Simpson Associates Information Services Limited

Microsoft Data & Analytics Cloud Services for Local Government and Central Government

Simpson Associates work with Local Government, Central Government, Devolved Government to help them overcome their data challenges. We can implement a range of data and analytical and advanced analytics solutions using the Microsoft Azure Cloud Data Platform, Power BI, Machine Learning, Data Governance (Purview), Single View of Citizen and Family

Features

• Data Strategy, Data Assessment, Data Maturity, Roadmap, Support, Managed Service
• Data Platform, Cloud Infrastructure & Architecture, Security, Connectivity, Landing Zones
• Data Lakehouse/Warehouse/Lake – MDM, Data Quality, Data Matching
• Data Governance, management, cleansing, Catalog, Lineage (Purview, Unity Catalog)
• Power BI Embedded, Paginated reports, OpenAi, Machine Learning, Data Science
• Application Development, Power Platform, Power Apps, Web Apps, App Modernisation
• End user training, skills & knowledge transfer, cultural change
• Azure Cognitive Services, Integration & Service Bus, LogicApps, CoPilot, Ai
• Fabric, Azure Databricks, Synapse, Data Factory, IBM, Denodo, SPLINK
• ETL Framework, Power BI Portal and Audit Logger, DevOps Framework

Benefits

• Reduced total cost of ownership through cloud migration
• Rapid ROI from trusted strategy, roadmap, costs, architecture, operating model
• Flexible packages on request, Capability as a Service, Managed Service
• Unlock data from siloed applications, curate data for better Ai
• Accelerate use cases eg: Exec Dashboards, Supporting Families, Safeguarding
• Designed to rapidly to scale, Enterprise Data Modelling, scalable platform
• Skills & knowledge transfer approach embedded for future self-sufficiency
• Full documentation and training, Operating Model design
• Agile based delivery, Prince 2 and Prince 2 Agile
• Proven by numerous councils, combined authorities, government departments and agencies

£600 to £1,500 a unit a day

• Education pricing available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at gcloud@simpson-associates.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

263794608837879

Contact

Alex Gill
01904 234 510
gcloud@simpson-associates.co.uk

Planning

• Planning service: Yes
• How the planning service works: Plan the implementation of a Data analytics solution.
• Planning service works with specific services: No

Training

• Training service provided: No

Setup and migration

• Setup or migration service available: Yes
• How the setup or migration service works: Allows organisations to migrate to the cloud for the delivery of management information.
• Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services: Yes
• List of supported services: Microsoft Azure

Quality assurance and performance testing

• Quality assurance and performance testing service: Yes
• How the quality assurance and performance testing works: Quality assurance is built into all of our service offerings through: ongoing project governance, oversight and supporting ceremonies, project artefacts and regular reporting via Prince2 and Prince2 Agile methodologies; built-in testing including user acceptance testing and defect resolution, peer review and collaborative development.; Edit

Security testing

• Security services: Yes
• Security services type:
  • Security strategy
  • Security risk management
  • Security design
  • Cyber security consultancy
  • Security testing
  • Security incident management
  • Security audit services
• Certified security testers: No

Ongoing support

• Ongoing support service: Yes
• Types of service supported:
  • Buyer hosting or software
  • Hosting or software provided by a third-party organisation
• How the support service works: Managed support services to support the developed solution, available at additional costs either as an annual contract or token basis.

Service scope

• Service constraints: N/A

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: 2 hours during weekdays
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: None or don’t know
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: No
• Support levels: Our help desk is available from 9:00am to 5:30pm, weekends and bank holidays excluded.; • Calls may be logged 24 hours a day and 7 days a week on our help desk portal. The response time will start from the start of the next working day.; • Calls must be logged by the customer in one of the following ways:; - Email, Telephone or Web Portal; • The call first response time will be no longer than two hours and often much quicker.; ; • Support calls will be prioritised as follows:; o Priority 1 – the system is unusable with no work around.; o Priority 2 – the system is unusable with an agreed work around or a critical error2 without a work around.; o Priority 3 – all other issues; ; • Incidents will be resolved in the following time-scales: ; o Priority 1 incidents we will endeavour to provide a fix or work around within 2 working days. ; o Priority 2 incidents we will endeavour to provide a fix or work around within 2 working days. ; o Priority 3 incidents we will endeavour to fix or find a work around within 5 working days.

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: Centre for Assessment
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 20/04/2021
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: N/A
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Other security certifications: No

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Covid-19 recovery
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  We prioritise sustainability as a guiding principle, shaping all endeavours to fight against climate change. We're committed to fostering a better future through sustainable business practices, encompassing environmental, social, and economic considerations into our service delivery. This includes promoting diversity, equity, safety, community support, ethical standards, and innovation for long-term success. We understand our responsibility to minimise our corporate carbon footprint, protect natural resources and contribute to the wellbeing of our planet for current and future generations. ; ; We strive to deliver successful projects whilst considering sustainability. Our Environmental policy will apply to all projects delivered by our organisation. In our pursuit of environmental sustainability and a healthier planet, we have put into effect multiple concepts that are embedded in our service delivery model including cloud computing, remote working and office sustainability. ; ; Our efforts to minimise environmental impacts in the areas of waste, water, energy and air quality include considering our equipment purchases, refurbishment, recycling and supply chain practices. ; ; We have committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 at the latest as pledged by our Managing Director. We are actively taking steps to achieve this aim and reduce our carbon emissions on this journey.

  Covid-19 recovery

  As local communities manage and recover from the impact of COVID-19 we have revised our approach to contract delivery and implemented activities that adapt to new ways of working. Since the pandemic we have adopted a remote work culture and our flexible working arrangements provide staff the opportunity to work flexibly and from any location (supported by modernised videoconferencing technology). Where travel is required, we advocate the use of public transport and/or car sharing. We regularly donate to foodbanks locally and nationally, particularly during school holidays in summer and winter to support those most affected. We also understand the importance of providing mental health support and sharing mental health resources to the many who were affected due to the pandemic. ; ; As a growing business we have an ambitious but realistic recruitment plan. We offer opportunities for apprenticeships, work placements and local employees in response to the business’ demand and our organic growth. For example, we have a graduate recruitment scheme and recruit 3-6 people annually to join the company and train as IT consultants. We also regularly recruit consultants at all levels.

  Tackling economic inequality

  At the heart of our organization lies a steadfast commitment to equality, driving us to implement a comprehensive strategy that addresses employment, skills, and pay disparities. We extend this pledge beyond our internal structure to encompass key subcontractors, recognizing the imperative of inclusivity throughout our operations. ; ; Our inclusive recruitment practices ensure a diverse array of candidates is considered for employment opportunities. Our skill-based assessments offer a fair and unbiased framework, evaluating individuals on merit and ability. ; ; Our strategy prioritises retention, fostering a workplace that attracts, develops, and retains talent. Structured interviews and transparent promotion processes contribute to an equitable culture, where every employee has access to growth opportunities. ; ; We champion industry placements and apprenticeships, actively supporting pathways for students. Our positive action schemes address pay grade disparities, reflecting our dedication to diversity at all levels. ; ; We’ve crafted a work environment that supports inclusivity, retention, and progression. From day one, all employees benefit from flexible working options, facilitating a balance between professional and personal life. ; ; A time-bound action plan, underpinned by continuous monitoring, ensures our workforce mirrors community diversity. We’re proactive in including women and those with protected characteristics in recruitment and promotion shortlists. ; ; Our recruitment integrates skill-based tasks and structured interviews, aligning with our ethos of fairness. Transparency is foundational, permeating our promotion, pay, and reward processes, and fostering openness and equal opportunity. ; ; Understanding the importance of flexibility, we ensure all roles are accessible from the outset, accommodating diverse needs. ; ; We maintain transparency in retention rates and conduct regular equal pay audits, underscoring our unwavering commitment to equality and fairness across the organisation.

  Equal opportunity

  We are committed to creating a workplace that maximises the potential of all our people - where everyone is valued and feels empowered to contribute to our success. Every employee has the right to be treated with respect and dignity. We have a zero-tolerance attitude to bullying, harassment or victimisation of any kind. We all have a personal responsibility to ensure that we treat others as we would like to be treated, and that our actions and interactions reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Any breach will lead to disciplinary proceedings and, if appropriate, disciplinary action. We are an ‘equal opportunities’ employer and strive to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, political or religious belief, equal pay, or pregnancy and maternity. This list is not exhaustive. We may, as part of any equal opportunities monitoring activity, request that employees or candidates complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. This will be used solely for the purpose of monitoring equal opportunities. Our recruitment selection criteria and associated procedures are frequently reviewed and updated where necessary to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.

  Wellbeing

  We have officially been named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Wellbeing (2023) by Great Place to Work®, the global authority on workplace culture. This prestigious accreditation follows a comprehensive audit of the organisation’s workplace culture, management and policies, where it excelled in creating an environment of wellbeing for its employees. ; ; The commitment of the leadership team has helped to make it a great place to work. Their compassion and commitment to the health and wellbeing of every employee is something to be celebrated and admired. ; ; We offer comprehensive benefits to all employees such as Private Medical cover (including access to Mental Health professionals), Ride to work scheme, Free Fruit in office, EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Tech Scheme (access to discounted technology), Flexible working, birthday and Christmas gifts. In addition we hold quarterly company social days to allow all employees to catch up and collaborate.

Pricing

• Price: £600 to £1,500 a unit a day
• Discount for educational organisations: Yes

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at gcloud@simpson-associates.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.