Softcat helps train operator find the right track with Amazon Web Services
Project at a Glance
A leading UK train operating company partnered with Softcat to simplify its AWS cloud management, resolve billing and visibility challenges, and secure better value through a One Government Value Agreement (OGVA). Softcat provided strategic guidance to reduce complexity, improve cost control, and unlock long-term savings by transitioning from PAYG to a more efficient cloud commercial model.
consolidated AWS agreement replacing fragmented PAYG consumption to simplify cloud management
critical improvement areas addressed: cost control, billing visibility, and reduced management complexity
Challenge
The customer relied on AWS through a PAYG model but faced difficulty managing billing, limited visibility of cloud consumption, and growing auditing challenges. To meet public-sector cost-saving expectations, it needed a more efficient commercial structure that simplified management while delivering better value.
Critical Success Factors:
1
Driving Cost‑Effective Cloud Adoption
Identify high-value, alternative AWS agreement.
2
Simplifying Cloud Management
Reduce cloud service management complexity.
3
Optimising AWS Investment
Burn down OGVA commitment and access discounted software through AWS Marketplace.
Solution
Softcat advised migrating from the customer’s existing PAYG arrangement to an OGVA—an agreement designed to help public-sector organisations adopt cloud at scale with significant discounts. Softcat also identified where existing on-premise ISV software could move to cloud-based equivalents procured through AWS Marketplace to help burn down commitment and unlock further savings.
- Recommend move to OGVA to reduce complexity, increase value for money and access significant discounts.
- Provide support for contract negotiations and onboarding process.
- Utilise AWS Marketplace to consolidate procurement and achieve usage commitment.
Results
The new OGVA-based model created a more cost-effective and manageable AWS environment. The customer gained better commercial value, simplified oversight of cloud operations, and a clearer path to scaling AWS usage while controlling spend. Softcat’s guidance enabled the organisation to achieve the savings it sought while reducing operational complexity.
- 22% discount achieved through use of the OGVA agreement.
- More robust transactional information and a clearer view of ongoing expenditure through CloudHealth.
- Ongoing commercial support and marketplace consolidation throughout agreement term.