Scottish public sector mobile and flexible working spend set to increase 

The public sector is one of the most important vertical markets for Scotland’s digital technologies industry but, says ScotlandIS, information about its size and future has been limited.

The industry organisation has gathered and analysed data for current and projected public sector ICT expenditure in Scotland which it hopes will make it easier to assess market opportunities and take informed investment decisions.

Launching this month, ScotlandIS says the Public Sector ICT Expenditure in Scotland report will provide a comprehensive view of the sector, valued at £811m in 2016/17, “at a level of detail that has never been available before”.

The report, produced in partnership with the Scottish Government, breaks down spend by public sector area on ICT over the past six years as well as forecasting outlays up to 2021. It examines various segments of the market, and highlights opportunities for businesses to win contracts.

Colin Cook, Digital Director at the Scottish Government, said: “This report demonstrates the importance of the public sector within the digital economy, and the Scottish Government is actively strengthening this relationship.

“This report will provide tech companies already supplying goods and services to the public sector with further guidance on future business opportunities, and provide companies that are new to public sector procurement with a better understanding of the opportunities that are available”.

The report predicts an increase in spend on mobile and flexible working. The move to the cloud in both private and hybrid forms is forecast to continue and increased public sector spend on cyber security hardware and software is also expected.

Polly Purvis, CEO of ScotlandIS, said: “We conducted this research to respond to demand from members. The report is focused purely on the situation in Scotland with findings at a level of granularity that has not been available before.”

Breakfast briefings to launch the report will take place on tomorrow (Wednesday) in Edinburgh and on Thursday this week in Glasgow. The events will outline the key opportunities on the public sector ICT market and provide attendees with advice on ways to seize these opportunities.

Further details and how to obtain your copy of the report here.