TNP secures 5-year local connectivity services contract with Warrington Council02/08/2016
TNP (The Networking People (Northwest) Ltd) has secured a 5-year contract with Warrington Borough Council to design and deliver integrated data access networking services and local connectivity across the council’s operations and premises, including affiliated organisations.
TNP tendered for the contract through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Network Services framework agreement (RM1045). The company has been awarded a place on the framework agreement to provide Data Access, Local Connectivity and Agency Services.
Scope of supply for Warrington Borough Council includes assisting with the design, development, delivery and on-going management of the Council’s networking infrastructure and services.
In addition to a new core Wide Area Network service TNP will provide other associated networking technology and services to implement and transition a resilient and sustainable network which meets national standards and ensures a high level of security. The ultimate aim is to create an integrated service that is future proof to meet the Council’s current and future networking requirements.
TNP’s unique and innovative solution offers Warrington the opportunity to own and operate a carrier-class fully integrated telecoms network. It will also provide a range of associated services for the Council, including technical, commercial and training support, and billing management.
The fact that TNP is not restricted to a single technology or technique means it is able to reduce costs, improve service and offer greater flexibility.
The infrastructure proposed by TNP is based on the provision of a new core LLU (local loop unbundled telephone exchange) network using TNP’s Communications Provider status to procure and manage network carrier facilities not normally available to local authority and enterprise customers. Carrier-to-carrier pricing and products equip the Council to reduce costs whilst retaining flexibility and scalability.
Access to the national infrastructure of the telephone exchange network will allow the Council to consolidate its network (regardless of last mile vendor) around secure, static points-of-presence which can remain fixed as the network evolves. This offers the Council flexibility in its estate strategy to easily accommodate personnel relocation, building acquisition and other changes without full redesign of network topology. Council sponsored and affiliated organisations will also benefit from transparent access to networking based services.
Implementation of the solution is undertaken as a turnkey project-managed solution by TNP’s Prince2 and MSP accredited team. This keeps the Council fully aware of the network deployment whilst releasing Council ICT staff for other critical tasks. Inherent in the TNP implementation and ongoing service management is skills transfer to the Council’s team, augmenting and updating their networking skills plus business and procedural expertise.
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Network Services framework agreement (RM1045) is used across the UK public sector including central government, local government, health, education and not-for-profit organisations. It is designed to deliver savings, choice and flexibility for publicly funded organisations, whilst ensuring compliance with the wider government technology strategy.