Only a month after 'go-live' on the government's innovative catalist framework, technology services provider, Probrand, has chalked up multiple new accounts from police forces to Local Authorities and educational establishments.

The company is seeing public sector organisations turn on to the bottom line savings of procuring best value IT using The IT Index - a best practice approach accredited by Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW).

"At last, we are able get to the best priced products through an easy to use on-line ordering process. The IT Index has been the private sector's best kept public sector procurement secret. The solution offers 'joined up' management of mainline UK suppliers in one secure on-line environment.

"Uniquely, we are seeing the added value of genuine customer service. If we want guidance on product specification we know it is only a call away," said Anthony Humphries of Neath Port Talbot College.

The news falls on the back of the OGCbuying.solutions' landmark move to appoint the company as the first SME reseller to provide ICT goods and services (Lot1) through catalist. This is said to be the largest contract of its type ever awarded.

The IT Index is giving public sector bodies (PSBs) access to over 100,000 daily updated products from 1200 suppliers listed by best price and availability.

The solution eliminates the need for buyers to conduct time consuming supplier ring rounds and manual price comparisons, empowering them with a joined up approach to managing multiple supplier relationships within a single Private Procurement Hub. This ultimately stretches the reach of organisational IT budgets.

Probrand's group head of new business development, Steve Bushell, said: "Importantly through catalist, The IT Index negates the need for PSBs to undertake time consuming, costly EU tenders. It's a win-win for the public sector. Best practice, best value IT in the shortest possible time.

Other Channel News

Channel Talk

Varlink adds Unitech products to its line up Varlink has become a UK Distributor for Unitech handheld portable terminals, industrial PDAs and RFID readers. Survey indicates growing demand for touch screen computers Almost a third of laptop users and more than a quarter of desktop PC owners are keen to have a touch screen on their next computer. Xerox acquires Irish Business Systems Xerox has acquired Irish Business Systems (IBS) for approximately $31 million (€21m), expanding Xerox’s reach right across Ireland. Westcoast enhances staff development with NVQs The company has always encouraged employees to develop within their roles and within Westcoast, but until recently had no formal way to recognise this. Buffalo Technology signs Ingram Micro as Pan-European distributor Buffalo Technology, designer, developer and manufacturer of storage, wireless networking and memory solutions, is extending its relationship with Ingram Micro across Europe. Tech2Clear has arrived TCS have launched Tech2Clear, a radical new approach to the perennial problem of finding buyers for excess, obsolete & out-dated stock held by vendors, distributors and resellers. More >>

“Has the BIG FREEZE cost your business BIG BUCKS?” The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has estimated that the recent bad weather, widespread commuter disruption and school closures, has cost the UK business economy at least £600 million a day and that a business continuity plan could be your answer to such severe weather disruption. SEO made simple with social networking Driving traffic to your website through social networking can bring huge financial benefits according to Manchester's online experts at a recent round table discussion. Complacent employees admit to sending sensitive information using vulnerable methods Survey findings highlight companies may be at risk of data theft despite 46 per cent of employees admitting they worry about information getting into the wrong hands ScanSource Europe Partner Tour attracts over 1000 attendees After a string of successful events across Europe, ScanSource Europe has revealed that more than 1000 people attended the Partner Tour in 2009. More >>