UK government turns to Microsoft for digital transformation assistance

The UK government has agreed a new deal with Microsoft, giving public sector organizations discounted access to its cloud productivity tools and services.

In a blog post, Microsoft explained the Crown Commercial Service, the UK’s largest public procurement body, has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), running from May 1 until April 2024.

Signing the MoU, called the Digital Transformation Arrangement 2021 (DTA21), all eligible public sector organizations will get discounts and other beneficial terms for Microsoft 365 and Azure, as well as associated Support and Consulting services, Microsoft explained.

Furthermore, by signing the DTA21, the UK government will also get acces to Dynamics 365 and Power Platform cloud services.

Here are all the products covered by the DTA21: Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 E5 Security and Compliance, Phone System Calling Plans, Dynamics 365, PowerApps, Azure Cognitive Services and AI, Azure Analytics, Azure Synapse and Azure Arc. 

Microsoft also said the MoU allows the UK government to maintain on-premise server licensing discounts.

As for the Premier and Unified Support services, these also include Solution Assessments and training courses (Technical Skills for Business, for example).

“Microsoft is committed to working with the Government to help support modern hybrid working and help drive the move to digital with Microsoft 365 and Azure,” said Chris Perkins, General Manager of Public Sector Sales at Microsoft UK. 

“The addition of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform to the DTA21 line-up can now also help with agile, low-cost, low-code application development, which has been so critical in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to continuing to work with our public sector customers to improve citizen services and provide cost-effective solutions now and in the future.”

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