Channel dozen lands on £50m-plus software framework
SBL and Phoenix make all four lots, with Insight and Softcat featuring on three
Software Box Limited (SBL) and Phoenix Software were the big winners as a dozen channel firms made the cut on a software framework worth £50m-plus.
Suppliers have now been confirmed on four lots covering Microsoft, security, commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) and education. The framework, which runs for three years with a one-year extension option, was issued by the Pro5 group of buying consortia.
A total of 12 channel players feature on the framework, with SBL and Phoenix the only outfits to bag a place on all four lots. Softcat, Bytes and Insight placed on three lots. A full rundown of which firms made the cut on which lots is included below.
The contract award notice reveals that the highest and lowest offers for the framework stand at £50m and £80m excluding VAT, respectively. Pro5 consists of five public sector buying organisations: the Central Buying Consortium; the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation; the North Eastern Purchasing Organisation; West Mercia Supplies; and the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation.
Accoding to Softcat, featuring on the framework will see it delivering software to organisations such as local councils, the NHS, charities, education establishments, social housing bodies, central government departments and the emergency services.
Andy Bruen, public sector frameworks manager at the Marlow-based VAR, said: "The Pro5 contract offers Softcat a significant opportunity to forge closer links with our local government customers and associated bodies. We can provide expert advice to organisations sourcing specialist software – our customers see that as one of our key strengths and differentiators."
Lot 1 – Microsoft
Insight
Softcat
SBL
Phoenix
Civica
Bytes
Lot 2 – Security
Bytes
Phoenix
SBL
Softcat
Caretower
Insight
Academia
Lot 3 – COTS
Phoenix
Insight
Softcat
Bytes
SBL
SCC
Lot 4 – Education
SBL
Viglen
Phoenix
Academia
2Simple Software
Whizz Education