Purpose

Request Executive approval to procure a
unified Wide Area Network (WAN) and Internet connectivity across
North Northants properties and replace the 4 existing
infrastructures which are coming to their end of life, with
Software Defined (SD)-WAN for North Northamptonshire

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 
That the Executive:
 

a.     
Approved the proposal to rejoin the Eastnet Partnership framework to implement a new
unified Wide Area Network and Internet connectivity solution for
North Northamptonshire.

 

b.     
Delegated authority to the Chief Information Officer
in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and
Transformation to take any further decisions and actions required
to conclude the re-joining of the Eastnet Partnership and implementation of the new
inter-site and Internet connectivity.
 
 
Reasons for
Recommendations:
 

·       
The primary strategic goal is to unify the Council's
disparate networks into a single, efficiently managed IT
infrastructure. By consolidating WAN connectivity, internet
services, and network hardware under a unified network
architecture, the Council aims to achieve cost savings, streamlined
network management, improve the reliability, speed, and security of
internet connectivity. This unification will eliminate the
complexities associated with managing multiple suppliers and
contracts, aligning with the organisation's commitment to
operational excellence.

·       
Cost Optimisation: By standardising network services
and equipment across all Council sites, the organisation
anticipates reduced procurement costs, streamlined maintenance, and
simplified vendor management. This goal aligns with the Council's
commitment to financial prudence and the efficient allocation of
resources.

·       
To enable the Council to deliver the One Council
vision.

·       
Provides extensive revenue cost savings as the
partnership creates economies of scale that North Northamptonshire
Council could not achieve as a single entity

·       
Enhanced Security and compliance: By consolidating
network infrastructure and standardising security measures, the
Council aims to enhance data protection, mitigate security risks,
and ensure regulatory compliance. This goal reflects the
Council’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive information
and maintaining a robust security posture.

·       
Improved Operational Agility through network
unification: The Council seeks to streamline processes, simplify
technical support, and enable faster response times to
network-related issues. This strategic objective aligns with the
Council’s drive for operational excellence, efficiency, and
adaptability.
·       
The ability to provide a consistent colleague
experience wherever they are working.
 
Alternative Options Considered – All the current network
and internet infrastructure across North Northamptonshire are
separate, with a number of different suppliers. This causes a
number of issues with ICT being able to create efficient processes
and a good experience for staff and residents. The current
inter-site and internet infrastructure is also approaching
end-of-life and unscalable in the majority of legacy
areas.  Of the options, the preferred
solution would be an extension of an existing multi-authority
partnership, provided under one agreement with a single vendor
which will improve on existing solutions in these ways: 

a)     
Support the One Council objectives and provide the
foundation needed to help deliver the Council’s technology
strategy.

b)     
Provide a single enhanced colleague experience for
remote access.

c)     
Be efficient to procure, support and
manage.

d)     
Deliver revenue budget savings and contractual
benefits.

e)     
Will be built on a scalable, flexible and secure
technical platform which will simultaneously align us technically
with West Northamptonshire Council, allowing North Northamptonshire
Council to quickly move into a position that better supports the
process of disaggregation.