Capita secures 17 contract renewals for Scottish Wide Area Network
Capita has been tasked with continuing to help Scottish Wide Area Network deliver digital transformations until 2023. The multiple contract renewals are worth a total of £11 million.
Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) is a framework that delivers a single shared network infrastructure across Scotland’s public sector. Following its 2014 launch, over 6,000 sites have been connected to the network, including schools, hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacists and local council offices.
Capita, is an international business process outsourcing and professional services company headquartered in London. One of its areas of specialism is aiding public sector organisations with improving their digital offerings – something which has seen the firm pick up a diverse range of contracts assisting local authorities in recent years.
As SWAN looks to bolster its services, with network infrastructure arguably more important than ever before due to the remote working necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, it has renewed a number of key contracts with Capita.
The news sees Capita secure 17 contract renewals with a combined value of £11 million; with the deals running until March 2023.
Eddie Cronie, Managing Director at Capita Networking Solutions, commented, “These contract renewals are secured on our ability to deliver a reliable and secure network infrastructure to support the digital transformation ambitions for the Scottish public sector. SWAN is a true reflection of our technological capabilities and ability to deliver on a country-wide scale.”
The core infrastructure for SWAN includes the development and deployment of a ‘wide area network’ as well as the provision of value-added services and support services such as service helpdesks, reporting, billing and technical support. The framework also makes it easier for residents to access local services, particularly in remote and island regions, where people historically may have needed to travel long distances.
Jim Crawford, Scotland Regional Director at Capita Technology Solutions, said, “Since the launch of the SWAN network, organisations have benefited from better network connectivity that has resulted in improved services and support for their communities. This has enabled them to focus on their core service delivery areas and helped them operate more efficiently.”
The full list of contracts renewed are as follows: Aberdeen City Council; Care Inspectorate; Creative Scotland; East Renfrewshire Council; Education Scotland; Historic Environment Scotland; Midlothian Council; NHSScotland; North Lanarkshire Council; Pathfinder North; Pathfinder South; Scottish Government; Scottish Natural Heritage; Scottish Qualifications Authority; Skills Development Scotland; University of Highlands and Islands; and West Lothian Council.