SCC and IBM launch new cloud platform for UK Government G-Cloud

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:26:12 GMT

SCC, Europe’s largest independent IT Group, announces today it has selected IBM hardware and software to help improve citizen services by creating a Secure Multi-Tenancy Cloud (SMTC) for CloudStore, part of the UK Government's G-Cloud programme. The UK-hosted cloud platform, created and managed by SCC, aims to deliver a diverse set of low cost business and technical services, ranging from back office processes to specialist government services, with high levels of security for public sector organisations.

Launching on 30 June 2012 the SMTC will offer scalable services and capabilities on a pay-as-you-go model. These will have been pre-accredited by UK Government from providers which currently include IBM and shortly a range of SME's. The cloud platform has completed the Government's Technical Risk Assessment, is IL3 accredited for its high levels of security and approved to hold sensitive information. This can give public sector organisations the confidence and flexibility to deliver new solutions quickly and efficiently, without undertaking a lengthy procurement process or investing in new infrastructure.

For the cloud platform SCC selected IBM blade server hardware designed to be highly flexible and resilient, while keeping power consumption to a minimum. SCC also selected a range of Tivoli software and Storwize V7000 storage technology solutions, for their ability to scale and achieve high levels of security and cost effectiveness. Working together, SCC and IBM will also tailor a range of Software as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions designed purely for public sector organisations.

“Our relationship with IBM will deliver to G-Cloud customers a range of highly scalable, robust and secure solutions at a much reduced cost said Tracy Westall, SCC’s UK Public Sector Director. “SME's will also be able to offer their own innovative solutions via an enterprise grade infrastructure that would previously have been out of their reach. It’s a win-win situation.”

“As the future of government service provisioning continues to change, SCC's cloud platform strives to open new doors to productivity and innovation for public sector organisations said Jan Gower, Vice President, Public Sector, Health and Life Sciences, IBM UK and Ireland. “IBM expertise and technology sit at the heart of the SMTC which can enable the public sector to select smarter services that match their business requirements. Together SCC and IBM will continue developing and expanding the SMTC whilst supporting additional services from SME's to ensure a full range of providers are represented.”

SMTC will launch by offering a range of IBM software packages including:
BlueWorks Live is designed to make organisational processes more efficient by automating processes which are currently done manually. Teams can collaborate by logging onto a central system to see exactly what tasks have been completed, what tasks are currently being worked on and what tasks still need attention.
Predictive analytical software is designed to help analyse and spot trends in data that organisations already own on young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) at impact level 3 (IL3) security. Having a better analysis of young people can potentially enable organisations to identify education, training and employment opportunities helping to reduce unemployment in communities.
Data management software is designed to enable organisations to get a single view of the citizen by connecting disparate pieces information across departments, programmes and agencies. Having a complete picture of the relationship can potentially improve service to the citizen while cutting fraud and waste.
SCC and IBM will also work to adapt a range of off-the-shelf solutions for cloud delivery to the public sector.

SCC wins UKI Enterprise partner of the year at Symantec Channel Excellence Awards.

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:16:16 GMT

SCC has been awarded UKI Enterprise partner of the year at the prestigious Symantec Channel Excellence Awards.

Presented with the coveted prize at a ceremony in Rome last month, Europe’s largest independent technology solutions provider was recognised for a track record of excellence in its promotion of the Symantec range. Judges praised the company for demonstrating expertise in its key solution areas and growth markets during the course of another highly successful year of trading.

“After an outstanding 2011 that saw us become Symantec’s largest UK reseller in that financial year, winning such a prestigious award is really putting a cherry on the cake. It serves as a welcome reminder that a strategy of continued investment in our enterprise software business has paid dividends, placing us firmly amongst the leading players in the sector,” said Peter Spreadbury, Vendor Alliances Director – Enterprise for SCC

The Symantec Channel Excellence Awards recognize UK and Irish partners that have invested in Symantec and demonstrated expertise and success in the company’s key solution areas and growth markets. Announced at the annual Partner Awards Dinner in Italy, this year’s event honoured those companies with the long term vision to deliver value throughout the chain from publisher to independent vendor.

Spreadbury added: "Today SCC is very firmly playing in the enterprise premier league, racking up a series of major wins with household names across the commercial and public sectors. Much of this is due to the investment we've made in training, certifications and accreditations, but ultimately everything we do is simply a reflection of the results we deliver for our customers."

SCC says G-Cloud will open up public sector market to competitive SMEs

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:37:22 GMT

Europe’s largest independent technology solutions provider believes that the UK’s nascent G-Cloud Services framework has created a highly effective new route for SMEs looking to do business with the public sector.

SCC, which today announced the success of its application for a framework agreement for the provision of G-Cloud services, says that small to medium sized enterprises now face an unprecedented opportunity to make inroads to the government IT market. Run from its award-wining custom built UK data centre, the company believes that the range of cloud infrastructure services it will offer under the new system will provide smaller players with the ideal platform to sell direct into the public sector.

“It’s important that the IT sector doesn’t underestimate the scale of the opportunity on offer here. We have invested heavily in creating a secure, reliable and effective cloud infrastructure suitable for the public sector and now that the G-Cloud framework agreement is finally in place, smaller players can piggyback on our technology to market their services direct to the government and beyond,” said Tracy Westall, SCC’s UK Public Sector Director.

“The world of public sector procurement may have seemed remote and unreachable for many IT businesses in the past, but now many of the obstacles standing in their way have been removed at a stroke.”

Following a comprehensive public tender process the Government Procurement Service has granted SCC’s application to offer G-Cloud services in four categories, including Infrastructure (IaaS) Services, Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS) and Specialist Cloud Services. The company’s bid saw it offer a variety of optimised cloud solutions from its custom built UK data centre, providing the technical capacity and credibility that underpins a number of smaller provider’s offerings from a facility awarded the Green Grid Award for Sustainability 2011 at the Data Centres in Europe Awards.

SMEs producing relevant software and services can now partner with SCC to make them available to public sector procurement teams via G-Cloud. By doing so, the company believes that while the cost of going to market will be significantly reduced, the speed of doing so will increase exponentially.

SCC Chief Technology Officer Rhys Sharp added: “The benefits here are twofold. Clearly SMEs will have a swifter, more effective route to the marketplace, but perhaps more importantly, government departments will now have a safe, practical channel through which to engage with smaller companies and encounter a range of innovative niche solutions to organisational problems.”

SCC has been named the VMware OEM Partner Of The Year 2011

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:10:50 GMT

SCC has been named the VMware OEM Partner Of The Year 2011 following 12 months of strong growth that have seen the leading technology solutions provider become VMware’s biggest reseller of OEM branded product in the UK.

Presented with the prestigious award at a ceremony in London last week, Europe’s largest independent technology solutions provider was recognised for a strategy that has seen the company drive a 32% increase in VMware OEM revenue over the past 12 months. During the same time SCC has also seen a big increase in its direct revenues with VMware, making the overall size of the business about £10 million a year.

“Clearly we’re delighted with these results, which vindicate our commitment with VMware to build solutions encompassing their technologies, and server products from our IBM and HP server ranges” said Peter Spreadbury, SCC’s Director of Enterprise Alliances.

“It’s all about attention to detail. The marketplace for virtualisation was considered by many to be nearly saturated, but by driving a strategy of selling the VMware product family bundled within our server offering, we’ve seen a raft of opportunities open up as we’ve reached out to a fresh audience.”

By buying VMware products on an OEM basis, the end user enjoys the peace of mind in knowing that the integration with its servers will be seamless, simplifying the entire implementation process at a stroke.

The winning strategy reflects the strong capabilities of SCC’s services business around all areas of virtualisation based on solutions from VMware. Such growth reflects the importance virtualisation plays in all areas of the company’s customers’ planning and execution, and is a result that the company believes vindicates its long-standing commitment to best-of-breed virtualisation solutions.

Having enjoyed significant gains through the OEM route to market, SCC plans to continue its focus on the updated VMware product family. With version 5 of the firm’s vSphere product recently launched, priority for the coming year will be on seeing the upgraded packages implemented across the company’s customer base.

Spreadbury added: “After a year of strong performances and increased market share this is not an appropriate time to rest on our laurels. There are a host of developments set to hit the market over the next 12 months and we expect 2012 to see further growth as SCC introduces the evolving VMware range to a new generation of customers.”

SCC speakers warn Cloud Expo audience of consumerisation challenge ahead

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:38:54 GMT

SCC has told the audience attending this year’s Cloud Expo that the IT sector must face up to multiple challenges and come to terms with a new way of thinking if it is to remain relevant to modern business.

Following a two day conference at which both Chief Technical Officer Rhys Sharp and Director of Corporate Business Strategy Ian Sherratt gave pivotal presentations on the rapidly evolving cloud sector’s escalating importance, attendees were told that many IT departments are failing to respond sufficiently to market disruption brought about by cloud services and the Consumerisation of IT. Outlining a raft of challenges facing in-house support teams, the experts warned that they must demonstrate the ability to keep up with the changing demands of a workforce accustomed to doing what they want, whenever they want to, on any device of their choice.

“The IT business isn’t all about the technology anymore - it’s about the user experience. Support departments need to realise that the industry has not as a whole responded well to the disruptive technologies that have changed the way we work, and that adopting a fresh perspective focused on the end point rather than the technological journey is going to be crucial over the coming months and years,” said Sherratt.

“It should serve as a wake-up call that 30% of The UK’s corporate IT spend is now controlled from outside the traditional IT department. The industry needs to come to terms with this, look at popular clouds like music and social networking and recognise the need to mimic that success.”

Delegates to the conference were presented with learnings from SCC’s experience of evolving services to meet with the demands of Consumerisation and the cloud. Europe’s largest independent technology solutions provider has invested heavily in the data centre facilities and expertise required to develop and deliver services that can be consumed on a cost per seat basis.

In order to adapt to the evolving environment, organisations must address several key challenges, starting with a strategic review of critical infrastructure designed to identify the killer apps that would best connect staff with the business’ processes. Teams need to identify which employees need to do their job faster, better and cheaper, and to look at how they collaborate at work and align it with the way people communicate in their time off.

Delegates were also urged to reconsider the complexity of their approach to IT solutions and adopt a cloud-inspired mind-set that is simpler, more intuitive and uncomplicated. The speakers told them that innovation must lie at the heart of what they do, and that while maintaining a radical approach was important, they must also consider how to set their data free while still retaining control.

As an increasing body of businesses begin to embrace such an approach, many are likely to consider termination of existing major change projects in line with a rapidly shifting marketplace. SCC believes that on the cloud era in-house initiatives make less sense, and predicts that using existing solutions and outsourced partnerships is likely to become a focus of activity over the next few years.

Sherratt added: “We need to stop agonising about how we’re going to make legacy software run on an iPad and start a different kind of conversation between IT departments and business, to focus on data sovereignty and forget about operating systems, embracing a client-centric perspective and a more flexible approach to the end point.

“IT departments have to move now on these things because user opinion is already ahead of you. If you can’t deliver the services they’re going to demand soon, then pretty quickly you’re going to hear people within the business asking why not.”

SCC hails G-Cloud as a new era in public IT Procurement

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:32:05 GMT

SCC has praised the establishment of the G-Cloud purchasing framework as the beginning of a new era in government IT procurement.

As a contributor to the industry discussions that formed the basis of the G-Cloud proposal, Europe’s largest technology solutions provider has been working on its own bid for a place on a framework designed to allow public sector organisations to purchase cloud based services on demand. The first round of applications closed on the 19th December 2011, yet while the final results will not be announced until early 2012, the company believes the new framework could help to put an end to the age of overpriced and under-performing government IT projects.

“Rightly or wrongly, public sector IT procurement has been characterised by projects that go over budget, miss their deadlines and fail to provide the functionality they were commissioned to deliver. G-Cloud is a concerted effort to bring an end to that situation and, like many across the industry, we’re delighted to be enabling the kind of technology initiatives that will help the government deliver services faster, better and cheaper,” said SCC’s Director of Public Sector Business Tracy Westall.

“With hundreds of companies ranging from multinational corporations to SMEs competing to offer services via a framework should enable organisations to make purchasing decisions quickly and easily.”

More than 500 companies have expressed interest in offering competing services on G-Cloud, with the final selection process expected to begin in spring 2012. Use of the service by public organisations and departments will be mandatory, with likely purchases ranging from Enterprise-scale systems provision contracts to standard Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings such as email, electronic documents and records management.

SCC notes that whereas traditionally, many public organisations have been bound into long term IT contracts by punitive penalties for seeking to end even failed projects, the new framework should put an end to such situations. Services will be offered on contracts as short as 30 days, enabling public sector organisations to buy into services when they need them and step away when they don’t.

In line with its support of the new system SCC has bid for its own place on the framework, offering a variety of optimised cloud solutions from its custom built UK data centre. The company has also continued its track record of partnering with SME players within the sector, providing the technical capacity and credibility that underpins a number of smaller provider’s offerings from a facility awarded the Green Grid Award for Sustainability 2011 at the Data Centres in Europe Awards.

SCC’s Chief Technical Officer Rhys Sharp added: “In many ways G-Cloud signals a levelling of the playing field, enabling public sector organisations to respond to a dynamic working environment as quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as their counterparts in the private sector have always been able to. As a company we’re delighted that the government has launched us on a journey that should deliver far greater value in return for the UK’s stretched technology budget.

“From an economic perspective, the new framework is great news. It will enable hundreds of British businesses to offer their services to a customer base that has until now been out of reach, providing genuine potential for growth and striking a particularly positive note for the future.”

Sharp will be presenting at Cloud Expo Europe 2012 on the 25th January 2012 at the National Hall, Olympia in London. The seminar ‘Optimise Cloud’ – A better way to deliver IT services commences at 10.55am on Wednesday 25th January and SCC will be on stand 569.

SCC predicts major virtualisation challenge as corporate demand soars

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:16:48 GMT

SCC has warned that UK companies face a major challenge keeping up with application services demand as businesses across the country prepare to deploy increasing numbers of virtual machines over the next year.

Unveiling a strategic agreement with next generation virtualisation experts Xsigo, Europe's largest independent technology solutions provider believes that a range of compelling factors will cause demand for virtualisation services to spike sharply in 2012. The company says that the move underlines its commitment to a strategic plan to assemble a comprehensive stable of best-of-breed products and channel services required to meet the growing virtualisation challenge.

"SCC has been working with a range of virtualisation technologies for years, but there's little doubt that trends like flexible working, the consumerisation of IT and the emergence of cloud computing have combined to send virtualisation demand spiralling sharply upwards. To respond, companies will have to significantly accelerate their virtualisation activities and quickly adapt to the demands of this computing model," said Andy Wright, SCC’s Director for Vendor Alliances.

"To meet these demands, data center managers need a firm technical command of emerging technologies like Xsigo's that deliver the data bandwidth and infrastructure flexibility needed to meet their virtualisation objectives. We are delighted to see Xsigo join our armoury of virtualisation solutions."

The strategic agreement will see SCC reselling Xsigo’s next generation virtualisation solutions and integrating the technology in its end-to-end service portfolio. The agreement was signed this month following a six month trial period which included a number of successful customer deployments.

Wright added: “As part of our on-going strategy to provide clients with whatever solution they need, whenever they need it, SCC is always looking for new technologies that assist our clients in delivering more efficient IT solutions, in a more cost effective manner and with short concept to delivery times. Xsigo ticks all of these boxes, and when this is combined with their flexibility and willingness to drive the market, it leads to a potent solution for the customer.

Michelle Humphreys, Business Development Director of Xsigo EMEA, commented: “SCC offers our mutual customers access to a highly experienced sales and technical staff who can help architect end-to-end solutions optimised for IT initiatives such as cloud, virtualisation, VDI and database. We look forward to working with the company to rapidly meet our customers’ most challenging needs."

SCC says Data Centre revolution to underpin decade of change

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:32:33 GMT

SCC Chief Technical Officer Rhys Sharp has told an audience at the 2011 IP Expo in London that a combination of recent advances in data centre technology and budgetary pressures are driving businesses to fundamentally rethink the way they consume IT.

At a session organised by networking giants Cisco -Building a Data Centre ready for Cloud - Sharp briefed attendees on SCC's decade long strategy of investment in its custom built hosting facilities, a policy he believes has paved the way for a major cultural change in the way businesses think of and use technology. Citing a robust 21st Century infrastructure built on improved storage, ubiquitous connectivity and network resilience, he told the Earls Court audience that ten years of perpetual evolution have delivered a modern data centre capable of supporting a completely different approach to corporate computing.

"Together with the financial imperatives brought by the economic slow down, the emergence of the modern data centre has created a perfect storm where businesses are not only capable of effecting major changes in their use of IT, but also have a powerful motivation to do so as quickly as is practicable. The fact that companies across the country are under pressure to deliver their processes faster, better and more cheaply than ever before may not be new, but at least now we have the technology we need to really do something about it," said Sharp.

"In less than a decade we've seen a series of rapid developments that have taken us from the point where a data centre was just a server room in the corner of an office to the point where it has become a highly complex, state-of-the-art instillation in its own right. Now, as users begin switching from the distributed computing environment to a centralised approach, I believe we are poised to witness ten years of even more rapid development as enterprises move quickly towards adopting a Technology as a Service model."

SCC's IP Expo session demonstrated to participants how building a new Data Centre today requires a fresh approach and a new way of thinking, as the pace of change in the technology sector accelerates we see a new generation of virtualisation capabilities arrive that deliver greater convergence and higher levels of optimisation. Sharp showed how bringing these technologies together has helped the company build an award winning efficient data centre and cloud platform that is ready for the demands of 21st century cloud computing.

Launched in 2010, SCC's latest custom built data centre was awarded the Green Grid Award for Sustainability 2011 at the Data Centres in Europe Awards earlier this year. Located in its UK technology campus, the company's Dual Data Centre sites are at the heart of the UK transport network, allowing easy access for engineers. The location also avoids any problems associated with the extensive pressure being put on London’s power grid, both from ongoing growth and from the expected demands of the forthcoming Olympic Games, the threat of power shortages and the possibility of brownouts or rolling blackouts, which has recently raised concerns in the data centre industry.

Rhys Sharp was speaking at the IP EXPO at Earls Court, London. Visit SCC at Stand A8 within the Cisco village to see how our Data Centre services can provide you affordable, immediate and risk free access to the smartest business enabling technologies and solutions tailored to your needs.

HP awards SCC ServiceOne Expert status

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:30:17 GMT

SCC has met the exacting standards required to be awarded ‘Expert’ status within HP’s prestigious ServiceOne programme, one of the UK technology industry's most rigorous accreditation schemes.

SCC is one of only eight UK companies to achieve the coveted certification, which means access to an expanded range of HP products that it can deliver service on as an accredited service partner. Confirming its service capabilities to mitigate customers’ risks when designing, implementing and running HP solutions; this accreditation firmly underlines SCC’s status as one of HP’s most valuable European partners.

“Achieving Expert status is no easy task. HP sets very stringent standards in both technical ability and sales performance and is testament to the dedication and skills our team puts into making technologies work for our customers,” said Paula Jordan, SCC’s Operations Director.

“Our enhanced status means we will work closely with HP to offer our customers even better sales, service and delivery.”
Andy Wright, SCC’s Director for Vendor Alliances added: “Accreditation has been a long process, but it underlines our commitment to providing our customers with access to the very best available technologies. The significant investment and long-term commitment we have put into ServiceOne has not only secured this coveted accreditation, but enhanced our continually improving range of services, not to mention further raising our profile in HP”.

SCC software business expands as integrator becomes UK's leading reseller of IBM, Symantec and Oracle products

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:51:34 GMT

SCC has unveiled a record set of results for the group's expanding software business, reporting year-on-year sales growth well in excess of 100% as the technology integrator emerges as the UK's leading reseller of IBM, Symantec and Oracle products.

Following a year of rapid development, Europe's largest independent technology solutions provider has grown to become IBM's biggest UK reseller with a market share of more than 50% year to date, the culmination of a 30-year relationship that this week saw the company honoured at the computing giant's Partnership Awards. Also lining up as the country's leading Oracle Business Partner on the back of exponential growth that has seen orders this year outstrip total sales for the preceding three years, SCC has simultaneously established itself as Symantec's largest UK reseller in their FY2011.

"Strengthening our software business has been a key plank of the group's growth strategy for some time now, and we're delighted to be talking about a level of performance that has seen us become the single most important UK reseller for not one but three of the world's most trusted brands. That success has been based on an assured approach that offers our customers confidence and security, together with a long-term vision designed to deliver value throughout the chain from publisher to independent vendor," said Peter Spreadbury, Director of Enterprise Partners.

"The overriding message for the market here is that although customers may not be spending big they are spending smart and any business that can help them work faster and better with reduced costs will prosper in the current environment."

SCC, which plans to publish learnings derived from the experience of its IBM, Oracle and Symantec partnerships over the course of the summer, cites multiple factors contributing to the strong performance of its software business. The company has invested heavily in attaining gold-standard technical accreditations covering virtually every area of its operations and has attained a new level of credibility reflecting its growing experience in the sector.

Such activities reflect a track record of working closely with its software partners over an extended period. Last week saw IBM celebrate its 100th anniversary, and at a ceremony celebrating the centenary recognised SCC as one of it's best and longest established UK partners after three decades working together.

Peter Spreadbury added: "Whereas once SCC may once have been seen as the new kid on the software business block today we're very firmly playing in the premier league, racking up a series of major wins with household names across the commercial and public sectors. Much of this is due to the investment we've made in training, certifications and accreditations but everything we do is ultimately and simply a reflection of the results we deliver for our customers."

SCC is Europe’s largest independent technology solutions provider around the infrastructure, and is part of Specialist Computer Holdings (SCH) plc. The Group has regional operations in seven different countries, employs over 7,000 professional staff and has delivered sustained, profitable growth for some 35 years, with annual turnover exceeding £2.5 billion.
Long term partnerships with the world’s leading solutions providers combine with SCC’s services capabilities to create a rapid return on an investment in IT. It has an enviable track record of successfully helping European-based companies and Government organisations better manage their technology infrastructure, remove cost and create business advantage.

SCC unveils Oracle Exadata V2 capabilities in Lyndon Place data centre

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:12:13 GMT

SCC has become one of the elite group of organisations capable of demonstrating the Oracle Exadata V2's capabilities after installing one of the machines in its Lyndon Place Data Centre.

The announcement, which sees Europe's largest independent technology solutions supplier become one of only two UK vendors offering clients the opportunity to test the turbo charged Oracle platform, will afford SCC's clients a rare opportunity to assess the solutions potential impact upon their organisation's operations. Enterprise scale customers wishing to test the system's performance using their own data will be able to effectively judge the benefits of the combined server, software and storage package without running the risk of impacting upon their day-to-day operations.

"We're delighted to be in a position to demonstrate the potential of this exciting new technology in an environment that enables clients to get an accurate overview of how it will impact upon their businesses without endangering core business activities. As a combined server, storage, infiniband switching and software solution Exadata v2 promises to greatly improve the reliability of large scale transactional databases, and the ability to test its capabilities in a safe context will prove a major benefit to organisations wishing to investigate the system's capabilities," said Peter Spreadbury,Director of Vendor Alliances for SCC.

The Exadata V2 has already been installed in the Lyndon Place Data Centre, allowing end-users to experience the very latest infrastructure solution from the market leading technology vendors. The facility will provide clients with the opportunity to design database solutions for their operations, enabling them to benchmark real world performance in the safety of a simulated environment in readiness for solution deployment.

Exadata V2 is the world’s first database machine for both data warehousing and online transaction processing (OLTP) applications that features Sun FlashFire technology. Combined with Oracle Database 11g, it provides a comprehensive platform for high-performance data management functions, promising improved reliability and reduced maintenance costs at a stroke.

Peter Spreadbury added: "Exadata V2 is a compelling solution allowing businesses to cost-effectively manage growing business information and consolidate database applications on low-cost grids while eliminating the cost of third-party speciality servers. Providing for the first time a combined software and hardware platform that has been built entirely by Oracle, it looks set to fundamentally change enterprise expectations over reliability and cost."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About SCC

Long term partnerships with the world’s leading solutions providers combine with SCC’s services capabilities to create a rapid return on an investment in IT. It has an enviable track record of successfully helping European-based companies and Government organisations better manage their technology infrastructure, remove cost and create business advantage.

For further information:

Judy Groves: judy.groves@sch-group.com / T: 0121 766 2594

SCC named Lenovo Corporate Reseller of the Year

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:03:34 GMT

Leading technology integrator SCC has been named Lenovo Corporate Reseller of the Year at the manufacturer's annual awards ceremony.

Emerging as winners ahead of a short list drawn from the entire EMEA region, SCC was awarded the prize in recognition of the company's particularly strong performance in the UK market. Collecting the honour at a prestigious ceremony in Amsterdam's Hilton Hotel last week, Europe's largest independent technology solutions provider was praised for an effective expansion strategy that has witnessed 197% growth in the past year.

"In a nutshell, this ably demonstrates that the high volume desktop space sits at the heart of our core services and solutions strategy. The whole organisation has worked as a team on this strategy and we're delighted to see all of that hard work and talent honoured in this manner," said Andy Wright, Director, Vendor Alliances at SCC.

Presented by a panel of Lenovo's senior executives, the award recognised SCC's efforts to drive growth in its client sales operation. Judges praised the company for general excellence and the ability to deliver results in challenging trading conditions.

Andy Wright added: "At a high level, Lenovo's EMEA business strategy is clearly paying off. They've taken an approach designed to deliver real growth over the last couple of years and, combined with a solid product set that fits well with customer requirements, that's delivering real progress and a positive market response."

SCC scoops key award at Citrix Synergy 2010

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:44:16 GMT

In what promises to be the year of Desktop as a Service (DaaS), SCC has won a key award at Citrix Synergy 2010. Accepting the prize at a packed San Francisco ceremony this week, Europe's leading technology integrator was presented with the award for Best Demo* of how businesses can connect via various devices to a Windows 7 desktop, hosted in SCC's Data Centre.

Mike Swain, SCC's UK Services Director, said:

"The desktop of the future is finally here and it's available anywhere, anytime and anyhow. We're delighted to have won this award because it amply demonstrates that in an era where users are demanding more flexibility and greater power at a reduced cost, the latest generation of virtualised services is a working reality."We are already delivering this solution to a number of major customers who find that the proposition is simple to implement and low risk, while typically achieving savings of at least 50% - ensuring that it is both affordable and sensible."

Kevin Bland, Citrix's Channel Director for UK & Ireland, said:

"Fantastic endorsement for SCC and well deserved. Every business has two major assets: its people and its information. DaaS is the glue that holds them together. SCC’s Desktop as a Service proposition provides people with the flexibility required to get the job done in their time frame, their way, wherever they want to be - as SCC has shown with their winning Demo."

At the same awards ceremony, AppSense, who's technology was utilised to personalise the SCC virtual desktop session, saw it named Citrix Ready Solution of the Year. This was in recognition of the partner who best excels in delivering solutions that are complementary to and driving the adoption of Citrix technologies.

Paul Higley, UK Country Manager, AppSense said:

“We congratulate SCC on winning its award. Their DaaS proposition has proven power and flexibility and is fast generating significant interest, creating a strong pipeline of wins and a number of important new customers.”

*Best Demo of the Power of FlexCast and HDX 2010

About SCC

For more information/ images contact:

Judy Groves: judy.groves@sch-group.com / Mobile 07976 014 100 / Tel 0121 766 2594

Louise Acton: louise.acton@btinternet.com / Mobile 07595 355 938

Iain Bruce: iain@revolver-pr.co.uk / Mobile 07929 466 152

SCC scoops key award at Citrix Synergy 2010.

Fri, 14 May 2010 15:22:18 GMT

Kevin Bland, Citrix's Channel Director for UK & Ireland, said:

For more information/ images contact:

Judy Groves: judy.groves@sch-group.com / Mobile 07976 014 100 / Tel 0121 766 2594

Louise Acton: louise.acton@btinternet.com / Mobile 07595 355 938

Iain Bruce: iain@revolver-pr.co.uk / Mobile 07929 466 152

SCC unveils Desktop as a Service (DaaS) with first UK demonstration of iPad

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:22:12 GMT

Launching its Desktop as a Service (DaaS) package, at an event at the Birmingham Metropole, SCC demonstrated how businesses can connect any device to a Windows 7 desktop, hosted in their Data Centre, using one of the must-have iPads - in conjunction with the latest Citrix Receiver software.

Europe's largest independent technology integrator believes that in an era where users are demanding more flexibility and greater power at a reduced cost, the latest generation of virtualised services is finally making the desktop of the future a reality.

Mike Swain, SCC's UK Services Director, said:

"The DaaS revolution is about delivering more flexibility, power and mobility than business has ever had at its disposal before. Designed to dramatically reduce the cost of ownership of the desktop, whilst improving flexibility in the workplace, the fact that business users can connect to their desktop and applications from any device is an important step in helping our customers reduce the cost of ownership around the desktop, improve the effectiveness of their workforce and allow access to the very latest operating systems and technologies.

"We are already delivering this solution to a number of major customers who find that the proposition is simple to implement and low risk, while typically achieving savings of at least 50%[i] -ensuring that it is both affordable and sensible."

In addition to providing users the ability to access their corporate desktop environments anywhere, anytime and using any device, DaaS also entails a number of long term benefits. By placing emphasis on the Data Centre rather than individual devices it promotes longer hardware life. While organisations seeking to avoid added costs can switch this part of their IT infrastructure from a capital investment to operating expenditure.

Proponents of the technology also point out that by extending the corporate working environment to employees wherever they are and reducing the need for unnecessary travel, the new generation of DaaS services will also have environmental benefits.

Kevin Bland, Citrix's Channel Director for UK & Ireland said:

"Every business has two major assets: its people and its information. DaaS is the glue that holds them together.

"Work isn't a place that you go to anymore, but a thing that you do. SCC’s Desktop as a Service proposition provides people with the flexibility required to get the job done in their time frame, their way, wherever they want to be. Now freedom means both the device you prefer and the location you want to be."

SCC's recent iPad demo

ENDS

Buying Solutions awards Sprint ii IT framework agreement to SCC

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:11:04 GMT

Buying Solutions, in collaboration with HMRC, have procured a Pan-Government framework agreement for use by UK public sector bodies including, amongst others, Central Government Departments and their Agencies, Non Departmental Public Bodies; NHS bodies and Local Authorities.

Sprint ii is unique in offering a single supplier one-stop-shop for a wide range of ICT products & services. It is anticipated that SPRINT ii will fill a niche not covered by existing Buying Solutions ICT framework agreements, namely a quick route via a one-stop-shop.

The new Sprint ii framework agreement went live on 16th March 2010 and will run for four years, allowing the public sector to access IT products and services with the use of catalogue ordering, but not via further competition (as this is a single supplier framework agreement further competition is not necessary).

The products and services available under Sprint ii fall into four broad categories: Hardware; Software; Infrastructure (including Networks & Telecommunications); and Services.

Tracy Westall, SCC’s Director responsible for the Public Sector, said:

"We're delighted that SCC has been selected to provide a central supply of ICT services and solutions via the Sprint ii framework agreement. Although the company has played a role in Government procurement for several years, we are now the only UK technology company to have been awarded sole supplier framework agreement."

The Framework tendering system was originally set up to simplify Government procurement processes and make information on accredited ICT providers more accessible within its departments. A key driver of the framework agreement is not only to keep prices as low as possible but also to keep the procurement process itself cost-effective.

Robert Macleod, Project Manager for Sprint ii at Buying Solutions, added:

“Following a rigorous evaluation and selection process, SCC has been awarded a framework agreement to provide ICT to the public sector. SCC will play a key role in helping the public sector to buy a wide range of products and services quickly and easily”.

ENDS

About SCC

To help your business release immediate savings, visit http://www.scc.com

Kind regards

Louise Acton

M 07595 355 938

T 01743 7613 20

louise.acton@btinternet.com

SCC launches Secure IT Box recycling service

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:10:28 GMT

Europe's largest independent technology provider has unveiled a ‘Secure IT Box’ service that enables organisations to recycle redundant hardware in complete safety.

The launch follows the success of SCC's Green IT Box, which allows organisations to dispose of their redundant hardware quickly, simply and in full compliance with current British & European regulations. Responding to customer requests, the company has introduced a tamper proof, highly secure version of the service designed to fulfill the requirements of IT departments for whom security is a high priority.

"The need for security does not end the moment a piece of hardware reaches the end of its service life. Across the private and public sectors, many organisations need to be able to track their redundant stock every step of the way through the disposal service," said Jon Sansom, director of SCC's purpose-built recycling facility.

"The response to our original Green IT Box has been fantastic and we saw there was also demand for a highly secure version of this service and so we have moved quickly to address that need."

Manufactured in high-strength plastic, once an item of hardware has been placed in the Secure IT Box it is impossible to remove without one of the supplied security keys. Part of an all-inclusive service with no hidden extra costs, once they have been filled, the boxes are collected by authorised personnel and transported direct to SCC's purpose built recycling facility.

Billed as the most efficient high-tech environmental solution on the market today, 90% of all materials, components and packaging placed in the Secure IT Box are recycled, producing zero landfill. At a single price including delivery, collection and recycling charges - clients are guaranteed full compliance with all regulations and receive official certificates on completion of the process.

"The Secure IT Box system takes the pressure off organisations who remain committed to corporate environmental responsibility but have limited resources to work through various compliance issues, while also guaranteeing important security requirements are fully met. Put simply, we believe it's the most cost-effective, safe, straight-forward and green recycling option on the market today."

SCC's unique state-of-the-art UK facility has been recognised for its role in driving forward environmental best-practice in the business arena. The 50,000 square feet recycling centre offers a range of refurbishment, re-marketing and data disposal services for firms, where redundant IT can be taken away and new kit delivered.

To read more about SCC's purpose-built recycling facility visit: http://www.scc.com/recycling

About SCC

SCC is Europe’s largest independent technology solutions provider around the infrastructure and is part of Specialist Computer Holdings (SCH) plc. The Group has regional operations in seven European countries, employs over 7,000 professional staff and has delivered sustained, profitable growth for some 35 years, with annual turnover exceeding £2.5 billion. SCC has an enviable track record of success in helping Business and Government organisations enhance the performance of their investment in I.T., while removing unnecessary costs. Established partnerships with the world’s best known technology brands combine with SCC’s long term investment in design, delivery and services to help customers profit from technology.

SCC becomes first IBM dynamic infrastructure elite partner

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:45:39 GMT

SCC, the leading technology integrator, has become the first UK IBM business partner to secure its ‘Dynamic Infrastructure (DI) Elite’ status. SCC’s pre-eminent expertise in the breadth of IBM’s technologies was pivotal to it achieving ‘Elite’ recognition. It also reinforces SCC’s strategic commitment to partners whose strategies and technologies are proven to remove unnecessary cost, achieve ROI and deliver growth through service performance.

IBM’s Dynamic Infrastructure is an approach that addresses how technology can help customers manage existing business challenges and achieve future opportunities, irrespective of their starting point, through a proven set of capabilities and products. It aims to accelerate the opportunity to transform the IT network through future proofed solutions that firmly link IT to an organisation’s success, while also addressing individual customer ‘pain points’.

James Rigby, SCC’s UK Managing Director, said:

“It’s imperative to change how we think about the infrastructure. At SCC, we understand that clients face real operational challenges, higher service expectations, rising costs and new risks. A Dynamic Infrastructure will help organisations move beyond these challenges, achieve breakthrough productivity levels, accelerate value creation and achieve agile business operations.

“In becoming the only UK partner operating at the highest level, ‘Elite’; SCC is qualified to deliver workshops that facilitate and direct the opportunities for transformation so technology and business assets can best work together, underpin performance and support profitability which is so important in today’s fast changing and cost conscious business climate.”

Henrik Schlegel, IBM’s Vice President, Sales, Business Partners, North-East Europe, said:

“IBM is very pleased to have SCC’s enthusiasm and commitment which has led to it becoming the first business partner in the UK to achieve the stringent Dynamic Infrastructure Elite status. IBM’s business partner community, and their adoption of DI, is key to our mutual success in 2010. With this accreditation in place, SCC and IBM can help their customers achieve the very real business benefits of deploying our DI model.”

SCC’s James Rigby added:

“Our long standing commitment to IBM solutions, and our investment in this programme, reinforces our focus on helping customers profit from their investment in IT. Dynamic Infrastructure is all about making it easy to put the smartest, greenest, fastest technology into an organisation, be that either a standardised or a customised solution.”

About SCC

SCC has an enviable track record of success in helping Business and Government organisations profit from technology, enhance service delivery and remove unnecessary cost. Established partnerships with the world’s leading technology brands combine with long term investment in design, delivery and services capability to help customers achieve a rapid return on their investment in IT.

Economic pressure on IT departments driving demand for technology as a service

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:08:25 GMT

Mounting pressure on IT directors being squeezed by the burden of reducing budgets and achieving more flexibility from their IT infrastructure is bringing about a fundamental shift in the way technology is being procured.

According to an internal poll of customers, leading technology group SCC has identified two main drivers behind the changing IT market. Businesses are increasingly turning to hosted applications in an attempt to fast access affordable and best of breed technologies; simultaneously, they need to maintain or reduce current capital expenditure levels.

“While the economic downturn is putting tremendous pressure on IT departments to reduce operating costs, company boards still want the latest technologies delivering improved performance and efficiencies throughout the business – leaving the CTO’s struggling between a rock and a hard place,” said Nick Martin, General Manager of Solution Architecture at SCC.

“As a consequence, we have seen a sharp rise in demand for hosted applications, cloud computing solutions and technology as a service (TaaS). These are widely considered an opportunity to remove the barriers to affordable access.

“With up-front capital expenditure no longer necessary and the hassle and risk of management taken away - particularly where ageing legacy systems present complex environments – companies are increasingly seeking such risk free alternatives to expensive in-house systems.”

By packaging technologies and delivering them back to the customer as a service, a highly resilient and secure solution is provisioned at speed for a predictable and fixed price. With the scope for operating cost reductions of more than 20%, it is a compelling proposition. It is also easy to add or remove technologies in line with business needs - providing flexible access to the latest solutions, at low risk. Moreover, the best available SLAs will be achieved.

Utility services are available across the entire infrastructure. This is relevant because the size of many organisations server estates has increased massively, with new machines demanded for every additional business application. The burden of managing large volumes of data has also put storage under the spotlight. It may be true that consolidation strategies can resolve related issues, but not every IT director can allocate the required capital expenditure.

Moreover, advocates of hosted applications, such as Microsoft Exchange and Sharepoint, point out that they are significantly cheaper to buy as managed services, when compared to the costs involved in setting up a dedicated in-house system. They also provide users with the flexibility to add or remove services at any point and will underpin an effective and fast Disaster Recovery (DR) strategy.

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