Procurement Service CITHS Framework to offer best value to the NHS and support virtualisation projects across all member health care organisations. In Partnership with NHS Shared Business Services/Re:Source East Midlands/LPP London/Yorkshire & Humber CPC, Computacenter and VMware have designed a commercial program to ensure cost efficiencies and IT innovations are within reach of every NHS trust in England, by offering consistent and predictable special pricing that was not previously available.

Computacenter and VMware have a successful ten year partnership, delivering virtualisation solutions to our customers. Our partnership has resulted in an unprecedented cost saving agreement with the NHS to offer up-to 20% savings across most of the NHS.

Download the datasheet to find out more

DfT Technology Training Framework

Approved contracted supplier