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Note: Cabinet Office issues directive to government workers: Prioritize cloud-based IT solutions whenever possible.
In an effort to expedite government cloud (G-Cloud) progress, the U.K. government plans to formally adopt a "cloud-first" procurement policy. And it would like to see the entire British public sector follow suit.
In practical terms, that means all of Whitehall (central government) should always prioritize cloud-based IT products and services, according to a mandate from the Cabinet Office, which acts a kind of pan-governmental office of the COO for the British state.
Going forward, government departments and agencies should consider and fully evaluate potential cloud-based solutions first. However, they are still free to choose an alternative option if they can demonstrate that it offers better value for money.
The push in many ways cements an ongoing set of activities designed to curb growing IT procurement and project costs, especially at the center of the country's public sector. "IT costs are still too...