Is It Time For Some Real Answers To All Our G-Cloud Questions?

Is this the year change finally comes to central government ICT procurement? Can the Digital Marketplace really be for anything more than commodity purchases? Is the talk about change and cost reduction accurate - or political bluster?

If you’re looking for food for thought – or even better, some real answers – to help you with these questions, you should be planning to head on over to Think Cloud for Government 2015, which is this year being held in London’s Design Centre in Islington on Tuesday, February 10th.

As the name suggests, the event is an attempt to pull together for the public sector ICT stakeholder all they need to know about the use of Cloud in government.

That’s going to be done by a combination of speaking and networking opportunities from government officials, IT and procurement professionals, academics, independent analysts and leading cloud vendors.

The latter group includes, at the highest, Platinum level, IBM, Vodafone, Huddle and cloudBUY, while Gold level partners currently include Mastek, Adapt, Memset Hosting, Red Hat and Verizon.

The Gold suppliers also plan to offer a series of lunch-time breakou sessions which will allow you to explore their propositions in a bit more depth, say the organisers.

Annual G-Cloud update

24n is a media partner of Think Cloud for Government, as we think the programme offers genuine value to the community.

For example, the day starts (from 9.15, though you can register and start networking from 8.30) with a view from well-known cloud commentator, journalist Stuart Lauchlan, who is acting as chair of the day’s activities: Lauchlan plans to do some useful scene setting, opening up the question of how the G-Cloud sits within the wider context of digital delivery of UK public services.

We’ll then get what may well be the main reason to attend for many of us; a full update on the progress of the G-Cloud, which will include details on plans for the next iteration of the framework, from the Director, G-Cloud and Digital Commercial Programme - Government Digital Service Tony Singleton.

Other public sector leaders apart from Tony we can expect to get insight from include SME Crown Representative - Cabinet Office Stephen Allott, Head of Security - G-Cloud and Digital Commercial Programme - Government Digital Service Tony Richards among others so far confirmed.

What can we expect post May?

But fear not, central government isn’t hogging all the limelight here! We have a fascinating sounding session, for instance, with representatives of the IT and procurement teams of two big local government authorities, while we can also expect an insight into Cloud at the pan-European level from Head of Unit E2 - Software & Services, Cloud Computing - European Commission Pearse O’Donohue. These guys will be joined on stage at various times by a range of senior industry figures from leading suppliers as well as independent market-watchers from respected tech analyst firm 451 Research.

The day closes with something of a clever departure from the norm at industry events (you may or may not agree with this claim, by the way): some naked politics! That’s in the form of naked politics! Well, given that the Election will only be three months post the conference, can you blame us for a desire to peek into a possible future… with representatives of the Conservative Party and the current Opposition, Labour, set to clash antlers on their plans for future government cloud work – with the latter being a particularly heavy hitter, Shadow Cabinet Chi Onwurah. 

24n only partners with quality events - which is why we recommend that you check out this event, which has been put together with a real eye to providing value.

Whether or not you really will get the answers... you'll have to see on the day!

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