Answers and Solutions ltd

Open Source Cloud Software and Apps. A Service to identify and then install

Due to GDPR issues, Public Sector buyers have frequently had limited access to Open Source Cloud products.

This service wrap remove those barriers by securely hosting these products on G-Cloud. Once PenTest ed and licenses were obtained you could be running your department using the tools once only wished for.

Features

• Gain access to opensource applications such as this listed below
• Apps like WordPress,

Benefits

• tbc
• tbc

£2,000 to £7,500 a person a week

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 Christopher.Wainwright@letsdiscuss.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

828958595600134

Contact

Christopher Wainwright
02920733722
Christopher.Wainwright@letsdiscuss.co.uk

Planning

• Planning service: Yes
• How the planning service works: Many high VfM solutions exist from suppliers whose marketing budget does not match the famous name firms. These companies publish good software, have technical support - but unfortunately you were unable to find them. The consultancy phase includes a market survey, quick review of options for presentation. If these are suitable, a further in-depth analysis includes installing them on our Hosting Platform, subjecting them to Pen Testing and checking the availability technical support. ; ; We will conduct business analysis using techniques from Agile project Methodology such as MoSCoW [ Must have, should have, could have, Won't have] ; ; You will be able to see what they do (and don't do) before getting too committed. You can compare to other solutions, often at prices several multiples to the comparable products this service expects to uncover and implement.; ; Delivering good experiences for the final user (General Public), good efficiency for your employees and V-f-M to the taxpayer is the win-win solution everyone wants.
• Planning service works with specific services: Yes
• Hosting or software services the planning service works with:
  • This service is for use with our hosting services
  • This service available with Software listed in our Software Services
  • This service available for other Quality Checked Cloud Apps

Training

• Training service provided: Yes
• How the training service works: We provide training for the Cloud software and hosting solutions we offer. This can be online or onsite.
• Training is tied to specific services: Yes
• Services the training service works with:
  • We provide training for the Web Hosting solutions we offer.
  • We provide training for the the Cloud Products we offer.
  • With Notice and a suitable Brief, other products are possible

Setup and migration

• Setup or migration service available: Yes
• How the setup or migration service works: This needs to be tackled on a case by case basis. We would use internal staff, or external specialists as appropriate.
• Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services: Yes
• List of supported services: We can transfer services into our cloud hosting offering.

Quality assurance and performance testing

• Quality assurance and performance testing service: Yes
• How the quality assurance and performance testing works: The biggest risk to an IT system faces is long outdated software which is no longer being actively supported. We evaluate the support levels, and subject products to Pen Testing. Pen testing, although expensive, is cheaper than a dealing with a loss of data. We also review documentation quality, the reliability of existing Disaster Recovery processes.; ; The second risk comes from within the organization - via staff with high access privileges misusing that access.; ; We cannot and do not offer security services like Pen Test when military level threats are possible. The limitation of our service can be discussed in person. We have SFIA L7 people available if these higher levels are requested.

Security testing

• Security services: Yes
• Security services type:
  • Security testing
  • Other
• Other security services: PenTest capability for people we host content for.
• Certified security testers: Yes
• Security testing certifications:
  • CHECK
  • CREST
  • Other
• Other security testing certifications:
  • Tools built by ITSec Companies employing CREST and CHECK Consultants.
  • CREST and CHECK certify people, not the tools. These tools
  • Are used by our staff. Rigourous PenTesting, overseen by
  • CREST standard examiners is possible

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 provide training for the Cloud software and hosting solutions we offer. This can be online or onsite.; ; Regarding 3rd party software products, we can offer our reasoned opinion but decisions and final evaluation of all the advice from all sources will need to taken into account. Training might be available for 3rd products, taken on a case by case basis.

Service scope

• Service constraints: This service has a high consultancy element, and therefore most requirements can be met. The service has been designed to identify solutions we can host on your behalf, but may be available under the SFIA rate card scheme if you have other hosting arrangements; ; If your requirement is outside of the bundled service, it can be instructed using our SFIA rates. A minimum of 3 days work is required to initiate an assignment.

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support response times: Aim is for same day response, but we have a 48 SLA.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: None or don’t know
• Phone support: No
• Web chat support: No
• Support levels: This will be determined according to needs identified.

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: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: See Q3
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: See Q3
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: This particular service is supplier-certified. Our technical staff use an advanced PenTesting system which we licence on a volume-usage basis. This is covered by their 27001 certifications. Our system looks at the internet-facing security risks and not your department's non-internet assets and internal security. If on-site pentests are required we can only provide after discussing scope.; ; We incorporate it as an option in all our offerings, or as a standalone service. certification is revisited after each deployment.; ; This entry is for the service as a standalone service. Further certification details available on request
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: Yes
• Who accredited the PCI DSS certification: Worldpay
• PCI DSS accreditation date: 04/06/2021
• What the PCI DSS doesn’t cover: PCI DSS covers items in scope for Credit Card Processing. Other non CC aspects were/are excluded from scope.
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• 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

  Our services help climate change by reducing and where appropriate, reducing or even eliminating the volume of home-office commuting necessary. Our data-centres are powered by suppliers who use renewable energy.

  Covid-19 recovery

  Large in-person meetings by people traveling long distances carries a high risk of spreading Covid-19. Through digital communications, our services are helping towards the recovery through reducing mixing between widely spaced geographical locations.

  Tackling economic inequality

  We encourage our staff to do pro-bono work for UK-based charities because it allows them to assume high levels of responsibility and thus gain experience not easily obtained in a high-consequence workplace. Staff who are undertaking such activities are still paid a salary; this has multiple benefits. It benefits the people who use the services of the charity being supported. It also benefits the individual who can strengthen their skills in a safe environment.; ; We also employ people in the regions of the UK still affected by the post-industrial economies. We are able to redistribute economic activity and thus enhance the economic well-being of people in these economically disadvantaged areas.; ; We actively look for SME sized organisations when seeking suppliers and sub-contractors because they offer better value for money, and are usually staffed by highly motivated individuals. Contracts awarded to Answers and Solutions will help the UK Government in its drive towards its leveling up agenda.

  Equal opportunity

  Answers and Solutions are committed to equal opportunities and do not discriminate in any way. We provide opportunities for people whose family commitments make it easier for them to fit their work duties around family duties through not prescribing fixed working hours; we work to goals achieved and not the number of hours spent watching the clock. We allow staff to take extended time off during school holidays or when other caring duties require that.

  Wellbeing

  Self-fulfilled individuals will always make good employees, good employees make for conscientious staff, and that is always good for a Buyer.; ; We encourage al of our staff to develop their skills and stretch their abilities. We encourage our staff to do pro-bono work for UK based charities because it allows them to assume high levels of responsibility and thus gain experience not easily obtained in a high-consequence workplace. We pay our staff while they do such work.

Pricing

• Price: £2,000 to £7,500 a person a week
• 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 Christopher.Wainwright@letsdiscuss.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.