07.11.14
Government launches new Digital Marketplace for public sector
The government launched its new Digital Marketplace yesterday to help the public sector buy IT services from a wide range of suppliers through one digital storefront.
The launch concludes months of preparation at Government Digital Services (GDS), the division of the Cabinet Office tasked with managing the G-cloud framework and the Cloud Store.
The Marketplace provides a new single place for the public sector to access and buy IT commodities and services – such as site analytics and hosting services – from G-Cloud. It has replaced the current Cloud Store and will be the single store for buyers for the second iteration for the Digital Services framework when it launches in the new year.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said: “We know that the range of frameworks and stores can be confusing. That’s why the new Digital Marketplace, which makes it clearer, simpler and faster for the whole of the public sector to buy digital products and services when it needs to, is a vast improvement for both supplier and customer.
“This will ultimately lead to the delivery of better services for the public, and means that we can continue to work with a range of quality suppliers of all sizes.”
Executive Director of GDS Mike Bracken said: “We are developing a whole new of way of buying digital. Modern services need to be continually iterated and improved to meet users’ needs. And we need a platform that allows us to flexibly commission what we need to deliver those services, drive down cost and drive up value.
“The Digital Marketplace demonstrates that we can build a service that meets these needs and allows government to work with a wide range of innovative suppliers of all sizes.”
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