The world is going digital. It’s a matter of “Be there or be square-ly left behind”. With this in mind, the UK Government is on a mission to digitise the public sector.
Government departments play a crucial role in this mission by driving innovation and economic growth and exploring the use of advanced IT and communications technologies.
The digital revolution aims to ensure that all public sector bodies benefit from the enhanced efficiency and transparency tied to the uptake of IT and Communication (ICT) digital technology.
Some of the benefits of the digital transformation include:
- Streamlined processes, including product and service delivery.
- Enhanced operational efficiency due to streamlined processes, reduced admin, and the optimisation of resources within the public sector.
- Engagement opportunities enable the public to interact with local government councils; for example, by participating in decision-making via mobile apps.
- Data analytics that provide insights essential for on-the-ball decision-making.
- Improved digital technologies have enabled a better user experience in UK public sector services.
Now we’re going to look at some of the top UK public sector digital communications and IT service suppliers.
Top Public Sector Organisations IT & Communication Suppliers
Here are 10 of the top public sector technology suppliers in public procurement.
Softcat: Other information technology service activities
Softcat provides bespoke technological solutions that target three of the biggest digital challenges within the public sector:
- Hybrid infrastructure
- Digital workspace
- Cyber security
Phoenix Software: Wholesale of computers, computer peripheral equipment, and software; Retail sale of computers, peripheral units, and software in specialised stores; Business and domestic software development; Other technology service activities
Phoenix Software provides ICT strategies from conception to software licence management and compliance. Customised digital transformation solutions include hybrid infrastructure, artificial intelligence, automation tasks, security, and collaboration.
Insight Direct: Other information technology service activities
Insight Direct is a multinational company that specialises in IT integrations, with a section dedicated exclusively to the UK’s public sector organisations, including technological solutions for supply chains.
Civica UK: Other information technology service activities
Civica is a multinational company that provides specialised software to governments worldwide. Solutions for the UK public sector include software for local and central government, education and healthcare.
Bytes Software Services: Other information technology service activities
Bytes Software Services provides a wide range of public sector IT services, including cyber security, cloud-based services, licencing, and a host of managed IT services to the UK and Ireland.
Specialist Computer Centres: Information technology consultancy activities; Other information technology service activities; Repair of computers and peripheral equipment
Specialist Computer Centres specialises in IT transformation, focusing on providing the strategic support companies or public sector bodies need to use technology throughout their business operations confidently.
Computacenter UK: Activities of head offices
Computacenter provides technology-related services to private and public sector organisations. One of the primary aims is to facilitate digital transformation so their customers, including public sector bodies, can get the most out of their technology infrastructure.
By leveraging new digital technologies like AI, IoT, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Computacenter helps to improve service delivery and enhance operational efficiency.
Boxxe: Other information technology service activities
Boxxe covers the ICT industry by providing hardware, software, and managed IT services to the private and public sectors, aiming to drive growth and innovation through cutting-edge technology.
Dell Corporation: Information technology consultancy activities
Dell Corporation UK provides advisory services to organisations whose internal IT teams need support and guidance to drive business growth via cloud computing and enhance productivity with secure collaboration platforms.
CDW: Other information service activities not elsewhere classified
CDW is a multinational, multi-brand ICT solutions provider to the public sectors in the UK and several other countries around the world. IT solutions include hybrid platforms and digital enablement, IT services include IT support and eProcurement.
Marketing Strategies To Attract Buyers
We’ve seen some of the top public sector market suppliers, but how do you become a top supplier?
Quality products and services are obviously important, but you need to stand out in the market if you want to succeed.
Here are six marketing tips to make it in the public sector.
1) Make value the be-all and end-all
Products and services that meet buyers’ needs are great, but they don’t exactly set the world alight. Super-size the value you provide to government departments, including your social value.
2) Price must reflect value
Fair prices are essential. If you have a genuinely high-quality business offering, don’t be afraid to charge what it’s worth – but, don’t get carried away. No one is going to support your organisation if you price yourself out of the market.
Buyers like a good bargain, but prices that are too low are immediately suspicious. The assumption is that price reflects value, so a very low price suggests a very low-quality product or service.
3) Consistent brand message
This doesn’t mean boring repetition. Your marketing can (and should) be infinitely creative, but the way you represent your brand must be consistent across all media and campaigns.
For example, choose a focus point, like your organisation only uses green technology and energy-efficient tools, and let that be your brand identifier within the public sector.
4) Continuous development and innovation in emerging technologies
Spread the word; you never rest on your laurels. You’re always striving to provide bigger and better services so your public sector clients can enjoy the greatest digital services and business development benefits available.
In the public sector, continuous development and innovation also involve ensuring ethical data processes and secure data handling.
5) Have fun
Don’t take yourself too seriously. You can cater to a serious industry, like defence, and inject some fun or humour into your public sector communications and IT services campaigns.
However, it must still be in keeping with the nature of the products, services, and works. Slapstick – probably not. Tongue-in-cheek – probably. Dry humour – within reason.
You don’t want it to be too clever for its own good.
6) Incorporate social media
Social media is ubiquitous but use it judiciously. LinkedIn is a reliable platform for the public sector. Paid social media ads are a good option to increase brand awareness and advertise specific campaigns.
Bear in mind that not all social media channels are suitable for public sector IT solutions. TikTok, for instance, is perhaps a bit too casual and informal.
Get It Right The First Time
What you don’t want is for your digital services marketing campaign to miss the mark, and then miss it again, and again. Not only is it disheartening, but it also costs money, drains resources, and eats up large swaths of time.
A marketing agency that specialises in business-to-government (B2G) strategies is your best bet if you want your brand to attract the right kind of attention. The kind of attention that generates and converts leads from potential to all-star clients.
Cadence Marketing has decades of experience in the B2G marketplace. Contact us and find out how our services can help you navigate the intricacies of public sector marketing and meet your marketing goals.
