Softcat presses forwards with G-Cloud ‘invasion’

Softcat’s G-Cloud framework invasion is in full force, having tendered for two lots on the latest version of G-Cloud 5: infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and software as a service (SaaS). Softcat now offers Becrypt, Egress Software Technologies and AirTight Networks solutions to public sector customers through the framework.
Currently in its fifth iteration, G-Cloud is proving a hit with customers and vendors alike; over a thousand vendors are now supplying to public sector organisations via the framework, and total G-Cloud sales have reached £175m. While 80% of total sales by value were through central government, 20% were through the wider public sector, indicating widening awareness and adoption of G-Cloud purchasing. G-Cloud 5 is a fully-approved purchasing framework, which means that public sector organisations benefit from a faster, more cost effective purchasing cycle and more competitive pricing.

Softcat’s public sector frameworks manager, Andy Bruen, discussed Softcat’s determination to increase its stake in the G-Cloud framework: “Every year at every new phase of the G-Cloud framework we expand our offering to public sector customers with new, diverse and interesting products, and new vendor alliances, because we want to keep our offering as fresh and exciting as possible. We’re continually strengthening our foothold on this lucrative framework, and as more public sector customers are becoming aware of the cost and resource saving benefits of G-Cloud, we’re witnessing a steady stream of adopters across all organisations – from central government through to the education and health sectors. G-Cloud provides customers with more productivity, improves agility, and frees up IT resources for creating business advantage."

He added, “Now our public sector customers have more choice than ever, with these new technologies from Egress, AirTight and Becrypt. These partnerships offer customers scalability and reliability of service at competitive prices. G-Cloud 5 is a resource-light, cost-effective purchasing option for public sector organisations seeking to strengthen their IT infrastructures and security, and it’s a new profitable route to market for our vendors. We’re already talking to several vendors for inclusion on the next phase of the G-Cloud framework scheduled for November.”

New G-Cloud 5 products
Softcat will supply AirTight’s cloud wireless solution – the first of its kind to be made available through the G-Cloud, and sure to be popular with customers as the proliferation of BYOD increases demand for wireless infrastructure. Softcat will also provide Becrypt’s secure remote-access product for improved desktop security for staff working away from the office, which is available across a range of laptop and tablet devices. Finally, Softcat will be expanding Egress’ existing presence on G-Cloud by reselling its encryption products and services, which include Secure Email, Secure File Transfer, and Secure Web Form, helping public sector customers to avoid data breaches.

Simon Hollister, AirTight’s EMEA Director, said: “AirTight’s secure, “controllerless”, cloud managed wireless solution is the first of its kind to be sold through G-Cloud, so this is a very exciting opportunity for us. It’s crucial for public sector organisations to provide secure wireless infrastructures, to cater for BYOD, PCI Compliance, guest and corporate access and to ultimately improve the end user experience whilst delivering analytical information back to the organisation. We’re looking forward to meeting their needs with Softcat’s help.”

Dr. Bernard Parsons, CEO of Becrypt said; “Softcat has a great reputation and proven track record of having the skills that are required for successful delivery of these services. Our joint solution is the most cost effective way for Government departments and public sector bodies to provide secure remote access connectivity that complies with Government requirements and supports a broad range of devices from laptops and tablets to mini PC form factors. G-Cloud 5 provides the ideal platform for public sector organisations to adopt new technology providing the business agility and flexibility that firms in the private sector now take for granted.”
Daniel Hoy, UK marketing manager at Egress, said: “G-Cloud is a key procurement framework for Egress, so we’re delighted to be extending our reach via Softcat, whom we regard as a key strategic partner for 2014. We work with customers across UK government, whom depend upon the highest levels of data security, and Softcat already has great reach in the public sector – it feels like a natural pairing for us.” He added, “Our email encryption product, Egress Switch, is currently the only UK Government CPA Foundation Grade certified email encryption product available on the market, so it’s officially fit for government use. In addition to this assurance, by buying Egress through the G-Cloud as an SaaS model, customers have the added benefits of competitive pricing and scalability.”

Softcat is working with a number of partners to deliver products and services through G-Cloud. Softcat has tendered at every stage of the G-Cloud evolution, steadily increasing its foothold on the framework with 18 vendors and 42 different service provisions, including Graphnet’s CareCentric electronic record software and Mimecast’s unified email management software.