Drive digital transformation in the UK public sector through ISV partnership
Between Brexit and the general election, the UK public sector is uncertain about its future. Yet, in this uncertain time there is one constant, digital transformation.
Since the success of the 2012 digital initiative, the government has revived its strategy for 2017-2020. If put into practice, the UK can use technology to thrive in uncertainty, empowering government, citizens and employees nationwide. Key areas in the report are:
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- Improving agility in the face of uncertainty. Since the Brexit vote, the public sector needs technology to optimise operations. They must move away from legacy infrastructures and processes holding organisations back.
- Move to the cloud. Whether it's public, private or hybrid, the government is Cloud First. The cloud has many mobility and flexible subscription services that interest them.
- Meeting public demands. The British public find the public sector's bureaucracy and slow services frustrating. To combat this, the Government want to give people 'joined up end-to-end services' through easy form-filling and efficient communication.
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The success (and survival) of UK public sector services 'relies on a successful transition to a cloud-enabled economy', says Cindy Rose Microsoft UK CEO.
The UK is 'looking at charting a new and different path to its future and Microsoft is committed to helping the UK realise its full potential.'
There's opportunity here for partners - especially those earning 50 % or more revenue from cloud - to help the public sector reach its goals and expand customer relationships. The best way to do this is through partnership with an Independent Software Vendor (ISV).
Public sector has big ambitions, but a long way to go
The government's ambition is to be at the forefront of the digital revolution. In a recent blog post, there's even been an expansion from 'Cloud First' to 'Cloud Native:
'Cloud Native is not just about considering cloud before other options' says the recent announcement. 'It's about adapting how we organise our work to really take advantage of what's on offer and what's emerging,'
However, on an organisational level, many are still struggling to get over the hump of transformation. For example, only 50 percent of public sector respondents in Microsoft's digital transformation study are experimenting with cloud services.
The need for the UK to accomplish digital leadership while playing catch up means addressing urgent issues, such as legacy IT holding the sector back. As a result, there's never been a better time for partners to expand offerings and help public sector with technology.
What government organisations need from partners
In these uncertain and high-pressure times, public sector relies on fast-time to value and trusted, secure IT services. They need partners to help them tackle current threats head-on and thrive in the future. Public sector organisations need help with:
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- Strategy guidance and consultation. Only 35% of public sector managers say they have a clear digital transformation strategy. They need help adopting best practices, a strong foundation and a plan for the future.
- Closing the digital skills gap. 96 percent of organisations are struggling to implement digital culture, according to Deloitte's study. They need help with digital skills. Partners can provide the right training and services to give public servants confidence with technology.
- Efficient data sharing. Bureaucracy leads to less productive employees. Organisations need open-source communications to break down 'department' and silo barriers to focus on improving end-user services.
To solve these problems, the GDS says 'we must deepen our conversations with vendors about standards to manage technology shifts' and 'ensure we always choose providers that fit our needs.'
This is a solid bit of advice for partners wanting to differentiate themselves in the digital marketplace. To deepen relationships with customers and win new ones, you need to verticalize and specialise. The best way to do this is through ISV partnership.
Winning lifetime customers: why ISV partnership is right for your business
ISVs tend to operate in verticals, and focus on real end-user pain points. They can create standardized software that is adaptable to the needs of individual organisations. This means fast, unique solutions to lots of customers at a low cost.
This helps create packed intellectual property (IP) which can drive margins bigger than 65% percent. Why? Because packaged IP creates brand stickiness with customers. They know they're in a safe pair of hands and software providers can build long-term, valuable relationships.
ISV partnership within the public sector means you can resell popular software focused on real business outcomes. If you're a managed service provider, you could bundle this with training and consultancy to give customers a total service, earn their trust and win recurring revenue. Here are a few examples of ISVs you could partner with:
AvePoint UK
AvePoint UK helps public sector organisations at various points on their cloud journey. From adoption and migrating workloads easily and quickly, to managing and protecting data in Office 365 they give the public sector the guidance they need.
Watch Sarju Raja at AvePoint talk about how they support public sector organisations throughout the digital transformation process.
FlowForma
Simplicity and ease-of-use is at the heart of FlowForma's product. Their business processes management (BPM) software helps organisations gain control and visibility of data. This allows organisations to streamline processes without the fuss.
Watch Robert McGarry, Chief Commercial Officer at FlowForma talk more about their product.
CloudHouse (Applications Anywhere)
Applications Anywhere is helping governments run old applications on new systems. This helps public sector overcome legacy barriers, meaning old apps no longer hold them back.
Watch Matt Clothier, founder of CloudHouse Ltd., talk more about helping government keep up with digital transformation.
ISV partnerships: keep up with the changes and thrive in uncertainty
The UK public sector is facing the most uncertain time in recent history. Organisations know they must adapt, which is why digital transformation is vital to them.
Partners should help public sector organisations get ahead of the curve with innovative, original solutions. Think outside the box, drive digital transformation through ISV partnership. After all, two heads are better than one.