Fujitsu Services, a leading European IT services provider, has reached a deal with the UK Cabinet Office to supply a shared service, public sector IT framework to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
The system, called Public sector Flex, was set up in May 2007 and allows the Cabinet Office and Fujitsu Services to provide information and communication technology as a shared service across the public sector.
Fujitsu Services will initially provide a single managed service to fulfil the newly merged department’s immediate need for IT services. In early 2008, Fujitsu will oversee the transition of the single managed service to a shared service under public sector Flex.
Fujitsu will provide 1,000 DIUS users across London, Sheffield, Darlington and Runcorn with access to the appropriate business applications as well as providing a standardised IT service that incorporates a service desk, mobile working and business continuity service.
Ian Watmore, Permanent Secretary of DIUS, commented, “Following the recent formation of DIUS, a key priority for the new organisation has been to select an IT service that would not only provide an existing, class-leading standardised IT facility but one that would also provide a low risk transition to a shared service approach in order to make considerable cost savings and free up resources for frontline services.”
Karen Delafield, Chief Technology Officer of DIUS, said, “Flex…..offers us great value for money, utilising a well proven infrastructure and the opportunity to contribute to a shared services solution that will offer benefits and economies of scale across Government.”
Eithne Wallis, Managing Director of Government at Fujitsu Services said they were expecting more government departments to sign up to public sector Flex; “We are currently in discussions with over fifteen public sector organisations who are interested in reducing costs and improving the effectiveness and functionality of their IT infrastructures.”
Peter Court, Chief Information Officer within the Cabinet Office, said that interest in joining Flex from other public sector bodies is continuing to grow which brings with it significant benefits for Government, the taxpayer and the environment.
Public sector Flex offers Government bodies ease of procurement, guaranteed quality of service, significant cost reductions, environmental economies and enhanced functionality through common infrastructure and reuse of systems. The Cabinet Office, which has taken up the service itself, also acts as a purchasing authority for other public sector organisations.