New IT hardware framework ‘could save NHS £250m’

A new two-year procurement framework for IT hardware has been launched with the potential to save the public sector up to £250m.

The Digital Workplace: Hardware Framework is designed to help NHS and public sector organisations purchase cost-effective IT hardware, offering consumer-orientated technologies from 19 suppliers.

Developed by NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) in partnership with NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC), the framework is due to run until February 2023 with an option to extend to 2025.

It has an estimated value of £1bn, with average indicative savings of 25% compared to buying direct from a supplier at list price, a potential cost saving of £250m, according to NHS SBS.

The agreement replaces the Link 2: IT hardware framework and includes desktop PCs; laptops; notebook devices, mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, wearables; specialist healthcare related IT hardware including clinical displays, infection control keyboards, mobile carts; and printers and scanners.

It’s free-to-access to provide public bodies, such as NHS trusts, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), universities, emergency services and local authorities, with a simple and compliant route to market for the most frequently required end-user client devices.

Phil Davies, director of procurement at NHS SBS, said: “The new framework provides ease and peace of mind for organisations looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to meet their end user device needs.

“In 2020, much of the country moved to remote working with huge success. The launch of the Digital Workplace: Hardware framework means the public sector can continue to access technologies that are pivotal to supporting productivity through flexible and innovative ways of working.

“The framework has been carefully-negotiated to ensure it offers the latest devices with highly competitive public sector pricing. With a comprehensive procurement exercise already undertaken, NHS and other public sector organisations can save valuable time and resource by directly awarding or carrying out mini-competitions as required.”

The new Digital Workplace: Hardware framework is part of a growing portfolio of digital and IT agreements managed by NHS SBS, including Digital Workplace Solutions, Cyber Security Services, Cloud Solutions, Digital Dictation, Speech Recognition and Outsourced Transcription and Healthcare Clinical Information Systems.

The framework can be assessed on the NHS SBS website here.

The full list of suppliers:

• Dell
• CDW
• Computacenter
• Getech
• Insight Direct
• Punch Technology
• Softcat
• SCC
• Stone Computers
• XMA
• IDNS
• Ricoh
• Academia
• Bytes Software Services
• Parity Computers
• CCS Media
• Desk Top Publishing Micro Systems
• Insight Systems
• MTI Technology