Agilisys scoops £47m council deal

Services provider beats off three other bidders to land seven-year deal to help save four authorities about £11m

Four northern local authorities have collectively dished out a £47m contract to London-based services provider Agilisys.

Agilisys will supply the authorities with a range of services for printing and mobile phones as well as IT consulting services, software development and internet support, over a seven-year period.

The contract is expected to save Bolton and Wigan councils, Wigan and Leigh Housing Company and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust about £11m over the duration of the contract, as well as improve service delivery for locals.

Agilisys beat off three other bids for the business, which is also expected to see the authorities develop a new datacentre facility which they claim with give them more flexibility and further cost savings.

Last year, Agilisys won a £40m services contract with Bristol Council, and extended its agreement with Cumbria Council on a short-term basis after the authority's planned deal with Computacenter fell through.

The firm's chief executive Steven Beard claimed its most recent contract will help bolster its northern presence.

"We are delighted to extend our already strong presence in the North West, providing a strong base for additional growth that will continue to enhance the value we deliver to our customers across the region," he said.

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, added that he was looking forward to working with the firm.

"We were looking for a supplier who would be able to transform services through new technologies and respond quickly to changes in customer requirements," he said.

"Agilisys was best placed to do this and we are confident that it will work with us to provide value-for-money services for the residents of Bolton and Wigan."