Clerkswell

Azure Consultancy Service

Azure consultancy services, from end to end planning, design, migration and support. Our services cover the key Azure workloads. Service may include project management, technical design and architecture, Azure cloud and hosting with support, testing, training and reporting.

Features

• Azure licencing procurement, technical architecture & consultancy
• Discovery, design and migration to Azure
• Azure Proof of Concept
• Azure implementation

Benefits

• Certified platform experts
• Rapid deployment of Azure services
• Use our established n-boarding framework
• Get the tailored Azure support you need
• Implement best practice for Azure
• Reduce costs associated with on-premise environments
• Architectural guidance and code review
• Automatic scaling to cope with high traffic volumes
• Back up and DRaaS
• Web application optimisation

£750 to £1,250 a unit a day

• Education pricing available
• Free trial 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 hello@clerkswell.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

919443592547151

Contact

Olivia Brookhouse
02076898800
hello@clerkswell.com

Service scope

• Service constraints: No
• System requirements: Microsoft Azure

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: • Urgent items- Immediate; • High items- 2 hours; • Medium- 16 hours; • Low – agreed on a case by case basis; ; • Support will be available from 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding any UK public or bank holidays).; • Support can be provided for out of hours’ deployments. These must be pre-arranged.; • Any request for services on a 24/7 basis can be provided with prior agreement on level of emergency and will be covered at a specific rate outside of this SLA.
• 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
• Onsite support: Onsite support
• Support levels: Our support offering is very flexible and completely tailored to our customers’ requirements. We have clearly delineated support levels based on the priority rating of the issues (this is decided by the customer). ; Our support costs are dictated by the hours required and are based on our standard day rate. If 24/7, weekend support, or simply an extension of our standard 9-5 support hours we will arrange this based on the individual requirement of the customer.; ; • Support will be available from 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding any UK public or bank holidays).; • Support can be provided for out of hours’ deployments. These must be pre-arranged.; • Any request for services on a 24/7 basis can be provided with prior agreement on level of emergency and will be covered at a specific rate outside of this SLA.; ; Every project has a project team composed of an Account Manager, Project Manager, Digital consultant, and Technical Lead.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: We start our projects with an onsite kick off meeting to review and interrogate your requirements in detail.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Everything which we build belongs to the user. We claim no ownership over the code or data.
• End-of-contract process: We require three months’ notice to change or end a contract and at the end of each project we provide a project handover.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: No
• API: No
• Command line interface: No

Scaling

• Scaling available: No
• Independence of resources: The Microsoft Azure infrastructure handles resource balancing. Based on the particular types of virtual machine deployed and their internal algorithms for traffic routing and site isolation, the datacentre systems Azure provide ensure that sites remain independent.
• Usage notifications: Yes
• Usage reporting: Email

Analytics

• Infrastructure or application metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Network
• Reporting types:
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports
  • Reports on request

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller providing extra features and support
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Microsoft

Staff security

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

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Managed by a third party
• Penetration testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a Tigerscheme qualified provider or a CREST-approved service provider
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v3.0
  • Physical access control, complying with SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
  • Other
• Other data at rest protection approach: Data is encrypted at rest using Bitlocker drive encryption
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
  • Hardware containing data is completely destroyed
• Equipment disposal approach: A third-party destruction service

Backup and recovery

• Backup and recovery: Yes
• What’s backed up:
  • All aspects of the system can be backed up.
  • Databases, virtual machines and file storage
• Backup controls: We agree this with our client depending on their requirements.; Any backups are performed via the Azure portal. Infrastructure level backups will be configured to run automatically, to strike a sensible balance between the costs of storage and maintenance they incur, and the client’s requirements for disaster recovery and support budgets.
• Datacentre setup: Multiple datacentres with disaster recovery
• Scheduling backups: Users schedule backups through a web interface
• Backup recovery:
  • Users can recover backups themselves, for example through a web interface
  • Users contact the support team

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • Private network or public sector network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: Microsoft’s Azure infrastructure provides at least 99.9% guarantees for the infrastructure and services it provides. The uptime guarantees are managed automatically by the Azure infrastructure. It provides automatic replication (and optionally geo-replication) of all stored data to prevent downtime from hardware failures, and the infrastructure fabric can silently switch between locations for data if issues are detected.; Services deployed using PaaS techniques can be configured to automatically swap in and out instances which are not behaving optimally. This allows a guarantee of 99.95% for availability.; Deployment via IaaS techniques, where the service is deployed into multiple “availability groups” is guaranteed to have 99.95% uptime for virtual machines.; For some Azure services, clients can opt to pay for a higher availability tier if they wish. This is commonly 99.95% but may vary depending on the services in question.; Any deployment built on top of Azure (IaaS, PaaS for Sitecore or UaaS) takes advantage of these features. However these guarantees apply to the underlying infrastructure only – the software running on top of the infrastructure (ie Sitecore or Umbraco) is not directly guaranteed by Microsoft .
• Approach to resilience: Microsoft Azure’s infrastructure has been built specifically with resilience in mind. The “Azure Fabric” services which manage the system have a variety of features built in which work to ensure that the services provided by Azure are as resilient as possible.; ; All data in Azure’s storage layer is replicated in triplicate in a data centre. This ensures that the loss of individual drives or racks does not cause the loss of data. When a deployment is configured, it is also possible to add geo-replication of data. This ensures that all data is kept in triplicate in a second physical data centre as well.; ; When infrastructure such as virtual machines is deployed, they can be configured in “availability groups” where multiple VMs serve the same site. This allows the failure of one machine to be covered by the remaining machines until errors are addressed.; ; With platform-as-a-service deployments, the individual “workers” in a deployment are effectively disposable. The infrastructure underlying the service is able to create and destroy them as necessary. This means that if a hardware or software failure causes some to stop working correctly they can be replaced from Azure’s pool of free resources automatically and quickly.
• Outage reporting: Any outages are reported via a public dashboard.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Username or password
  • Other
• Other user authentication: The Microsoft Azure service can deliver the authentication solution required for each specific engagement.
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: For Azure the roles control all aspects of the management process – what functions can be performed and what resources can be accessed for a particular subscription.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least once a year
• Management access authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
• Devices users manage the service through: Directly from any device which may also be used for normal business (for example web browsing or viewing external email)

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: User-defined
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: User-defined
• How long system logs are stored for: User-defined

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: British Assessment Bureau
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 12 April 2023
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: 3rd party tools
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: No
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Other security certifications: No

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: No
• Security governance approach: The Azure platform complies to all standards detailed within the Microsoft Security and Compliance Centre.
• Information security policies and processes: Owners are designated for all critical components. These systems and assets are fully documented and have defined security requirements around change management. These include an audit trail and a reporting structure through each business unit to the board where risks are discussed before any production changes. Employees are held accountable to breaches of these agreed procedures.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: All code in development is held securely within a version controlled source control system (Visual Studio Team Services). All code goes through an internal review process before being released to a quality assurance environment. Once there is it subjected to further review and security testing before release to the production environment.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: The product is built on the Microsoft and Azure platforms and ClerksWell actively monitors official and unofficial channels for threats to those platforms and the protocols around them. When a threat is assessed that impacts the website, patches can be deployed as soon as a mitigation is available.
• Protective monitoring type: Undisclosed
• Protective monitoring approach: Potential compromises would be detected via the built-in monitoring technology for the systems involved. Unexpected increases in load on servers, unexpected errors in log files, unexpected audit data or files on disk and site performance decreases are all indications that we would follow-up on. In all cases our response will be a detailed examination, to determine the cause, ensure we understand what follow-up is required and report back to the client. Response times will follow our agreed SLA with the client.
• Incident management type: Undisclosed
• Incident management approach: Defined processes exist for responses to outages and compromises (real or suspected). These processes are rehearsed on a regular basis. Users report incidents via a helpdesk or direct communication with a named customer services representative depending on the severity of the problem. Customer incident reports are provided via the helpdesk.

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Supplier-defined process

Separation between users

• Virtualisation technology used to keep applications and users sharing the same infrastructure apart: Yes
• Who implements virtualisation: Third-party
• Third-party virtualisation provider: Microsoft
• How shared infrastructure is kept separate: The Azure Fabric services ensure separation between tenants on their infrastructure. It uses a variety of technologies:; ; • Authentication and role-based security is required for all access to the management portal its APIs and the Azure resources you own.; ; • Data encryption keys are specific to individual Azure accounts.; ; • Networking Virtual prevents network traffic from one account reaching resources in another.; ; • Hardware Virtualisation security prevents resources running on a server from interacting.

Energy efficiency

• Energy-efficient datacentres: Yes
• Description of energy efficient datacentres: Customers may request or provide a list of Code of Conduct Practices implemented in the relevant data centre to assist in procurement of services that meet their environmental or sustainability standards.

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  ClerksWell actively contributes to the fight against climate change through a comprehensive approach that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. Our commitment extends beyond mere compliance, aiming to create a positive impact on both our organisation and the broader community. Here’s how ClerksWell champions sustainability: ; ; Collaboration with Carbon Neutral Britain: These reports guide our sustainable practices and ensure transparency. Our forward-thinking approach addresses carbon emissions across all areas, including Scopes 1, 2, and 3. ; ; Green Workplace Practices: ClerksWell maintains a green workplace by actively reducing waste, conserving energy, and minimising our environmental footprint. We continually seek innovative solutions to enhance sustainability within our office environment. ; ; Digital Agency Impact: As a digital agency, we recognise the significant impact of data servers and product development on the environment. Our partnerships play a crucial role in this regard: ; ; Microsoft Azure: Microsoft is committed to sustainable datacentres and hosting. They employ resource harvesting techniques and aim to run their datacentres on 100% renewable energy by 2025. ; ; CMS Partners: Our content management system (CMS) partners also commit to sustainability. For example carbon offsetting through projects like Ecologi, Cool Effect, and Reforestaction. ; ; In terms of our website and intranet development, ClerksWell is committed to reducing website data through various methods, including code compression, optimisation, content auditing, improved user experience (UX), search engine optimisation (SEO), and video and image compression. These efforts contribute to lowering the page and data weight of our clients’ websites and, consequently, their emissions. ; ; Regarding office policies, we adopt a “think before you print” approach to paper use. Lights are turned off every evening, and computers are powered off instead of being left on standby. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond digital practices to our everyday operations.

  Tackling economic inequality

  ClerksWell's multifaceted approach to tackling economic inequality encompasses recruitment, career development, community engagement, and talent cultivation. These efforts not only benefit the organisation but also contribute positively to society at large. ; ; ClerksWell adheres to the five foundational principles of quality work outlined in the UK government's Good Work Plan. By ensuring fair wages, job security, and a supportive work environment, ClerksWell attracts candidates from diverse backgrounds. This commitment to quality work also reduces staff turnover and fosters a motivated workforce. ; ; ClerksWell actively promotes career development within its ranks. Through mentoring programs, employees receive guidance and support to enhance their skills and advance in their roles. This investment in professional growth not only benefits individual employees but also contributes to a more skilled and capable workforce overall. ; ; Recognising the importance of addressing skills gaps, ClerksWell focuses on areas where talent shortages exist. By providing training and development opportunities in these critical fields, the company contributes to bridging the skills divide and supports economic growth. ; ; ClerksWell hosts an annual intake of school students for work experience and summer internships. By offering young people exposure to real-world work environments, the company contributes to their personal and professional development. These programs also serve as a pipeline for future talent within the organisation. ; ; ClerksWell's graduate trainee program caters to both technical and non-technical disciplines. By nurturing fresh talent, many from non-traditional STEM backgrounds, the company invests in the next generation of professionals, fostering innovation and knowledge transfer.

  Equal opportunity

  Since our inception over 25 years ago, we're proud to be breaking barriers and shaking up a predominately male-dominated industry with a team of powerful women working as web developers, tech leads, and all through different levels of management. ; ; Here are several ways in which ClerksWell actively demonstrates its dedication to being an equal opportunity employer: ; ; Equal Employment Opportunities: At ClerksWell, we firmly believe that everyone deserves an equal chance to thrive. We provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees, irrespective of factors such as race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability status, or any other legally protected basis. Our commitment ensures that all individuals have a level playing field to showcase their qualifications and abilities. ; ; Merit-Based Decisions: We evaluate qualifications, skills, performance, and achievements without bias, ensuring that each individual is assessed fairly and transparently. ; ; Advancing Social Equity: We stand firmly against injustice, bias, discrimination, and racism. Recognising our role in addressing societal inequities, ClerksWell actively seeks to make a positive impact not only within our organisation but also in the broader community. ; ; In summary, ClerksWell's commitment to equal opportunity goes beyond legal obligations. By fostering an inclusive workplace, we empower our workforce and contribute to positive societal change. ClerksWell's dedication to these principles ensures that our team members feel valued, respected, and motivated to excel.

  Wellbeing

  At ClerksWell, we understand that a vibrant and committed workforce significantly impacts overall success. Here are several strategies we employ to nurture well-being: ; ; 1. Flexible Work Arrangements: We provide flexible work hours and remote work options, allowing employees to balance professional and personal commitments. ; ; 2. Health Initiatives: always in line with the latest guidance for physical and digital workspaces. We offer the Cyclescheme Bike to Work initiative and have a walking and running club. Additionally, all permanent staff members are eligible for free private healthcare. ; ; 3. Mental Health Support: ClerksWell has a commitment to open conversations about mental health and has many years of support for UK mental health charities for example, our ongoing participation in the Samaritans ‘Brew Monday’ campaign. ; ; 4. Work-Life Balance: We actively encourage regular breaks, minimise overtime, and respect personal time, fostering a healthier work-life balance. ; ; 5. Recognition and Appreciation: Our weekly recognition program celebrates achievements, boost morale, and creates a positive atmosphere. ; ; 6. Professional Development: We believe in opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth, which contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfillment. ; ; 7. Social Engagement: Our quarterly social activities, such as painting sessions, bowling, and walking tours, bring colleagues together and enhance camaraderie. Our fundraising is also a fun way to contribute to colleagues’ wellbeing from Christmas Jumper Day to supporting a half-marathon. ; ; By prioritising employee well-being, we cultivate a thriving environment where everyone can flourish.

Pricing

• Price: £750 to £1,250 a unit a day
• Discount for educational organisations: Yes
• Free trial available: Yes
• Description of free trial: 1 day free workshop

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 hello@clerkswell.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.