UNDERSTANDING SOLUTIONS
Consultancy and support services for cloud planning, enablement and migration.
By accessing an extensive network of skilled, certified technical associates with relevant design and development skills, Understanding Recruitment provides buyers with on-demand access to the right knowledge, experience and project methodologies to deliver a broad range of outcomes related to cloud software and architecture.
Features
- Outcome-based work package delivery
- Centralised project support across all cloud planning and delivery workstreams
- Access to a wide network of associate skills
- Augmenting our specialist consultants into your teams
- Knowledge transfer across internal staff
- Design-led articulation of current and target delivery models
- Ability to scale ‘squads’ within 72 hours
- Structured project review processes to guarantee operational readiness
- Neutral vendor supplier management & assurance for larger programmes
- Ability to match team culture to customer's delivery environment
Benefits
- Reduces and removes risk of project over-spend
- Independent monitoring of all project outcomes drives improvement
- Rapid deployment of skilled teams/squads with sector specific expertise
- Improves user and stakeholder experiences
- Consequences of operational deployment clearly understood by all parties
- Greater assurance of supplier expertise, capacity and capability
- Improved partnering behaviours with internal teams
- Upskilling internal team members
- Ability to react via the rapid increase of service
Pricing
£485.00 to £2,000.00 a person a day
Service documents
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 trankin@understandingsolutions.com.
Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.
Framework
G-Cloud 14
Service ID
6 8 3 0 0 4 4 9 5 6 1 3 4 9 5
Contact
UNDERSTANDING SOLUTIONS
Tom Rankin
Telephone: 01727 809404
Email: trankin@understandingsolutions.com
Planning
- Planning service
- Yes
- How the planning service works
-
How the planning service works
Our network of architects, Software Engineers, PMs and BAs work across multiple sectors, meaning we are able to identify the right resources to easily establish programme terms of reference for all stakeholders - both internal and external to the buyer organisation. Our expert teams are matched to each project based on their ability to assimilate organisational culture and working practices. This means that we can ensure buyers are asking the right questions before we work together to determine the answers: the 'how', the 'what' and - most importantly - the 'why' for each programme. Our extensive access to technical skills across development, engineering, testing and security means we can embed practical thinking into our extensive discovery and design phase. We can support all aspects of planning from business case development, through platform assessment and migration strategies to comprehensive testing plans and ongoing assurance of data security. - 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
- Our extensive network of certified and experienced architects, software engineers and service design consultants will help buyers complete seamless migrations to new cloud service solutions. We build the right teams for each deployment; with an emphasis on proven technical knowledge and expertise on comparable migration projects (taking into account services, hosting arrangement, user profiles etc.). All project deliverables are monitored and reported by our central programme office through our custom build technology platform. We can also provide an extensive vendor management service for existing/ongoing programmes running over budget.
- Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services
- No
Quality assurance and performance testing
- Quality assurance and performance testing service
- Yes
- How the quality assurance and performance testing works
- Using our service, buyers can access a broad range of quality assurance and testing skills that can be matched to any cloud development or change programme. Our teams will: - Establish extensive testing plans based on the buyer's preferred methodology and covering all elements of service testing (code quality, functional testing, load testing, user testing and security/penetration); - Provide extensive guidance and documentation to support testing strategies and sign-off decisions; - Identify and brief user groups to get the most out of UAT; and - Build test environments for staging system changes or migrations. Test teams will consist of certified (e.g. ISTQB) testers and test managers. We can also assign security experts to ensure any deployment or change includes a comprehensive plan to continuously monitor and address potential vulnerabilities.
Security testing
- Security services
- Yes
- Security services type
-
- Security strategy
- Security risk management
- Security design
- Cyber security consultancy
Ongoing support
- Ongoing support service
- No
Service scope
- Service constraints
- Unless additional support services have been established as part of a specific statement of work, our central project office support will only be available during normal business hours.
User support
- Email or online ticketing support
- No
- Phone support
- Yes
- Phone support availability
- 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
- Web chat support
- No
- Support levels
-
Our project office provides 1st line support for general programme queries and will also provide updates to all project documentation. Queries will be responded to within 30 minutes during ordinary office hours.
Technical/cloud support engineers may be deployed within the squad (at cost) for any specific work package.
Resellers
- Supplier type
- Not a reseller
Staff security
- Staff security clearance
- Conforms to BS7858:2019
- Government security clearance
- Up to Security Clearance (SC)
Standards and certifications
- ISO/IEC 27001 certification
- No
- ISO 28000:2007 certification
- No
- CSA STAR certification
- No
- PCI certification
- No
- Cyber essentials
- Yes
- Cyber essentials plus
- No
- Other security certifications
- No
Social Value
- Social Value
-
Social Value
- Fighting climate change
- Tackling economic inequality
- Wellbeing
Fighting climate change
Our commitment to combating climate change is central to our mission of securing a sustainable future. We actively implement sustainable practices and advocate for environmental protection to reduce our footprint and address the impacts of global warming.
Our Environmental Sustainability initiatives are designed to enhance energy efficiency and promote eco-friendly practices across all areas of operation. We've introduced automated sensor-based lighting systems to cut energy use and adopted a work-from-home policy to decrease emissions from commuting. Additionally, we contribute to the greening of our planet by planting a tree for every placement made by our business. We engage our team in environmental conservation through regular training and resources, encouraging them to adopt sustainable habits both professionally and personally. Our efforts extend beyond our immediate operations, involving community clean-up events and advocating for climate-positive policies through strategic partnerships with environmental organisations.
Partnering with us ensures that your project benefits from environmental stewardship. We can help reduce your operational emissions and enhance your corporate social responsibility profile through proven strategies such as energy-saving technologies and waste reduction practices. Our community engagement initiatives, can extend your environmental impact and foster greater community goodwill.Tackling economic inequality
In our commitment to sustainable development, we prioritise economic equality as part of our social impact framework. Focusing on career development especially, our initiatives aim to empower diverse individuals by expanding professional growth opportunities.
We have developed impactful Career Development programmes, leveraging our extensive network to offer mentorship and skill enhancement. Our initiatives include collaborations with local schools and a Princess Trust awarded graduate scheme to provide practical experience and career guidance to students and recent graduates. Through our external ‘UR WISE’ mentorship program, we support women in science and engineering, aiming to decrease gender disparities in tech and foster an inclusive economy. Additionally, we provide personal development grants to employees for continuing professional development (CPD), reinforcing our commitment to lifelong learning.
Partnering with us ensures access to our proven strategies and consulting for boosting economic participation and resilience. We can help optimise operations, mitigate risks, and enhance sustainability to improve market competitiveness. Our resources include free community-accessible CV development, promoting broader employment opportunities. Through strategic collaboration, we enhance workforce readiness and contribute to a more equitable economic landscape.Wellbeing
Prioritising employee wellbeing is at the heart of our approach to creating a productive and engaged workforce. We believe that a healthy team is fundamental to achieving long-term success and sustainability. Our comprehensive wellbeing programs aim to support both the physical and mental health of our employees, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Our initiatives focus on enhancing employee health and fostering a positive work-life balance. We provide subsidized gym memberships and organise team challenges to encourage physical activity, boosting overall health. Recognising the importance of mental wellness, we offer all employees a free subscription to the Calm App for stress management and mindfulness practice. Additionally, we have trained designated Mental Health First Aiders to offer confidential support to colleagues facing personal or professional challenges. To promote work-life balance, we implement flexible working hours, offer unlimited holiday, and provide extended two-hour lunches, allowing employees ample time to rest and engage in personal activities. Long-serving employees are also eligible for sabbaticals, recognising their dedication and providing them with an opportunity for extended rest and personal growth.
By partnering with us, you gain access to a workforce that is not only highly skilled but also exceptionally well-supported and motivated. We aim for a holistic approach to employee wellbeing that translates into elevated performance.
Pricing
- Price
- £485.00 to £2,000.00 a person a day
- Discount for educational organisations
- No
Service documents
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 trankin@understandingsolutions.com.
Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.