19 January 2016
Updata Infrastructure has been awarded a four year, £20m framework agreement by Norfolk County Council (NCC) to enhance network services across the region including in council buildings, schools and libraries.
As a result, it’s claimed the council will benefit from a “more robust and cost effective” ICT infrastructure, improving operational and service performance.
Updata is part of Capita IT Enterprise Services. The first contract under the framework is worth £10m and will see Updata install and manage WAN, LAN, unified communications and mobile communications across the NCC.
An upgraded multi-channel contact centre, built on a new ‘utility as a service’ model, will also be created to support citizen engagement.
Updata says staff using mobiles will benefit from its new partnership with the Anywhere SIM network, enabling them to switch between three major networks and use the strongest possible signal.
The framework will also deliver an improved infrastructure to support education in the county, with schools that sign contracts benefiting from a fast, reliable broadband connection.
In addition, Updata says an enhanced internet filtering service can provide schools a more granular level of control.
Other Norfolk councils and health bodies are also expected to use the framework, which is also available to authorities in neighbouring counties.
Updata is part of Capita IT Enterprise Services, will offer at least ten apprenticeships during the course of the contract, plus two undergraduate work placements each year.
NCC head of procurement Al Collier says” “This contract will reduce costs and enhance IT services for public sector staff and for schools, allowing them to work flexibly and deliver the best possible service to people in Norfolk.”