Life In The Digital Marketplace, 1: Software Europe, Lincoln

In the first of our new format about established players on the Digital Marketplace, we meet Deborah Saunby, Director of cloud specialist Software Europe

Tell us about your company and value proposition, please Deborah?

Software Europe transforms business through cloud technology. Our solutions help companies develop more efficient processes and workflows across human resources and finance, through to procurement and legal. Our cloud technology enables organisations, both in the public and private sectors, to more effectively manage people, expenses, and contracts.

We’ve got almost 200 separate NHS customers using our cloud technology such as 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and County Durham PCT, as well as numerous local councils, universities and other commercial organisations. We have other successful engagements at Southampton FC, the University of Exeter, Hermes, Fitness First, and Northumberland County Council, to name a few.

OK great, thanks. So why did you enter onto G-Cloud/The Digital Marketplace? What did you expect to get out of it? Did you?

We were in, but came out - but have returned for G-Cloud 7. We’re hoping that our return to the framework will lead to greater awareness of Software Europe and increase opportunities to save the public sector money through our proven cloud technologies.

How did you find the process of applying?

The process for joining the G-Cloud framework has been simplified since our previous successful submission in 2011. The online multiple choice questions made for a speedier completion, although there was still a couple of security questions that didn’t seem to fit with the type of service we were applying for and were too ‘black or white’.

So, yes, the process of joining the new framework was simpler than past experiences, but I still wouldn’t call it easy. To consolidate high level marketing messages, standardise pricing plans and options, as well as centralise and correlate security information was time consuming. However, it was very worthwhile.

So how have things been working out for you on the Marketplace?

While it’s only been a week since the newest iteration of G-Cloud went live, we’ve already been contacted by a large government organisation to request a meeting and demonstration of our products and services. So, within a week of going live it’s a great sign of things to come, I’m sure. We’ll also be doing our own marketing to help communicate our involvement in G-Cloud with our procurement, in part to help raise awareness of the Marketplace to those in both local and central government.

Based on your experience, do you have any top tips for other (smaller) suppliers on how to make the most of the G-Cloud opportunity?

My advice would be to not to take it for granted that the people you’re working with, such as procurement professionals, are going to be aware of G-Cloud. I’d advise incorporating your inclusion to G-Cloud 7 into your marketing collateral so you, and they, can benefit from the shortened sales and procurement cycles.

Any other thoughts to close for today about what you see as the future for cloud as a delivery mechanism for UK public services?

In the past, despite Software Europe having nearly 200 cloud technology deployments, which, I believe, is the largest number of cloud deployments in the NHS, we still found resistance and red tape from local government and education sectors for the adoption of cloud technology.

Now however, the government, in particular Stephen Allot, has given us reassurance and support that cloud technologies and SMEs can work hand-in-hand to transform and deliver massive savings to the whole of the public sector.

Thanks, Deborah - and good luck on the Digital Marketplace.

To find out more about this G-Cloud-7 supplier, go here

We are looking for other companies doing well on the Digital Marketplace and would love to feature your experiences in this new on-going editorial series. Please get in touch with us here to kick start process: gary.flood@24n.biz

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