Version 1 Solutions Limited

User Research for Cloud Services

Version 1’s experienced Design team is made up of user research, user experience, interaction design, product design, and business analysis professionals. Our user researchers will plan, design and conduct qualitative and quantitative research to help understand the user journeys and people involved in or affected by your cloud services.

Features

  • Design and deliver evidence-based user research to support cloud transformation
  • Identify user needs, motivations and pain points
  • Qualitative methods including interviews, workshops, usability testing, ethnographic research
  • Quantitative methods including surveys, A/B testing, analytics
  • Test the intuitiveness, ease-of-use and effectiveness of cloud-based digital services
  • Personas/user profiles and empathy mapping for internal/citizen-facing users
  • User journey and service mapping to understand user’s as is
  • Carry out analysis of research evidence and/or data
  • Technical documentation and communicate actionable research insights and recommendations
  • Translate research into features and user stories for delivery teams

Benefits

  • Oversight from the Version 1 Design Centre of Excellence
  • Independent advice and guidance, trained GDS assessors
  • Experienced SC cleared consultants with industry specific knowledge
  • Balance business and user needs to create great cloud services/products
  • Enhance current processes with user centred approach, team efficiencies
  • Design services that meet best practice GDS, CDDO standards
  • Evidence-based decision-making to support cloud and digital transformation
  • Actionable insights and recommendations
  • User research integrated into service and interaction design and policy
  • Improve user journeys, usability, and user satisfaction

Pricing

£140 to £1,570 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 tendernotices@version1.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 13

Service ID

7 6 2 0 1 4 1 6 7 2 4 1 5 4 6

Contact

Version 1 Solutions Limited Emma Olsen
Telephone: +44 203 859 4790
Email: tendernotices@version1.com

Planning

Planning service
Yes
How the planning service works
Version 1 provides a full range of Planning Support services covering all elements across Cloud Strategy, Technical Architecture Design, Business Requirements Analysis, Management and Operations Support, Cloud Hosing, Cloud Security, and Licence Compliance
During on-boarding Version 1 will help the customer to understand the organisational and business impact the cloud will have on their enterprise and build solutions to adjust to the new cloud paradigm. Our consultants are always up to speed on innovation and change in the cloud market through our cloud partnerships with Microsoft, AWS and Oracle. We bring this knowledge to the engagement, helping clients to accelerate their cloud strategy. Blockers and challenges to cloud adoption are addressed to ensure compliance with legal, information security, and regulatory requirements. Using the Version 1 Cloud Reference Architecture, our team can work with the client application delivery teams to analyse business requirements and architect the “future state” application and cloud architecture, addressing the technical feasibility and challenges of moving IT Service delivery to the cloud
Planning service works with specific services
Yes
Hosting or software services the planning service works with
  • MS SharePoint
  • Microsoft Solutions and MS Azure
  • Oracle E-Business Solutions
  • Oracle Fusion
  • Oracle Cloud Services
  • Amazon Cloud Services

Training

Training service provided
Yes
How the training service works
A critical aspect of any project is the need to conduct comprehensive training for the users in the use of the application. Version 1 is committed to conducting professional training to ensure that users of the system can gain maximum benefit from using it. Version 1 normally propose a ‘train the trainer’ approach to user training be adopted, integrated with the testing and overall acceptance phase of the project. This requires a difference in approach from standard training courses, as users need to be trained in both the application and in how to pass this on to their colleagues. The Super Users will be trained in the use of the system and will then be responsible for training their colleagues. Version1 provides full knowledge transfer to Buyer teams as part of our service provision. Our Upskilling approach uses the 70-20-10 learning approach: 70% Learning by Doing: learn on-the-job engaging in project activities, 20% Learn Through Relationships: practical mentoring, coaching, pairing, and shadowing sessions, 10% Learn through Formal Training. impactful classroom, workshop and online learning across all the G-Cloud capabilities.
Training is tied to specific services
Yes
Services the training service works with
  • MS SharePoint
  • Microsoft Solutions
  • Oracle E-Business Solutions
  • Oracle Fusion
  • Amazon Cloud Hosting
  • All Version 1 G-Cloud Services

Setup and migration

Setup or migration service available
Yes
How the setup or migration service works
Version 1 can provide strategic consultancy on cloud migration. The Version 1 cloud adoption approach has three main phases, we help the customer define a roadmap, we’ll design a reference architecture that fits for the customers’ needs and then use that reference architecture to help the customer adopt the cloud and manage it going forward. During all three phases Version 1 help the customer to understand the organisational and business impact the cloud will have on their enterprise and build solutions to adjust to the new cloud paradigm. We have adapted this general approach to a number of specific Public Sector client engagements, helping organisations achieve typical cloud benefits such as

• Reduction of bottlenecks in environment provisioning
• Reduce infrastructure team costs/ resource drain in building environments
• Reduce quality risks
• Reduce IT costs through pay-as-you-go model
• Enhance productivity of IT department
• Obtain long-term benefits of PaaS
For clients who already make use of cloud services Version 1 can provide ongoing consultancy – ensuring benefits are being achieved and advising on the relative merits of different Cloud platforms – we are accredited consultants for Amazon, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud platforms
Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services
Yes
List of supported services
  • MS SharePoint
  • Microsoft Solutions and MS Azure
  • Oracle E-Business Solutions
  • Oracle Fusion
  • Oracle Cloud Services
  • Amazon Cloud Services

Quality assurance and performance testing

Quality assurance and performance testing service
Yes
How the quality assurance and performance testing works
Quality is an integral part of the Version 1 Project Management methodology. It is through our approach to quality that we can ensure that the project’s products will meet the customer’s expectations and that the outcomes of using the products will generate the expected benefits. As part of any On-boarding plan, and also subsequent service changes, Version 1 will agree and document a Test Plan with the client which will detail the following: • Definition of Test Phases (& definition of Test Bed) • Scope of Testing to be undertaken within each Test Phase • Non- functional testing including performance • Test Lifecycle and Execution Procedures • Test Inputs & Outputs for each test Phase • Data Pre-Requisites & Data Issues • Bug Raising, Resolution & Management The following distinct test phases are typically undertaken depending on project size and complexity considerations: • Application Testing (Including Design Standards Testing) • Functional & Business Logic Testing • Data Migration Testing • Integration Testing • Performance Testing • Regression Testing • Pre UAT Deployment Testing

Security testing

Security services
Yes
Security services type
Security design

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
Version 1 has over 20 years’ experience in the successful delivery of managed services and are a certified ISO20000, ISO27001, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ITILv4 aligned Managed Services Provider (MSP). We fully embrace best practices in service management and information security and empower our highly skilled consultants to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions to our customers. Indeed, innovation and business value are 2 of the 6 key pillars underpinning our next-generation managed service offering ASPIRE – to Automate, Streamline, Protect, Innovate, Realise Business Value and Evolve. ASPIRE goes beyond ‘keeping the lights on’. We have shifted the focus from an isolated Service Level Agreement (SLA) to the added introduction of a Value Level Agreement (VLA), with the purpose of unlocking hidden value in our customers’ estates. Delivered together, the ASPIRE model enables our customers to achieve better results and real business benefit.
Our aim at Version1 is to be a trusted partner to our customers, and to prove that IT can make a real difference to their businesses. Version 1 has world-class customer retention and satisfaction scores which we have achieved through a managed service offering that drives continuous service improvements and realisation of business benefit through collaborative partner relationships

Service scope

Service constraints
No service constraints

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Email or online ticketing
Support response times
Standard SLA covers Office Hours:
1 hour priority calls
4 hour response standard
Can be tailored to customer requirement including weekend cover
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
24 hours, 7 days a week
Web chat support
No
Support levels
Version1 provide service tiers for our Managed Service Models, each tier provides Buyers with access to specific assistance and benefits, allowing you to choose the services best suited to your needs. Essentials, Advanced and Premier levels as detailed in the attached Service Definition Document. The Advanced (or Silver) level provides Normal Office Hours and 24/7 options. For added flexibility, we do not force clients into a ‘one-size-fits-all’ service and price and offer a ‘mix-and-match’ approach allowing you to operate a cost and service-optimised portfolio, applying and apply the right tier to the appropriate right business applications, or to production and non-production workloads. Cost details are provided in the pricing document.
Version 1 has an ITIL based Service Governance structure in place for each client to ensure SLAs are met and the overall support service is managed in a responsive, customer-focused manner. The focus of the service governance will be a regular Service Management Board or Service Review Meeting attended by key stakeholders. Each managed service client is assigned a Service Manager to co-ordinate their service provision and ensure customer satisfaction levels are maintained.

Resellers

Supplier type
Reseller providing extra features and support
Organisation whose services are being resold
Microsoft, Oracle

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
Certification Europe
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
20/04/2019
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
All our Cloud Support Services are covered by the ISO 27001 Certification
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

Fighting climate change

Fighting climate change

Version1 will deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of our contracts. We are a Carbon Neutral company and have committed to be Carbon Net Zero by 2025; compliant with (PPN) 06/21 with a published CRP, ISO14001 certified and an SECR. We have signed the business ambition for 1.5 °C commitment letter to SBTi and will reduce emissions in line with science-based targets. All results are reported annually via the Carbon Disclosure Project framework.
Our plan to support environmental protection and improvement includes:
• A steering group delivering environmental initiatives through our Environmental, Social, and (Corporate) Governance (ESG) programme.
• A dedicated Sustainability Manager to manage our Carbon agenda.
• An internal sustainability taskforce driving innovation with customers, identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions to fight climate change. As an example; at ICBF, we used blockchain to understand which species of herd emit the most greenhouse gases.
• Introduce a Responsible Procurement Policy, ensuring full supply chain. alignment with all our suppliers.
• Mobilize, influence, and empower staff to halve their carbon footprint by 2025.
• Proactively work with suppliers/partners to decarbonise processes.
Covid-19 recovery

Covid-19 recovery

Version1 has embraced our social obligation to support local communities to manage and recover from the impact of COVID-19.
Version1 has designed and delivered digital and employability skills for people impacted by COVID-19 through:
• Recognising the impact of COVID-19 on young people aged 16-24, we have prioritised our education engagement activities. Working remotely and within restrictions to deliver work placements, and inviting students to participate in our career skills programme for IT.
• Supporting people 75+ to use the internet safely with confidence.
• Helping young people affected by COVID manage their online profile responsibly
• For third sector workers, we improved their digital skills using Microsoft Office and free online tools
Initially implemented during lockdown in 2020 and still active at present, Version1 support our customers, communities, partners, and supply chain with both the Covid Remote Working Guide, providing advice on technology, security, culture, and management practices to encourage organisations to embrace remote working. We’ve also been proponents of how future success requires a business to embrace being a naturally digital workplace.
Version1 supported our team with paid COVID leave, remote health and wellbeing initiatives to support their physical and mental health through the pandemic. To share our learnings, we included health and wellbeing in our Covid Remote Working Guide with advice on ensuring the social, physical and mental wellbeing of workers affected by COVID-19.
Version1 have invested more than £1M to support our teams through our Welltech Framework, where they can order the equipment, they need to work in comfort from home. We are continuing to offer remote and flexible working options where practical, and provide our returning to work team with guidance to ensure they are able to maintain a clean workspace and social distancing.
Tackling economic inequality

Tackling economic inequality

Version1 values the importance of SMEs and VCSEs play in our supply chain. Our organisation manages 80+ supplier/partner relationships including SMEs/Start-ups and proactively engages with tech communities, industry events/conferences, and customers to identify new partners to extend this network. We support entrepreneurship through maintaining a diverse supply chain as well as partnering and collaboration with Social Enterprise organisations. We use ISO20000 accredited supply chain management processes consistent with government guidelines and Social Value objectives.
Version1 actively engage with local communities, creating employment, businesses, skills and training opportunities relevant to the contract through:
• Actively working with economically isolated people or deprived areas through our “Insights” Programme to encourage 16–24-year-olds to consider roles in high growth sectors i.e. STEM
• Commitment to employ 165 people through digital academies by 2024, open to anyone with any degree background or level 4/5 STEM qualification
• Pilot initiatives to attract more women into tech by creating an academy specifically for women returning to work or changing career
• Bespoke programmes to access underserved communities, such as people living with a disability and care leavers
• We commit to including SMEs (where possible) in Call-Off Contracts, engaging in pre-contract activities
Equal opportunity

Equal opportunity

A Great Place to Work since 2011, Version1 commits to a transparent, accountable, inclusive culture for all our employees, ensuring all are well rewarded, motivated, and continuously developed. Demonstrated by a recent employee survey in that 93% of people agree are treated fairly.

Version1 is a certified Disability Confident Committed employer. We have designed and developed services for vulnerable users and users with Assisted Digital and Accessibility requirements for our Public Sector customers. This has included understanding offline options, screen reader requirements, multiple language requirements, those with poor or no internet connectivity, and people with expert, low or no digital skills aligned to Gov.UK’s digital inclusion scale, GDS/CDDO, and the Technology Code of Practice.

We are undertaking initiatives in communities to inspire people living with a disability to consider a career in IT. We are working with a foundation that improves employability outcomes and promotes independence for people who are neurodiverse, living with a physical disability, cognitive disability, or acquired injury. Also, we are piloting a partnership with a VCSE that specialise in the recruitment of people living with a disability, using that initiative to identify and inform our future accessibility strategy within recruitment.

Our award-winning Diversity Team, is committed to promoting diversity, driving initiatives (e.g. Gender Pay equality, International Women/Men’s Days, Pride, Cultural Diversity), e.g. our startswithaname.net campaign, developed with customers, has an aggregated membership of 40,000+.

Version1 is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our business or any of our supply chains.
Wellbeing

Wellbeing

At Version1 we want our employees and community to be healthy and live well. We strive to promote a culture of positive health and wellbeing daily and we invest in a strong culture of wellness through programmes, activities, and resources. Version1 is a certified Healthy Place to Work and were recently listed as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Wellbeing 2022 at the Great Place to Work awards.

Our Health & Wellbeing Strategy is shaped by a network of wellbeing champions from across Version1 who plan events and initiatives. Version1’s ‘Wellbeing Framework’ ensures that employees’ financial, emotional, and physical needs are supported through our investment in a variety of programmes/resources. The 5 pillars of our holistic Wellbeing model include Sense of Purpose, Financial Management, Physical Health, Mental Wellbeing and Social Connections.

All wellbeing training, webinars and supporting materials are available on our Health & Wellbeing site for access anytime.
Physical Health: we aim to promote positive physical health through a variety of initiatives/activities such as Marathon teams and 5-a-side football and we also aim to ensure our employees are working in a healthy and safe work environment. As an example, we have a “Step Challenge” for all employees each year, easily clocking up over 1m steps.
Mental Wellbeing: Our mental wellbeing pillar focuses on mental health, mindfulness, self-confidence, stress management/ resilience and maintaining a growth mindset. We not only want our employees to be getting by we want them to have a positive and growth mindset as they strive to deliver excellence at work.

Pricing

Price
£140 to £1,570 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 tendernotices@version1.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.