It is interesting to note that Andy Tait, who held the position of G-Cloud, Data Centre Consolidation and Application Store Deputy Director within the Office of the Government CIO, had left HM Government’s employment. We haven’t seen any announcement from the Cabinet Office but, yesterday, virtualisation specialist VMware announced Tait’s appointment as its Head of UK Public Services. We understand from various press articles that Chris Chant, Director for DirectGov and Digital Engagement will take on Tait’s responsibilities.
The move raises two questions. In relation to his departure from the Cabinet Office: ‘is UK Government still serious about G-Cloud?' And in relation to VMware: ‘what does it say about VMware’s ambitions in the sector?'.
The latter is probably the easiest to answer. Tait highlights that there are “many examples of public sector organisations using VMware technology" already. However, VMware has been making a concerted effort to raise its profile in the sector over the last six months. Indeed, in October 2010, TechMarketView contributed to a debate initiated by research commissioned on behalf of VMWare on the effects of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) on public sector IT spend (see TechMarketView in the press). And just last month, we contributed to a panel discussion hosted by VMware when it published results of a further survey. The appointment of Tait just confirms that VMware is serious about making a serious impact and is determined to be a central player in UK Government’s G-Cloud initiatives. Tait’s move to VMWare comes just a week after UK Government COO Ian Watmore stated that he wanted UK Government to end its reliance on Microsoft. VMware has been squaring up to Microsoft for some time (as we reported in October last year – see VMware squares up to Microsoft), by arguing that the existing client/server model (aka Windows) is being replaced by a virtualised cloud system serving multiple devices.
So what of the future for the G-Cloud Programme? Many commentators have been quick to take Tait’s departure as a sign that cloud computing is slowly losing prominence in the UK Government’s ICT strategy. Personally I can’t see that being the case. Government organisations, just like commercial organisations, will slowly move certain elements of their ICT to the ‘Cloud’ as and when appropriate. Indeed it’s already happening. The Government’s Cloud Computing Strategy, due to be published in the next six months, will be crucial to ensuring that the transition to the Cloud is handled consistently across the UK public sector. Tait was certainly a strong and vocal supporter of 'G-Cloud' but it wouldn't be sensible to read too much into his departure.