Government funds on way for VARs
VARs could benefit from government's latest IT strategy document
More public sector cash could be pushed towards the channel following the publication of the government’s latest IT strategy document which calls for a new supplier management framework.
The Transformational Government, published late last week, is designed to transform UK public services through IT and calls for “active management” of IT suppliers, using a standard assessment framework.
The document also recommends creation of an agreed performance plan for each major supplier to improve service delivery. The govern-ment claimed reforms will allow departments to incorporate products and services from SME suppliers.
Prime minister Tony Blair, said technology is a key factor in every aspect of government.
“The future of public services has to use technology to give citizens choice, with personalised services designed around their needs not the needs of the provider,” he said.
Ian White, public sector industry director at Oracle UK, said the report will have implications for the channel’s dealings with local government.
“This document will undoubtedly mean more government investment in IT across the board, so that should be welcomed by resellers keen to know what this means for their dealings with the public sector,” he said.
By 2006 the Government will seek to unlock around £1.4bn from its current annual spend on legacy systems for new technology enabled reforms in public services.
Pete Mistry, technical sales consultant at The Eclipse Group, was unsure about the benefits of the reforms.
“The big channel players will probably see the initial benefits and there is still a potential for smaller VARs to lose out. Government IT streamlining needs to look at the benefits and service quality associated with small VARs,” he said.