Content

12.1

The Chief Operating Officer submitted a report
seeking approval to commission a new Software Defined Wide Area
Network (SDWAN) Service from an external provider, as outlined in
this report.
 
This report explains the current WAN service and
it its importance to the Council and schools.  The report goes on to describe the SDWAN network
service and its potential benefits to the
Council.

 

 

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee approves the commissioning of a new
Software Defined Wide Area Network (SDWAN) Service from an external
Provider for a period of 5 years with an estimated value of
£3.6M, as set out in this report.

 

 

12.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

12.3.1

It is recommended that the Council approves the
commission of a new SDWAN Network Service.  This will:
 

Deliver Savings against current
contract.
Deliver a more robust, efficient and simpler network
service.
Delivering a major project at a minimal cost of
change with no dual running cost, transformational, project or
upfront costs
Provide in service performance upgrades to many
of the locations with increases in bandwidth at no additional
cost.
Provides flexibility within the contract to
account for estate rationalisation to work with the Accommodation
review.

 

 

12.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

12.4.1

Option 1: Do Nothing
This is not an option because the current contract for the
services will end on 31st May 2024. As the services are still
required, a new contract will be required.

 

 

12.4.2

Option 2: Provide SDWAN Network Service in house (in addition to
the managed service).
The Council does not have resource or the expertise in house to
deliver the services outlined in paragraph 1.2. As such there is a
necessity to contract out.