MINDCRAFT LIMITED

Azure Cloud Planning and Strategy

We help you plan and execute your cloud migration journey with Azure. We assess your current state, define your goals and roadmap, and design your optimal cloud architecture. We also provide guidance on governance, security, cost optimisation, and best practices for Azure adoption.

Features

• Cloud Adoption planning and strategy to identify cloud adoption requirement
• Action planning, stakeholder mapping, SLAs and identify workload
• Best Practice cloud adoption and security services
• Cloud governance, skills gap analysis, RACI, Cloud Centre of Excellence
• Monitoring, SIEM, Sentinel, Advanced threat protection, Microsoft Defender for cloud
• Certified Microsoft Azure security engineers
• Secure cloud platform implementation and security audit services.
• Comprehensive compliance with global and local regulations
• Cost optimisation analysis for efficient resource utilisation
• Disaster recovery planning with automated backups.

Benefits

• Enhanced scalability adapts to growth, avoiding unnecessary infrastructure investments
• Streamlined migration minimises downtime, ensures smooth transition to Azure cloud
• Customised architecture tailored to meet unique business operational requirements
• Security assessment identifies vulnerabilities, protects against data breaches, enhances safety
• Performance tuning maximizes efficiency, reduces latency, improves user experience
• Continuous monitoring detects issues early, maintains system integrity, prevents failures
• Strategic advisory offers expert insights, aids long-term business technology planning
• Integration support facilitates seamless connectivity with existing enterprise applications
• Training resources empower teams, elevate Azure platform knowledge, skills
• Guidance promotes sustainability, reduces carbon footprint, supports eco-initiatives.

£250 to £1,670 a unit a day

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  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 angus@mindcraft.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

380730390565834

Contact

Angus Walker
07887714314
angus@mindcraft.co.uk

Planning

• Planning service: Yes
• How the planning service works: Planning services provided using Microsoft best practices, templates and tools. We would guide the customer through strategy and planning phases. Planning is for Microsoft Azure Cloud infrastructure hosting using best practices from the Cloud Adoption Framework for Microsoft Azure developed by Microsoft and it’s partners.
• Planning service works with specific services: Yes
• Hosting or software services the planning service works with: Microsoft Azure

Training

• Training service provided: Yes
• How the training service works: We train our customers on how best to use and stay secure and up to date.; We provide online workshops or in person as required.
• Training is tied to specific services: Yes
• Services the training service works with: Microsoft Azure Hosting

Setup and migration

• Setup or migration service available: Yes
• How the setup or migration service works: Our services help customers migrate to the Cloud and between cloud vendors and services. This can be from another cloud or even a different Azure tenant. We would guide clients to migrate using a standard best practice and structured approach. This includes an inventory assessment followed by analysis, migration and testing.
• 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: We have standard testing and checklist we use at the end of a deployment.; Buyers can test themselves

Security testing

• Security services: Yes
• Security services type:
  • Security strategy
  • Security design
  • Cyber security consultancy
  • Security audit services

Ongoing support

• Ongoing support service: Yes
• Types of service supported:
  • Buyer hosting or software
  • Hosting or software provided by your organisation
  • Hosting or software provided by a third-party organisation
• How the support service works: We support cloud hosting within Microsoft Azure.; Azure Infrastructure services; We respond to questions, we review the platform, compliance center, security scores and stay up to date.

Service scope

• Service constraints: None

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: Email, phone, ticketing and web chat support is provided from Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 and questions will be acknowledged or responded to within 4 hours.; ; Users can view their own tickets if requested. Phone support is available during office hours.; Outside of these hours, questions will be answered within 24 hours.; A cloud support engineer will be allocated.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: No
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: Web chat
• Web chat support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support accessibility standard: None or don’t know
• How the web chat support is accessible: Accessibility standards are agreed per client requirements.
• Web chat accessibility testing: Not applicable
• Support levels: Email, phone, ticketing and web chat support is provided from Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 and questions will be acknowledged or responded to within 4 hours.; ; Users can view their own tickets if requested. Phone support is available during office hours.; Outside of these hours, questions will be answered within 24 hours.; A cloud support engineer will be allocated.; Support costs are from £2,000 per month depending on infrastructure that requires supporting.

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller providing extra features and support
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Microsoft Azure and M365, Ingram Micro

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Up to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: Peers Quality Assurance Limited
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 04/12/2023
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: All services provided by MindCraft are in scope of ISO27001
• 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

  MindCraft contributes to UK’s net zero targets and combating climate change by adopting sustainable practices, woven into the fabric of our operations. It supports both short term and longer term sustainability goals. We do this by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving resilience and adaptation to climate impacts, and promoting environmental sustainability.; Current initiatives include:; We have minimised our carbon footprint by adopting a remote work model for all employees, significantly reducing the need for commuting. We use cloud-based platforms, video conferencing, and remote working tools to minimise travel and energy consumption.; MindCraft supports the use of electric vehicles, further cutting down on emissions related to transportation.; One of our remote offices are powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage solutions, promoting the use of renewable energy.; Under our ISO27001 certification, our processes and information systems are required to support sustainability.; Future commitments:; We will actively seek opportunities to support local environmental projects in collaboration with our clients through volunteer support and promotion and our team will be given time to support this.; Donations to Cool Earth: MindCraft works with partners to support contributions to the Cool Earth charity, aiding in the protection of our planet’s ecosystems.; A percentage of our partners’ profits is allocated to causes that protect the environment, demonstrating our investment in the planet’s future.; Our efforts reflect our belief that technology and consultancy can be forces for good, leading the way in the fight against climate change.

  Covid-19 recovery

  We help our clients navigate the challenges and opportunities of the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath. For example, we design and implement digital solutions that enable remote working, online service delivery, and data-driven decision making. ; ; We also help our clients adapt to changing customer needs, market conditions, and regulatory frameworks. We use our experience and knowledge of the public sector to deliver solutions that are aligned with the government's priorities and policies for Covid-19 recovery.; ; One of MindCraft’s directors is a board member and trustee for a local charity, which tackles loneliness and social isolation in the care sector, a sector hugely impacted by Covid-19. Research and academic evidence shows that loneliness among elderly care home residents, which the charity supports, has become more acute since the pandemic. MindCraft also supports this charity financially.

  Tackling economic inequality

  MindCraft addresses economic inequality through its business practices and community engagement in a number of different ways.; We offer roles to a diverse candidates, including students and multi-nationals. ; ; We actively engage with representations from Armed Forces Veterans groups encouraging veterans into new careers to encourage them to consider roles at Mindcraft, from IT technician to cyber security roles.; ; For each contract, MindCraft will support two career fairs each academic year in areas where clients need to recruit into their projects. ; Professional development: We are committed to the professional growth of our team. We ensure all our team are ITIL certified, to ensure that employees, partners, and contractors offer a consistent and high level of service delivery. We also support our team to achieve Microsoft qualifications. Our training log is a testament to our dedication to continuous learning and skill enhancement. Key partners also train all employees to Microsoft Azure Cloud Certifications to ensures a knowledgeable workforce capable of delivering consistent, high-quality services.; Educational outreach: MindCraft actively engages with schools and colleges, creating programmes that inspire and guide a diverse range of school leavers and students towards digital careers. By offering opportunities and support, we help bridge the educational gap, fostering economic mobility.; Career fairs and STEM advocacy: We support career fairs and collaborate with regional careers officers to promote STEM subjects. Our campaign provides advice and encouragement for apprenticeships and higher education, targeting areas where economic inequality is most prevalent such as in the south west.; We also support a college to provide opportunities for a charity providing mentoring and work experience opportunities for young women to start careers in cyber security.

  Equal opportunity

  MindCraft is committed to fostering equality and diversity, which is a cornerstone of how we work. Our approach to equality is multifaceted, encompassing employment practices, community engagement, and leadership representation.; Diverse employment practices: We actively seek a diverse range of candidates, including students and multinational individuals, to create a workforce that reflects our sector and our clients. For instance, we employ a PhD student from Bristol University as a Data Scientist, offering the flexibility needed to balance academic research with practical client solutions.; Work experience opportunities: MindCraft offers work experience placements to local students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing insights into digital careers and opening doors to future employment opportunities.; Support for veterans: MindCraft recognises the valuable skills and experiences that Armed Forces veterans bring to the civilian workforce. Supporting a large scale programme to find veterans’ new careers, we engage with veterans’ groups to provide pathways into new careers within our company and our partners’, ranging from apprentices, IT technician to cybersecurity roles, ensuring that their transition is both smooth and rewarding.; Local community engagement: Our commitment extends to local communities, where we collaborate with schools and colleges to develop career days and work experience opportunities. This initiative is particularly focused on school leavers and apprentices who opt for a different path from university, thereby promoting alternative routes to professional success.; Inclusive leadership: We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive workplace that not only welcomes but also celebrates diversity. Our team is multi-ethnic, and we place a strong emphasis on gender equality, with women holding 50% of the shares and being integral to our Senior Leadership Team (SLT).; Through these practices, we can deliver more innovative, effective, and empathetic solutions to our clients, while contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society.

  Wellbeing

  MindCraft prioritises the health and wellbeing of our team, clients, and community. One of the three core pillars of our businesses is ‘an excellent company culture’ that supports holistic wellbeing. We do this by:; Employee Wellbeing; All our team have objectives, which support a positive company culture, alongside health and wellbeing.; We actively promote the health and wellbeing agenda through regular team meetings and quarterly away days, providing opportunities for team-building, professional development and rejuvenation.; All our teams’ objectives are aligned to the pillar of cultural excellence and feature work designed to promote health, wellbeing and a positive company culture.; We have a strong sense of team and actively promote the health and wellbeing agenda through fortnightly all team meetings and quarterly away days, offering a chance to escape the day job and focus of team-building. ; Alongside some of the partners we work alongside, we offer employees a private medical scheme, including mental health support and access to private GPs. This also includes regular information on physical and mental wellbeing.; We offer opportunities to all colleagues to undertake first aid and mental health training.; ; Client wellbeing; Our digital solutions prioritise user experience, ensuring accessibility and ease of use.; We deliver excellent training and engagement programmes for clients, empowering them to navigate new systems confidently, reducing anxiety around technology adoption.; Community Wellbeing; Directors contribute offer voluntary services to non-profits.; Our cyber and digital workshops empower individuals to stay safe online. We also engage with educational establishments to build awareness of digital career opportunities.; Environmental Wellbeing; We operate on a paperless policy and encourage sustainability and energy-efficient practices.; Under this framework, we are committing to enhancing client wellbeing by offering career mentoring. Our team will provide monthly sessions over a six-month period, setting clear goals and objectives to mentees as needed.

Pricing

• Price: £250 to £1,670 a unit a day
• Discount for educational organisations: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  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 angus@mindcraft.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.