CloudStore: ICT Buyer’s Guide for UK Public Sector

The new storefront for public sector ICT

CloudStore has been created by the UK Government to make the purchasing of ICT as simple and transparent as possible. The recently launched CloudStore 2.0 now lists over 3000 cloud-based products and services available to the UK public sector from over 400 different vendors.

However, one key discovery from the initial phase of CloudStore has been that public sector ICT leaders are not always sure how to move from a wholly-owned, capital-intensive ICT model to the as a Service model of the cloud – or indeed what the business case is.

That's why CSC has supported the Government G-Cloud programme by creating a CloudStore Buyer's Guide . It's your essential reference, designed to help you avoid the potential pitfalls of the new as a Service world, and give tips and advice on choosing cloud ICT providers you can trust.

With CloudStore 2.0, we have reaffirmed our commitment to the GCloud Programme, having tripled the number of services that we now offer, from 9 to 34, focusing on security, business applications and open source/licence cost fee services, all detailed in our new, updated version of the Buyer’s Guide.

Explore the CloudStore Buyer’s Guide

In the Guide, you'll find everything the public sector ICT professional needs to know about buying through CloudStore.

Supporting the
HM Government - G-Cloud

Read the guide » (PDF, 1.3MB)

WATCH VIDEO

Alan Hardiman of CSC introduces the CloudStore ICT Buyer’s Guide

Alan Hardiman of CSC introduces the CloudStore ICT Buyer’s Guide

ACCESSING AS A SERVICE

The four main areas in which as a Service services can be accessed are:

Infrastructure: the entire ICT environment, or components within it, can be consumed as a service, on a scalable, pay as you go basis.
Software applications: core applications will increasingly be bought on an as a Service basis, helping to rationalise complex application estates and control costs.
Business activities: the growth of Business Process Outsourcing will continue, as more business processes and services are consumed as services.
Content: Specialised on-demand data and information management services will increasingly be consumed as Business Intelligence as a Service (BiaaS).

ADVANTAGES OF CLOUD

The as-a-Service model delivers major benefits:

Scalability
End to capex
Speed and agility
Reducing costs

WHY CLOUDSTORE?

CloudStore is designed to provide:

Pre-qualification of suppliers
Choice
Visiblity
Cost-efficiency
Quality

AVOIDING POTENTIAL TRAPS

Understand the traps that public sector buyers of cloud ICT need to avoid:

Unsuitable service
Fitting into your current landscape
Being left high and dry
The security issue
Being ready

COMPARING CLOUD SUPPLIERS

Not all as-a-Service suppliers are equal. You still need to be clear about vendor issues such as:

Performance
Long-term support
Compliance
Innovation
Lock-in

Read the guide » (PDF, 1.3MB)

CSC, your trusted partner for public sector ICT

CSC is always ready to engage with public sector organisations on a no-obligation basis, to discuss the ICT issues that matter most to you. The future may be challenging for UK public sector ICT, but we believe it will also be positive and exciting – thanks to initiatives like the G-Cloud programme and CloudStore.

LEARN MORE

Read the guide:
Download your copy of the CloudStore Buyer's Guide, including CSC's 34 offerings.
(PDF, 1.3MB)

Full details of CSC's offerings available through CloudStore.