Comprehensive Spending Review points the way for massive departmental savings

Software Industry Research Board launches Guide to Public Sector SAM

The Comprehensive Spending Review, launched today by Chancellor George Osbourne, contains the deepest cuts in public spending in living memory, with the majority of government departments expected to make substantial efficiency savings over the next four years.

Government departments are now being asked to deliver enormous efficiency and administration savings ranging from 7.1% per year at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, through to a staggering 41% reduction in costs at the Department for Culture, Media and Sports.

Green Efficiency Review highlights Government failure to leverage its credit rating and scale in IT procurement

The Government Efficiency review, conducted by leading businessman Sir Philip Green, which highlighted what he terms "the inefficiency and waste of Government spending, which is mainly due to very poor data and process", has been welcomed by the Software Industry Research Board (SIRB).

Matt Fisher, chairman of the SIRB, stated:

"Software, like any other asset, must be managed throughout its lifecycle to achieve its maximum potential benefit. Effective management of software assets by public sector organisations improves financial performance by addressing such issues as how acquisition should be affected by utilisation and disposal."

Microsoft move the goalposts for Windows 7 licensing and Select Plus

In our April newsletter we published two articles which covered off the detail of Windows 7 licensing requirements and the announcement that Microsoft will cease to provide new Select agreements.

Proving the point that IT and software licensing are constantly subject to change the announcements we made in both instances are now subject to amendment as Microsoft has responded to market feedback.