TechUK calls for more help for SMEs using G-Cloud
Government 'on right track' to meet targets, but more needs to be done, says TechUK report
TechUK and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) in the technology industry have called for a campaign of awareness to increase the use of the government's G-Cloud procurement framework.
According to a newly published report by TechUK, while 90 per cent of SMBs selling IT services to the public sector support the government's 33 per cent of procurement spend to SMBs, they also feel that there needs to be a better understanding of the tools available.
Indeed, 96 per cent of organisations surveyed said they thought the government should be doing more to improve their supply chain experience.
"The UK is benefiting from a new wave of tech entrepreneurship and there are now more opportunities than ever before for small and growing firms to access the Government's billion pound public sector procurement market," said Naureen Khan, associate director for public sector at TechUK.
"Our survey confirms government is on the right track. SMB's are overwhelmingly positive about the government's new target and G-Cloud is the clear ‘star of the show. However, there is more work to be done," she continued, before suggesting how government and industry can improve the experience for SMEs.
"The next phase needs to focus on raising awareness and use of important tools such as G-Cloud, Contracts Finder and Mystery Shopper. Government and industry need to work together to enable and support better collaboration through the supply chain," Khan said.
According to the TechUK report, G-Cloud has been well received by SMEs, with 80 per cent suggesting that it has helped them gained access to the market. However, the survey also suggests the government needs to do a lot more if it is to meet the target of 33 per cent of procurements coming from SMEs.
The greatest perceived stumbling block is the fact that SMEs don't think civil service buyers have a good understanding a good understanding of how SMEs can meet their needs.
TechUK has therefore recommended changes to improve the prospects of SMEs supplying IT services to government. They include the recommendation that Government Digital Service and the Crown Commercial Service should continue to support and promote the Digital Marketplace, and civil service leaders need to ensure G-Cloud becomes the primary route for procuring cloud services.
Also, it's recommended that TechUK and the Crown Commercial Service should work together to help improve the ecosystem by tackling unintended barriers that inhibit collaboration.
"We know that small businesses can be highly innovative and have the expertise we need to secure more value for the public sector. That's why government is changing the way it does business to open up public sector procurement to more small businesses," said Sally Collier, CEO of Crown Commercial Service.