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PlaceICT provides comprehensive consultancy
services which are tailored to support our clients through
the entire life of a project - from developing the vision
and feasibility, or business case, through to the soft market
testing of potential partners. In addition, we provide project
and supply chain management, acceptance testing, implementation
management and project sign-off services.
Our approach is based on a tried and tested
methodology which can be adapted to suit your specific project
needs and which is fully compliant with Becta and Partnerships
for Schools procedures.
What do
we do?
PlaceICT is adept at developing high quality output specifications
which are aligned to, and truly reflect, the vision and aspirations
of schools, colleges and local authorities. We act as ‘guardians
of the vision’, translating the language of education
into the technical language which is required to inform bidders
and their supply chains.
We work closely with architects and technical
advisers to ensure that ICT is fully integrated with building
design, thus avoiding common pitfalls. We also manage both
aspirations and expectations, to ensure that schools, colleges
and local authorities get what they want - to drive transformed
learning, but within the confines of funding constraints.
| For local authorities we
provide: |
- Programme liaison with Becta
and Partnerships for Schools
- ICT output specification
- ICT procurement scope
- Options appraisal
- A phased delivery plan
- Interim service management
- ICT feasibility and affordability
- Cost model and investment strategy
- Sustainability support
- ICT and design guide
- Soft market testing
- Draft payment mechanism and
service contract
- Input to MOI, OJEU and PQQ
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| For schools and colleges
we provide: |
- ICT change management programme
- ICT technical systems
- Governor agreement sign-off
- ICT output specification
- ICT audit
- ICT investment plan
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How do we
do it?
Our familiarity with the Becta and Partnerships for Schools
processes enables us to comply with the prescribed timeline
and deliverables, but without burdening schools, colleges
and local authorities unnecessarily.
We work through an ICT Champions network to
ensure ownership of decisions and choices, providing tools
including options appraisals to help them understand the trade-offs
in any decision they take, and to ensure affordability of
solutions. We talk the language of the end-users, translating
this into the technical language of suppliers but ensuring
that the focus is always on using ICT to drive better outcomes
for children and young people.
Operating independently of hardware and software
vendors, PlaceICT ensures that as wide a range of options
as possible are considered and that choices are made for educational
reasons. Our approach to guiding stakeholders through the
process means that we build a strong capacity and readiness
for procurement.
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“Place
has been an invaluable part of the Manchester City Council
team from the outset of our journey. Five years on and
the partnership still provides us with support, creativity
and strategic guidance. Place personnel are experts
in their field and the entire team remains committed
to and passionate about helping us reach our vision,
one where we have highly skilled young people who are
able to live and work in 21st century communities.”
Head
of Public Private Partnerships - Manchester City Council
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