Softcat achieves NEPA approved supplier status

Marlow, UK, 11 November 2011 – Softcat has been awarded ‘approved supplier’ status on the National Educational Printer Agreement (NEPA) framework. Softcat partnered with Brother, for whom it is a preferred reseller, to tender for inclusion. The IT provider’s first national framework agreement with all Consortia-affiliated universities and colleges of higher and further education, together with research councils, in all six of the regional consortia and London NHS Procurement Programme, which begins in October, marks another step in fulfilling its commitment to expand and grow its service offering into the public sector this year.

The framework is for a period of two to four years (2+1+1). The two organisations will supply printer devices, related accessories and managed print solutions to consortia members.

NEPA is available to service the print requirements of the UK’s higher and further education purchasing consortia, including:

• the coordinating authority North East Universities Purchasing Consortium,
• North West Universities Purchasing Consortium,
• Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium,
• Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges, Scotland
• Higher Education Purchasing Consortium Wales,
• London Universities Purchasing Consortium),
• their member organisations including associate or affiliate members, and
• London NHS Procurement Programme.

Andy Bruen, Softcat’s public sector frameworks manager, stated, “We’re proud to be working with Brother, one of the world’s leading print manufacturers, on the prestigious NEPA agreement, which allows us to deliver real value into our university customers.”

Michelle Molloy, senior business manager from Brother, said: “We’re confident that Softcat will help us to deliver real cost efficiencies to higher and further education establishments when it comes to IT procurement by supplying our effective, reliable printing solutions which include a wealth of additional support, such as a free UK-based call centre, for higher and further education organisations.”

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About Softcat
Softcat is a leading provider of software licensing, hardware, security and related IT services. Softcat, founded in 1993 by chairman and majority shareholder Peter Kelly, remains privately owned and currently employs more than 400 people. It achieved a turnover in excess of £200 million in its last financial year and has been profitable since inception, resulting in a strong balance sheet and very firm financial foundations.

The company sells and supports products and solutions from all the world's leading IT companies. On all its portfolio products and solutions it offers a full range of services, including advice and guidance, technical design, product sourcing, implementation, support and project management. It enjoys a trading relationship with over 1,500 longstanding customers, predominantly from the UK corporate sector but also including large enterprises, small businesses and public sector organisations.

As an organisation Softcat cares passionately about two things – outstanding employee satisfaction and world class customer service. It believes the former drives the latter.

Softcat is one of Microsoft’s fastest-growing public sector LARs. Other accolades that Softcat has won in the last year include CRN Reseller of the Year at the Channel Awards, Dell UK and EMEA Partner of the Year, and Symantec Commercial Partner of the Year.

To support its commitment to growth, Softcat is actively looking for account managers with experience within the public sector, and advises interested candidates to contact its recruitment manager Shelley Ferrigno on 01628 403 476. Softcat was named The Sunday Times’ Best Small Company to Work For in 2010. As well as giving its staff opportunities to progress in their careers, the company offers student loan contributions, healthcare and dental plans, a company contributory pension, half-day holidays on employees’ birthdays, lunch at exclusive restaurants, and team-building activities.

About Brother
Brother is a world-wide electronics and manufacturing company, with sales in over 100 countries.
The company offers a flexible range of products, including label, inkjet, laser, all-in-one, wireless and mobile printers, as well as printing accessories and consumables.

The UK subsidiary is based on the outskirts of Manchester, and provides sales, marketing, technical support, warehousing and distribution, and a customer call centre for all its UK customers.

Brother was recently presented with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development, which recognises businesses across the UK making a major contribution to the environment, society and wider economy through the products and services they sell as well as their commitment to corporate social responsibility. The company has also achieved a 100/100 score for the past five years by The Ethical Company Organisation, publishers of The Good Shopping Guide for its environmental credentials.

For more information please contact:
Robert Hayward
Resonates SLM Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 898 362
softcat@resonates.com
www.resonates.com

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