Microsoft and Crown Commercial Service (CCS) have inked a five-year agreement to providing discounted access to Microsoft’s portfolio of cloud software and services.
The agreement, which will be effective from November 1, will offer public sector organisations cost savings on Microsoft 365, the Azure cloud platform, Business Applications, and for the first time, Microsoft’s generative AI (gen AI) offering, 365 Copilot.
Growth opportunity
The UK Government said it aims to increase the speed of innovation across the UK public sector, enhance efficiency, improve cross-departmental collaboration, and deliver improved services for UK citizens.
Recent research from Public First and Microsoft has found that accelerating the adoption of digital technologies could add £550 billion to the UK’s GDP by 2035.
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“AI technologies present a unique opportunity to transform public services and fuel the UK’s economic growth,” said Clare Barclay, CEO, Microsoft UK.
“This exciting new five-year partnership will mean Microsoft can continue to support the UK Government to create a world-class, digital-first public sector infrastructure, that will improve service delivery for citizens across the whole of the UK and create opportunities for all.”
Plugging the skills gap
The UK Government wants to create a workforce equipped with AI skills. Microsoft is developing new certifications and skilling programmes for public sector employees, as well as investing in its Enterprise Skills Initiative. In addition, Microsoft said it aims to make available events, workshops, self-paced learning and certifications for users across government, driving the adoption of new digital skills and capabilities.
Roger Gonourie, chief commercial officer at CCS said: “This agreement will support eligible public sector organisations to pursue their digital transformation and innovation ambitions, by enabling them to benefit from leveraging the size and scale of the UK public sector. It shows CCS’s continued commitment to providing maximum commercial value for our customers, removing barriers to growth across the public sector. It’s about securing a better future for us all.”
