Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has launched its Network Services 2 agreement designed to help public sector bodies get the best deal on their telecommunications.
The new agreement provides access to mobile, voice, video and data services, including security and surveillance. It was designed with help from suppliers and customers across the UK, as well as through workshops hosted in partnership with trade body Innopsis and techUK.
The following services are available under 10 lots: data access services; local connectivity services; traditional telephony services; inbound telephony services; mobile voice and data services; paging and alerting services; video conferencing services; audio conferencing services; radio services; security and surveillance services
Network Services 2 is well-suited to the emergency services environment. It allows you to buy services, such as hardware, maintenance and consultancy, without needing to pay for the connection.
The maximum term length for some lots, such as data access where installation and migration can be costly and time consuming, has been extended to 10 years. This means greater stability for emergency service work.
There is a new radio lot for users needing private channels. A lot for security and surveillance is available to provide CCTV and premises monitoring services, traditional and IP-based, as well as image recording and archiving. There’s also an expanded paging lot which now includes alerting services.
Through the agreement, telecommunications and network services can be sourced for the whole of the UK public sector and their associated bodies and agencies, the voluntary sector and charities.
Customers using the previous Network Services agreement achieved average savings of 8%, and can expect this figure to be the same or even higher under the new agreement.
Network Services 2 provides all this through our new ‘plain english’ public sector contract.
Ieuan Trigger, CCS’s Deputy Director for Technology, said, “Network Services 2 has the capacity to help change the way government bodies and the wider public sector communicate with – and for – the public they serve.
“By working with customers, suppliers and industry bodies throughout its design and construction we have arrived at an innovative solution which will drive successful transformation across government.”
If you want to find out more about Network Services 2, visit the CCS website or get in touch.
You can also visit CCS on Stand T29 at The Emergency Services Show, which takes place from 18-19 September at the NEC in Birmingham.
