Microsoft in collaboration with Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has released details of the next generation framework of Public-Sector pricing. The Digital Transformation Arrangements (DTA) will come into effect from 1 May 2018 and run for three years to 30 April 2021, providing greater access and discounts to assist customers in their use of Microsoft cloud technologies. This new framework further underlines Microsoft’s commitment and vision for assisting the UK Public Sector to embrace a Cloud-First policy where ever possible for both new and renewing customers.
Why not just extend CTA?
Since the conception of the Cloud Transformation Arrangement (CTA) back in 2014 a lot has changed in the Public Sector sphere in the UK: increased cyber threats, greater budget constraints, changing working cultures, Brexit and GDPR to name a few. These factors coupled with others have made it clear that it isn’t just about moving to cloud but to enable working holistically across an entire organisation and ensuring that investments in assets are being fully utilised to create a more collaborative, productive and secure environment.
What does this mean for you?
Since CTA was introduced, Microsoft’s Modern Workplace has also evolved, they have created suites and packages for UK Public Sector which bring together Office, Desktop and Security. This is called Microsoft 365 Enterprise which includes Office 365 Enterprise, Windows 10 Enterprise and Enterprise Mobility + Security.
From 1 May 2018, DTA offers various pricing terms on Enterprise Agreement Subscriptions (EAS) and Server and Cloud Enrolment (SCE) for new and renewing eligible customers.
In addition, Microsoft have launched a new package specifically for their UK Public Sector customers known as the Security and Compliance Package (SCP). This is available for Public Sector organisations licenced for Microsoft 365 E3 and provides; Office365 Advanced Threat Protection, Office365 Advance Compliance, Windows E5 step-up and EM+S E5 step-up.
The DTA will also bring support to those organisations looking at a strategy around Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure as the Azure Hybrid Benefit, Azure Reserved Instances & Azure Hybrid Benefit for SQL have all been listed as possible features of the DTA.
DTA concessions include
- Security and compliance packages (SCP) for government organisations who license Microsoft 365 E3
- Office ProPlus deployment concession from Office 365 if the deploying organisation faces a material technical restriction on third party application compatibility
- Sub 250 desktop / user enrolments – government organisations down to 100 desktops can access the EAS programme.
- SCE minimum of 240 core licenses or more for Core Infrastructure Suite licences and 30 core licenses or more for SQL Server
- Shared Services – one government organisation can access shared services provided by another government entity
- Transfer of Licenses – perpetual licences are no longer needed and can be transferred to another government entity
- Anything outside of the DTA reverts to Government Level D pricing.
- In some special circumstances existing CTAs terms will continue for certain organisations
What to do next
While this news was expected, undoubtedly you have questions that pertain to your organisations own unique circumstances. By reviewing your organisation’s current EAs, alongside your digital roadmaps, this will give you a clearer picture of potential cost implications and a timeline of when and where you’ll need to act.
In order to help you, we will be running a series of webinars in the coming weeks to explain our understanding of the changes, how the DTA works including the discount structure, and demonstrate working examples based on anonymous real-life customer examples.
Register your interest below and we will send you a choice of dates and times. Alternatively, for further details on this announcement contact your Trustmarque Account Manager or email [email protected].
