As the public sector continues its digital transformation, Nerdio is leveraging its expertise to simplify the transition to the cloud.
With a strong focus on the Microsoft ecosystem, Nerdio is helping dozens of organisations across the UK’s public sector embrace cloud-based desktops and modern workplace solutions. “We’re really here to empower Microsoft Cloud desktops across the public sector,” explained Nerdio’s public sector lead, Liam Birch.
Nerdio counts healthcare, local authorities, central government and emergency services as customers. Within healthcare, Nerdio is working with both the NHS and private providers, helping them navigate the complexities of cloud-based infrastructure.
The story is similar in local government, where Nerdio is collaborating with councils and housing associations. “You’ve got all the local councils that we will be working across, but also housing associations,” said Birch. “We sit those two quite close together.”
Providing cost visibility and optimisation
The driving force behind Nerdio’s public sector activities is the continued migration to cloud-based solutions. Last year the firm announced it was looking beyond its core Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) business to offer services around other parts of the Microsoft portfolio.
“We’re not just thinking about, traditionally, what has been as your virtual desktop,” said Birch. “We’re now evolving into the other areas within that Microsoft ecosystem, looking at things like Microsoft 365 and Intune as well.
“The whole idea is to empower that workspace strategy right across all of those Microsoft technologies, empower the user and make sure they get the most from their investment.”
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However, the journey to the cloud is not without its challenges. Birch highlights the issue of consolidation and integration within the public sector, as organisations merge or outsource services.
“We are seeing potential mergers between different organisations. So obviously that brings in a number of different challenges, because you’ve got a set of people over here that have worked in a certain way, and you’ve got set people over here that works in a certain way. We’re now trying to onboard them and bring them together as one organisation.”
These challenges extend beyond just mergers, as Birch notes the formation of integrated care systems (ICS), where local authorities and NHS organisations are being “driven in that strategic direction” to work more closely together.
“There is some more of that consolidation and standardisation at a regional level that they need to think about,” he said.
Despite these obstacles, Nerdio sees significant opportunities in the public sector. The company’s ability to provide cost visibility and optimisation is particularly valuable in an era of tight budgets. “Being able to help with visibility of those costs…a key part of what we do is being able to help optimize those costs, but also give visibility of them,” said Birch.
Looking ahead, Nerdio is focused on continued growth in the public sector, leveraging its close partnership with Microsoft to enhance its offerings.
“We work very closely with Microsoft. We work very closely with our engineering teams. So the whole suite to make sure that we are doing all we can to help empower these organisations,” he said.
