Issue details

Proposed decision:

1.    The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to agree to enter into a new Microsoft licencing agreement for 3 years to meet Kent County Council business and Infrastructure licensing requirements; and

2.    to delegate authority to Director of Technology in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, for the necessary contractual negotiations to enter into any legal agreements required to implement the above.

Reason for the decision: 

Kent County Council (KCC) needs to enter into a new licensing agreement to ensure continuation of the use of Office 365 and all of the tools available, including security packages.

Background:

KCC entered into an Enterprise Licencing Agreement with Microsoft via its reseller in June 2020 for three years. Since the contract was awarded, Microsoft have made available a discounted licencing arrangement over a new 3-year term. This agreement provides access to a variety of M365 applications, tools and modules which are essential to supporting the Council’s business operations. As part of this arrangement the Council will be able to take advantage of enhanced licensing which is critical to support its remote working policy and enhancing the security of KCC’s infrastructure.

Options:

No other options have been considered as viable.

How the proposed decision supports the Interim Strategic Plan:

The Microsoft environment is a crucial part of the technology infrastructure and as such forms part of building our resilience.