Softcat to supply software to another 200+ public sector organisations

Marlow, UK, 16 April 2012 – The Pro5 public sector buying consortium has selected Softcat, alongside just eight other suppliers, to provide software and associated services to over 200 local authorities and other affiliated public sector organisations in the UK.

Potentially worth between £50-£80m, the new framework contract will help local government and funded organisations across the UK to attain the best value for their software requirements over the next four years.

Successful in tendering for three lots, Softcat will supply Microsoft software, security software, and commercial off-the-shelf software to organisations ranging from local authority councils; educational establishments; and registered charities; to social landlords; central government departments and their agencies; police, fire and rescue, and coastguard emergency services; and NHS and HSC bodies, including ambulance services.

Andy Bruen, Softcat’s public sector frameworks manager, said, “The Pro5 contract offers Softcat a significant opportunity to forge closer links with our local government customers and associated bodies. We can provide expert advice to organisations sourcing specialist software – our customers see that as one of our key strengths and differentiators. We look forward to engaging with Pro5 members and providing real value for their software needs from day one.”

Jamie Burke, Softcat’s public sector sales director, added, “As a newly appointed Pro5 supplier, Softcat is genuinely excited by the opportunity to add significant value and innovation to how Pro5 clients have historically purchased software. Softcat enjoys a reputation for high levels of customer satisfaction, and by combining this with expert technology advice and cost-effective procurement we are confident we can help maximise limited budgets.”

Softcat is one of Microsoft’s fastest-growing public sector large account resellers. Already in 2012, it has been awarded Mimecast Partner of the Year (for the fourth year in a row), Symantec Commercial Partner of the Year, Websense EMEA Triton Partner of the Year, and Sophos Mid-Market Reseller of the Year. In 2011, the IT provider won Security Reseller of the Year at the MicroScope Aces Awards, and became the first reseller to retain ‘Reseller of the Year’ at the CRN Channel Awards.

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About Pro5

Pro5 (http://www.pro5.org/) comprises five of the largest public sector professional buying organisations in the UK with a combined purchasing power in excess of £2 billion a year. Working together, the Pro5 group uses its extensive buying power to help local authorities across the UK to get the best value solutions in key markets on commonly purchased goods and services, deliver savings which contribute to local efficiency targets, save time, effort and costs by accessing pre-negotiated compliant procurement arrangements.

The Pro5 Group consists of:

• Central Buying Consortium (CBC),
• Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO),
• North Eastern Purchasing Organisation (NEPO),
• West Mercia Supplies (WMS), and
• Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO).

About the Pro5 lots

Softcat was successful in tendering for the following lots:

• Lot 1 Microsoft Software: Relates predominately to products supplied, licensed and distributed by Microsoft or Microsoft resellers.
• Lot 2 Security Software: Relates to the supply of security software, services and where appropriate, associated appliances which includes, but is not limited to software/hardware protection, data encryption, monitoring and intrusion protection and reporting, firewall and email filtering and vulnerability scanning.

• Lot 3 Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS): Software acquired by government contract through a commercial supplier. This software is a standard product, not developed by a supplier for a particular application.

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

About Softcat

Softcat (www.softcat.com) 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.

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