Microsoft appointed to Government’s ‘G-Cloud’ Framework

Microsoft has today been appointed to the Government Procurement Services’ ‘G-Cloud’ Framework following the completion of the formal bid process. The business has been successfully appointed on all four Lots: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS as well as cloud consulting services. In addition, a number of Microsoft’s UK SME partners have also won a place as part of the Framework.

The G-Cloud approach is part of the Government’s commitment to see public cloud services account for 50% of new Government ICT spending by 2015. Microsoft will provide a package of its key public cloud online services including Windows Azure, Office 365, CRM Online and Microsoft Consulting Services to deliver the objectives of the Government’s Strategic Implementation Plan.

Microsoft has been committed to the G-Cloud since its inception over two years ago. The company was directly involved in the original G-Cloud consultation programme facilitated by Intellect, and Microsoft UK’s Chief Security Advisor, Stuart Aston was selected as the Industry Co-Lead on the G-Cloud Information Assurance Workstream.

Commenting on the successful bid, Nicola Hodson, General Manager Public Sector, Microsoft UK said, “Today’s appointment allows the UK public sector to benefit from Microsoft’s long term investment in Cloud technology. We are also delighted to see a number of Microsoft partners, mostly UK SMEs, successfull bid to be part of the framework, all building cloud solutions for the public sector based on Microsoft technologies.

“We believe these technologies will effectively support the UK Government’s objective to deliver 50% of its new IT services from the cloud by 2015 and to continue to drive overall costs down at the same time.”

Microsoft partners involved in the Framework include Basingstoke-based SME Solidsoft which has built the CloudStore App hosted on Microsoft’s Windows Azure, to enable search and procurement of services from the G-Cloud suppliers.

“Our work on this project, built on Microsoft technology, will help advance the uptake of cloud technology and fuel the growth of the UK’s IT SMEs,” commented Garth Pickup, CEO of Solidsoft. “The Cloudstore will help the public sector harness the agility and innovation that SMEs bring to the table. At the same time, it will help those SMEs to conduct effective business with Government, on a level playing field with their larger counterparts.” commented Garth Pickup, CEO of Solidsoft.

For further information and enquiries, please contact:

Tel: Media hotline: 0845 602 5628

Email: UKprteam@microsoft.com

Posted by Howard.