Strategies for maximizing G-Cloud advantages in 7 easy steps
The G-Cloud Digital Marketplace, launched in 2012, aims to create a competitive ecosystem for small-medium IT suppliers to deliver services to government departments, local authorities, and the wider public sector. As we approach the end of the tax year and elections, it's crucial for public sector organisations to consider their future organisational plans, as budgets may change.
One challenge faced by service providers and new market entrants is the lack of analytics services within the portal, making it difficult to validate propositions. To overcome this, it's beneficial to create a shortlist of providers and engage in discussions about their services. When searching for Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), for instance, there are 1,698 options available, making a strategic approach essential.
To simplify the search process for non-technical personnel, a per-workload or per-application score could be used to create a waterline of providers that meet specific requirements. This approach allows organisations to focus on the most suitable providers, rather than wading through numerous options.
The Digital Marketplace offers two core evaluation models: Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) or the lowest price. However, it's important to remember that the framework allows for performance-based engagements with short contract terms, enabling easy and swift termination if a provider is not meeting expectations or delivering to Service Level Agreements (SLA).
The search results do not prioritise services based on their position in search results, so it's essential to consider options beyond the first page. Seek advice from framework-approved service providers to define technical requirements and translate desired outcomes into technical specifications.
The government predicts that spend through G-Cloud could reach £215 million by 2017, and as of the sixth iteration, there are 1,453 suppliers available through the Digital Marketplace. The government has also shown a commitment to the development of G-Cloud, with £168 million of contracts awarded to small and medium enterprises by September 2014.
It's crucial to consider the true costs and business impact to the payment schedule, and other customers' experiences with a supplier can provide valuable insights. However, some end users find the process too confusing and heavyweight, including having to take screenshots for audit purposes. The 'in spite of' behaviour, such as agreeing specific search terms with incumbent suppliers, is something to be aware of when navigating the Digital Marketplace.
The future developments of G-Cloud, such as G-Cloud 7, are eagerly anticipated. To get the most out of the Digital Marketplace, organisations need to work out their requirements or find out what they don't know and do their research. By doing so, public sector organisations can make informed decisions, find the right service providers, and reap the benefits of the G-Cloud framework.
