Eight VARs win big on CPC schools software scheme

Softcat, SBL, Viglen, Phoenix Software, Insight, Academia, Civica and Pugh Computers rock up on pan-UK education framework

A handful of resellers have won a place on a UK-wide licensing framework designed to bring a range of Microsoft and Adobe software to schools and academies.

Education buying group Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) awarded Softcat, Software Box Limited (SBL), Viglen, Phoenix Software, Insight, Academia, Civica and Pugh Computers places on its framework to supply software to its member academies and schools, of which there are about 3,000.

The framework's value is as yet unknown, but Academia's public sector director, Mark McCormack, said he expects it to be "significant".

The scheme was split into four lots: the first two for Microsoft and Adobe software and the remaining for "off-the-shelf" licences and "one-stop shop" kit.

In a recently published contract-award notice, the CPC said the deal will see its members get good value on its licensing purchases.

"The main objective of the agreement is to provide best value through an EU-compliant framework that is easily accessible for CPC members," it said.

Ten bids were made to join the framework, suggesting two firms missed out on a place.

The CPC said its decision to award the eight successful VARs a place was based mainly on price, with customer requirements and additional value they can bring to the table also being taken into account.

Academia's McCormack said the CPC deal will play a big role in his firm's growth.

"The Academia Group is growing year on year and software continues to play an integral part of our services and solutions to the education and wider public sector market," he said.

"We have some aggressive growth targets and this contract will certainly support our growth along with establishing new relationships with CPC members."

Insight's head of public sector, Jon Lang, said the CPC deal is a landmark for his firm.

"The CPC framework win is the 10th this year for Insight, increasing our total number of contracts and frameworks to over 25," he said.

"This underlines our ongoing commitment to the education sector [and] fits into our wider strategy of ensuring Insight is present on all key public-sector frameworks."

Viglen was equally pleased to have won a place on the CPC scheme. Its chief executive, Bordan Tkachuk, said it was an "important framework" and added:

"We have built a strong and loyal customer base through the CPC members and believe in winning this we will continue to build further success upon this."

Softcat said it was well-placed to help CPC members get a good deal on licences.

"We're delighted to have won these lots on the new CPC framework, as this will help us provide hundreds of schools and academies with cost-effective access to our software licensing services through a trusted purchasing route," said the reseller's head of education, Nick Berry.