G-Cloud needs to evolve with the market to arrest a recent slump in sales through the framework, says Bhuwan Kaushik.
Four years after the Government’s G-Cloud framework was launched and it has facilitated a number of transformations within public sector IT systems.
Largely giving departments and organisations greater agility and flexibility in the services they use and projects they’re running.
What’s more, compared to relying on legacy equipment and systems, the move to the cloud has also saved considerable amounts of taxpayer money.
In terms of numbers, there have been deals worth more than £1 million, thousands worth more than £100,000, and tens of thousands of individual transactions – demonstrating the sheer scale of demand that needs to be met in public sector IT.
Growing pains
The IT world is changing, however, the number of cloud services available has sky rocketed and G-Cloud is only set to grow.
In fact, it’s becoming one of the most competitive marketplaces in any industry and, given the compliance and regulatory issues surrounding the public sector, its success will likely to dictate the vendors selected in other highly regulated industries such as finance.
Having access to in excess of 22,000 services and 2,300 suppliers though, comes with its own problems; the G-Cloud machine is facing growing pains.
Most recently of which is a sales plateau. In February 2016 sales figures were at £40m, compared to £42m the same month the previous year; a five percent drop.
With G-Cloud 8 open for applications next month and G-Cloud 9 in its discovery phase, the time is right for a frank discussion on how G-Cloud is evolving.
The discovery phase of G-Cloud 9, where comments are invited on potential improvements, will be the IT industry’s chance to shape G-Cloud for the better and for the future market that’s on the horizon.
Steps to evolution
In May 2013 the Cabinet Office issued a ‘cloud-first’ mandate, to encourage public sector departments to take the plunge with cloud.
With clear support for the agility and flexibility gains of the cloud, it’s a problem that this mandate is being ignored by so many departments.
While for some departments there may be perfectly viable reasons to not use the G-Cloud, there are many others that are blindly sticking to old habits – and this should be challenged.
Largely, the problem is likely to be human nature’s aversion to change. While the public sector is right to be cautious and consider its procurement decisions carefully, purchasing cloud services through G-Cloud shouldn’t be seen as the risky option, simply because it’s newer.
To get more out of G-Cloud, there needs to be more rigorous enforcement of it as a procurement tool within the public sector.
The G-Cloud system should be looked at with an open mind, similar projects in other Government departments should be analysed to inform decisions, and it’s also worth looking to the private sector to identify the potential advantages of cloud.
Failing to do this, could see Government departments turn their back on significant efficiencies and potential tax payer savings.
Arguably, the fall in the rate of sales on the G-Cloud framework is because smaller ‘quick-win’ projects have been achieved, but this leaves the more complex, potentially much more important projects, still needing to be addressed.
With more complicated elements there may also be a need for industry-specific expertise and perhaps even a call for subject matter experts to take a view.
It is important that all these elements are considered at the initial stages of a project, to ensure its smooth running, rather than retrospectively trying to ‘fix’ a project that has been rushed into and consequently gone wrong.
A further criticism of the current G-Cloud system is that the current inefficiencies mean that IT departments are using the service to select the same supplier they would have chosen without the service – negating any benefit of having the G-Cloud framework.
This is supported by CRN statistical analysis that finds the total sales figure – now in excess of £1 billion – was achieved through sales with only 653 suppliers.
The majority of sales value (50.4 percent) was shared out by 30 suppliers, and 17 of these were large firms. Even more worrying is that only 653 suppliers – 25 percent of those on the G-Cloud framework – had made a sale at all.
One way to rectify this is to allow vendors to collaborate with IT departments and talk about requirements of a project and how they can be met. If those within the public sector published what they needed, for example, a fairer competition would ensue in terms of selecting a supplier.
The cloud has transformed IT departments across the UK – and indeed the world – both in the private and public sphere.
It has huge potential in terms of what it can offer both SMEs and those IT departments selecting suppliers and services. Like anything, however, it needs to evolve with the market and continue to reinvent itself to meet demand.
In my opinion, the Government needs to convince more people to use it, make it more collaborative and ensure there is an efficient communication process to meet the demands of the future.
Bhuwan Kaushik is chief executive of IT and digital services provider Spectromax
buying prescription drugs in mexico: mexico drug stores pharmacies – Mexican Easy Pharm
https://cytpharm.shop/# cytotec online
prednisone tablets canada
http://dappharm.com/# Priligy tablets
buying prednisone from canada
top farmacia online http://farmaprodotti.com/# farmacie online affidabili
farmacia online senza ricetta
https://taya777.icu/# Many casinos have beautiful ocean views.
Slot tournaments create friendly competitions among players.
A variety of gaming options cater to everyone.: taya365 login – taya365 com login
Casino promotions draw in new players frequently. http://taya365.art/# Loyalty programs reward regular customers generously.
A variety of gaming options cater to everyone.: taya777 register login – taya777 login
Manila is home to many large casinos. https://taya365.art/# The ambiance is designed to excite players.
http://winchile.pro/# Las ganancias son una gran motivaciГіn.
The casino industry supports local economies significantly.
Casinos often host special holiday promotions.: phtaya login – phtaya casino
The thrill of winning keeps players engaged.: phmacao com login – phmacao club
Many casinos provide shuttle services for guests. https://jugabet.xyz/# Las mГЎquinas tienen diferentes niveles de apuesta.
La mГєsica acompaГ±a la experiencia de juego.: winchile.pro – win chile
The thrill of winning keeps players engaged. https://taya365.art/# Security measures ensure a safe environment.
Casinos offer delicious dining options on-site.: phmacao casino – phmacao club
The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene. http://taya777.icu/# Slot machines attract players with big jackpots.
The poker community is very active here.: taya365 login – taya365
Loyalty programs reward regular customers generously. https://jugabet.xyz/# La seguridad es prioridad en los casinos.
The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.: phmacao casino – phmacao club
The casino industry supports local economies significantly. https://winchile.pro/# Los jugadores deben conocer las reglas.
Casinos often host special holiday promotions.: taya777 login – taya777 app
The Philippines offers a rich gaming culture. https://taya777.icu/# Casino visits are a popular tourist attraction.
https://winchile.pro/# Las aplicaciones mГіviles permiten jugar en cualquier lugar.
Players can enjoy high-stakes betting options.
La pasiГіn por el juego une a personas.: jugabet chile – jugabet.xyz
http://jugabet.xyz/# Las apuestas mГnimas son accesibles para todos.
Promotions are advertised through social media channels.
Slot machines feature various exciting themes.: taya777.icu – taya777 login
https://jugabet.xyz/# Los jugadores disfrutan del pГіker en lГnea.
Security measures ensure a safe environment.
Some casinos feature themed gaming areas.: phtaya.tech – phtaya login
http://phtaya.tech/# The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.
Players enjoy both fun and excitement in casinos.
Many casinos provide shuttle services for guests.: taya777 login – taya777 register login
https://phmacao.life/# The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.
The casino scene is constantly evolving.
The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.: taya365 – taya365
https://taya777.icu/# Slot machines feature various exciting themes.
Casino promotions draw in new players frequently.
Las apuestas mГnimas son accesibles para todos.: winchile – winchile
https://phmacao.life/# Many casinos have beautiful ocean views.
Players enjoy both fun and excitement in casinos.
Gambling regulations are strictly enforced in casinos. https://jugabet.xyz/# Los jugadores deben conocer las reglas.
http://phtaya.tech/# Some casinos feature themed gaming areas.
A variety of gaming options cater to everyone.
Los bonos de bienvenida son generosos.: winchile casino – win chile
п»їLos casinos en Chile son muy populares.: win chile – winchile
Slot tournaments create friendly competitions among players. http://phtaya.tech/# Loyalty programs reward regular customers generously.
https://phmacao.life/# Casinos offer delicious dining options on-site.
High rollers receive exclusive treatment and bonuses.
Slot machines feature various exciting themes.: phtaya casino – phtaya login
The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.: taya365 com login – taya365