For the G-Cloud framework to remain successful it is imperative that it does not lose sight of its core messaging when it comes to driving good cloud policies and practices. This is according to Peter Groucutt, Managing Director of a disaster recovery service provider, Databarracks.
In early February the G-Cloud framework announced the launch of its sixth iteration, and with the latest figures revealing that total sales have now passed £430m, this demonstrates how far the initiative has come since its launch almost three years go.
Central to G-Cloud’s success has been its ability to learn from its mistakes. When the Government Digital Service (GDS) took over the framework one of the most significant measures was to move G-Cloud from the CloudStore to the Digital Marketplace. In doing so, they drastically improved the search functionality and simplified the application process for suppliers, the firm says. While these changes have been widely welcomed, Groucutt expresses concern that the project may be losing some of its original vision and ultimately being swept up into a wider digital portfolio: “If users are to truly reap the benefits the framework must retain its cloud-first culture. There are concerns in the industry that G-Cloud is being pushed to one side, which was brought to light in a recent anonymous blog
However, Groucutt says he is confident that there is still enough passion behind the project to keep pushing it forward in 2015. He says: “G-Cloud represents so much more than just a marketplace for businesses to display their products, it’s about driving change in the industry, giving SMEs a chance to be heard, and promoting cloud-first policies within the public sector. At the recent Think Cloud event
Groucutt adds: “G-Cloud 6, is without a doubt a step in the right direction, which is what everyone wants to see. However, it is important that as we progress we don’t forget why G-Cloud was created in the first place. G-Cloud is not simply an online catalogue, it is an ideology and one that needs to remain central to its future.”
Databarracks has confirmed it has been selected onto the G-Cloud 6 framework with services available in Lots 1, 3 and 4 or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS) and Specialist Cloud Services.