Crown Commercial Service announces a new Memorandum of Understanding with Cisco, offering a discounted baseline on products

This gives public sector organisations access to an extensive portfolio of IT solutions.

The new MoU will give access to solutions that help to improve security, enable faster digital acceleration and deliver more value for money to the public sector.

It covers all areas of Cisco’s portfolio including cyber security, digital transformation, critical infrastructure and hybrid working enablement with, software solutions and collaboration tools, including Webex solutions, which provides a high quality video and calling experience.

Every eligible public sector organisation can benefit from the value for money this MoU represents. This ranges from central government to the wider public sector, for example Local Authorities (LAs) and Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs).

Along with offering competitive rates and discounts, the new MoU will make it easier for public sector organisations to buy, consume and manage technology purchases relating to security services. For example, customers will have access to a suite of security solutions including Cisco Talos – a commercial threat intelligence network and Secure Firewall – which helps organisations close gaps in their security architecture and recover from breaches. A limited number of free cyber assessments will be made available through the MoU to enable them to explore the benefits of Cisco technology in critical areas of their infrastructure.

Simplifying the technology buying experience

In working together with Cisco CCS recognises the value in identifying commonly bought Cisco technology across the public sector and forming bundles which will simplify the purchasing process, drive additional commercial benefits for all parties and start to move towards greater standardisation.

Additionally, CCS customers can benefit from Cisco’s digital skills acceleration programme, helping to stimulate skills within government. The comprehensive training programme aligns with the work of the new Digital Skills Council and Government Skills Campus. 

Philip Orumwense CBE, Commercial Director and Chief Technology Procurement Officer at CCS explains: 

The new MoU with Cisco will give the government and the wider public sector access tocompetitive rates and discounts, allowing them to maximise commercial benefits whilst enabling our cyber security capabilities. Moreover, Cisco’s digital skills acceleration
programme will help improve public service capability and expertise. MoU’s allow all public sector customers to be treated as one customer and to benefit from discounts based on aggregated spend.

For example: an NHS Trust or local authority can now access discounts previously reserved for large government departments.” MoUs are a preferential pricing agreement negotiated by CCS on behalf of the public sector and are available to all eligible public sector customers through any route to market used for technology procurement. They are carefully designed to compliment Public Sector frameworks and critically don’t replace any terms or conditions in place.

Customers can access the Cisco discounted pricing by going through Cisco registered resellers on Technology Products and Associated Services framework or from Network Services 3.

Let us bring power to your procurement

Discover how your organisation can benefit from this new MoU. Register for our customer webinar on Thursday 2 November.

You can also speak to one of our technology experts to find out how we can support your specific requirements. Please complete our online form quoting ‘Cisco MoU’ and we will be in touch.