You are here: silicon.com > Public Sector > News

Public sector secures £1m per year software discount

Buying clout cuts Microsoft licence bill down to size...

Tags: ogcbuying.solutions, licences, ogc

By Matthew Broersma

Published: 15 September 2006 09:15 GMT

The UK government will get a discount of more than £1m per year from Microsoft, under a deal reached between the software company and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC).

The OGC announced on Thursday the government will see the savings as a direct result of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that allows government to pool buying power across the public sector.

As specified in the terms of the MoU, the government has received a discount because the total number of Microsoft licences issued across the public sector now exceeds 1.5 million, the OGC said. The discounts apply to desktop software under Enterprise and Select Agreement licences, and include discounts on support.

Hugh Barrett, chief executive of OGCbuying.solutions, the OGC's trading arm, said in a statement: "One-and-a-half million public sector users have joined together under OGC's leadership to make the most of their combined purchasing power. The new discount available on Enterprise Agreements can now be enjoyed by all public sector bodies and the savings can be reinvested into front-line public services."

OGCbuying.solutions also manages MoUs with IBM, Oracle and Sun, on behalf of the OGC. The agreements contributed to £412m in cost-cutting delivered by the organisation last year, the OGC said.

Matthew Broersma writes for ZDNet UK

  1. Zones
  2. Management
  3. Networks
  4. Software
  5. IT Services
  6. Hardware
  1. Verticals
  2. Public Sector
  3. Financial Services
  4. Retail & Leisure

silicon.com Public Sector
Get the latest public sector news straight to your inbox. Sign up for the PS newsletter today!


  • Jobs
Savings Strategy Manager - North East - 80k

The successful applicant will have extensive Savings experience where you will have a proven track record in developing short, medium and long term ...

Procurement Manager

Review and agree Vendor Contracts, Agreements, Licences, Distribution Agreements, Service Level Agreements and Statements of Work. Procurement ...

SAP Senior Analyst - CASH COLLECTION

Job Functions: Designing of accounts receivable including translating business requirements into lasting functional designs, for assigned areas ...

Nick Heath
Let's shine a light into the public sector IT money pit
With £16bn being spent, why is productivity still falling?

Tim Ferguson
BBC is taking tech seriously, so give it a break!
Auntie is the envy of the world but doesn't get the credit it deserves at home...

Peter Cochrane
Peter Cochrane's Blog: Open info for all?
Government stonewalling citizens

Nick Heath
Home Office CIO on taming tech and why ID cards are good news
Interview: Annette Vernon, Home Office CIO

Nick Heath
NHS records, Google and Microsoft: Where do you want your data?
Politicians: Heal thyself

Alan Hunt
NHS network: Time to get secure
Patient data in need of a check up

Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.




Quick Sitemap Links: