Skyscape And Partners Call For Changes To G-Cloud In Letter To GDS
Open letter suggests improvements to benefit UK public sector buyers, suppliers and, ultimately, tax payers
London – January 21st, 2014 – Skyscape Cloud Services Limited, the easy to adopt, easy to use and easy to leave cloud services company, today announced that ahead of G-Cloud 5 going to tender in February, it has sent an open letter to Government Digital Services (GDS) applauding the success to date of G-Cloud, but also offering suggestions for how future iterations of the Framework could further grow and improve the marketplace for all.
Skyscape Cloud Services’ open letter was sent on the 9th January and was also signed by 14 partners and stakeholders including Azeus UK, Bird and Bird, Datatank, Huddle, Informed Solutions, Konetic, Lockheed Martin UK, MDS Technologies, Osborne Clarke, Roc Technologies, SFW, The Agile Consultancy and Vysionics ITS.
The letter commended the G-Cloud Framework for how it has revolutionised the way in which the UK public sector can procure its IT. Furthermore, in the light of recent statements from the former White House CIO that G-Cloud could form the basis for a template for global procurement reform, the letter also outlined how the Framework now needs to evolve to meet growing demand as the market place matures. In order to ensure the initiative gains momentum and builds on its initial success, the open letter from Skyscape and stakeholders considered a number of key areas, including:
· Clarity on Government Protective Marking Scheme (GPMS) changes and PGA accreditation
· Length of contract term
· Terms and conditions, and safe contracting, under the G-Cloud
· Opportunities and challenges brought about by the government Cloud First policy
“With the Government’s Cloud First policy now firmly in place, the time has never been more right to focus on how we can make this initiative deliver even better results for all involved,” said Mike Nayler, Business Development, Global Solutions at Lockheed Martin.
Marek Baldy, Business Development Director at Konetic added, “I’m confident these suggestions for future iterations of the Framework will help encourage more buyers and suppliers to engage through G-Cloud, creating a far more vibrant and competitive market place.”
Mark Webber, Partner at law firm Osborne Clark, commented, “In order for G-Cloud to continue in the right direction, clear guidance around interpretation of contract terms to enable safe contracting is essential to ensure that all purchasers and providers are able to make the most of the opportunities available.”
Simon Hansford, CTO of Skyscape Cloud Services, concluded, “The G-Cloud Framework has been a tremendous success and continues to change the market for the better – reducing costs while increasing innovation, agility and choice. In sharing the collective experience of Skyscape, our partners and other stakeholders, our aim is to engage with GDS moving forward to help continually improve future Frameworks and to help transform government procurement. We think that the topics we have considered are common to many, and that the improvements we have recommended as a group will facilitate the changes needed to streamline processes and reduce costs to support the UK public sector and, ultimately, UK citizens and taxpayers.”
About Skyscape Cloud Services
Skyscape’s cloud solutions (http://www.skyscapecloud.com/) will help the UK Public Sector to transform the provision of IT services into a lean, elastic, assured, green utility by providing a genuine on-demand cloud computing service. With a range of UK sovereign services that are easy to adopt, easy to use and easy to leave, Skyscape’s solutions reduce both the risk and cost of delivering IT. Skyscape services have been accredited by CESG Pan Government Accreditor (PGA). The company has signed the government’s Procurement Pledge.
