Technology Procurement
Empowering Your Business: Tailored Technology Procurement for Seamless IT Integration and Maximum Efficiency.
Technology Procurement Services
Buy the right technology, on the right terms, without hidden costs.
Our technology procurement services help UK organisations plan, buy and manage hardware, software, cloud and cyber security. We define your needs with your department leads, build the procurement plan, select and negotiate with vendors, and manage the move to new systems. We led critical supplier negotiations for Fujitsu that delivered £9m in savings through a revised contract model. Book a free consultation to talk through your next technology purchase.
What is technology procurement?
Technology procurement is the process of identifying, buying and managing the technology a business needs. It needs careful planning, a close eye on current and future market trends, and a full understanding of your IT environment, so that what you buy is compatible, efficient and good value. Access to expert knowledge helps organisations make informed decisions about technology investments, and well-run procurement activity helps you manage those resources efficiently. Our IT procurement services make each step of the process fit your business needs.
Why effective tech procurement matters
Businesses need IT infrastructure that meets today's needs and is ready for the future. IT investments can be expensive, but strategic procurement can reduce costs, improve operations and make you more competitive. Managing contracts and compliance is a critical part of reducing procurement risk, and automating procurement processes improves efficiency and cuts operating costs. Our IT procurement services give you the tools and expertise to achieve this.
What's included in our technology procurement services
We guide you through every stage of the technology procurement process, so your IT strategy supports your business goals. Contract negotiation is central to securing good terms and making sure suppliers keep to their agreements. Our procurement specialists also find inefficiencies, manage subscriptions and streamline workflows, so you cut costs and get more from your technology investments. You can use the full service or pick the elements you need.
Defining your hardware and software needs
We talk to your department leaders to identify your current and future technology needs. This helps us understand your existing systems, anticipate challenges and spot opportunities to improve. Choosing quality hardware and software that supports your business strategy and operations is central to the process, and we make sure the solutions fit your specific needs.
Strategic planning
Once we understand your needs, we help you draft a technology procurement plan. It sets objectives, chooses an operating model, shortlists potential suppliers and defines how the solution will be implemented. A good plan reduces cost and risk and makes the purchase more efficient.
Team assembly, IT governance and vendor management
Our team of procurement, technical and legal specialists keeps the procurement on track. Vendor management is a key part of this: we evaluate procurement contracts and manage multiple vendor relationships. We also help you set up a strong IT governance framework, so your technology investments are used effectively.
Smooth transition and implementation
Moving to new IT systems can be daunting. We oversee the whole process, from managing supplier transitions to training your staff, keeping disruption to your operations and your customers to a minimum. We also make sure your service level agreements (SLAs) set clear standards for the quality and timeliness of the service, so expectations are managed and operations run smoothly.
Spotting and avoiding hidden costs
Technology purchases can hide unexpected costs. We review every potential cost, not just the purchase price, including training, upgrades and security. We also help you plan the logistics of getting technology to your teams on time, wherever they are.
Expertise on demand
Technology is complex, and sometimes you need outside help. Our team can step in to give recommendations, support smooth integrations and bring your procurement process in line with best practice. We evaluate vendors on their proven track record of delivering high-quality products and services.
Procurement software
As a partner of ISPnext, we can also help you put source-to-contract technology in place, so future technology purchases are faster and easier to control. Read about our ISPnext partnership.
Planning a technology purchase or renewal? Book a consultation and we will scope it with you.
How we work
Our technology procurement process follows six steps. Each step has a clear output, so you always know where the procurement stands.
- Define your needs. We talk to department leads, review your current systems and agree present and future requirements. Output: technology requirements and priorities.
- Build the procurement plan. We set objectives, choose the operating model and route to market, and agree the budget, including whole-life costs. Output: technology procurement plan.
- Research and shortlist vendors. We research the market using analyst insight and vendor performance data, then shortlist suppliers. Output: vendor shortlist.
- Run the competition and evaluate. We issue the requirement, manage questions and evaluate each proposal on capability, cost, risk and track record. Output: evaluation report and recommended vendor.
- Negotiate and contract. We negotiate pricing, licensing, SLAs and terms, and make sure the contract protects you. Output: signed contract with clear SLAs.
- Transition and govern. We manage supplier transition and staff training, and set up IT governance and vendor management. Output: implementation and vendor management plan.
IT infrastructure and technology investments
Investing in the right IT infrastructure and technology helps businesses stay competitive. A well-planned infrastructure streamlines operations, improves efficiency and reduces costs. But technology changes constantly, and it can be hard to keep up with your IT requirements. We keep you up to date with the latest developments and make sure your investments are sound.
Cloud solutions and cyber security services
Cloud solutions and cyber security services are essential parts of modern IT infrastructure. Cloud gives businesses the flexibility and scale to adapt to changing markets, while cyber security protects them from the growing threat of cyber attacks. Together, they keep your IT infrastructure secure, efficient and scalable. Our expertise includes identity and access management (IAM) and public key infrastructure (PKI), so your data is protected and well managed.
Digital transformation and IT project design
Digital transformation and IT project design are critical for businesses modernising their IT. Digital transformation helps organisations move from traditional IT systems to modern, cloud-based solutions. IT project design makes sure those projects are planned and delivered well. Both keep your IT aligned with your business goals, and we support you through each.
Our IT procurement expertise
Our IT procurement services cover a wide range of technologies. Below are our key areas of expertise and the main vendors we have worked with.
Cyber security
- Okta: identity and access management.
- SailPoint: identity governance to manage user access.
- Keyfactor: public key infrastructure (PKI) for secure communications.
- Palo Alto Networks: firewalls and cyber security platforms.
Networking
- Cisco: networking hardware, software and cyber security.
- Aruba Networks: wireless networking and secure access.
- Juniper Networks: high-performance networking and cyber security.
IT infrastructure
- Dell Technologies: hardware including servers and storage.
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE): enterprise IT solutions and infrastructure.
- Lenovo: hardware from desktops to data centres.
Cloud solutions
- Microsoft Azure: a cloud platform with a full suite of services.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): cloud infrastructure and services.
- Google Cloud: scalable cloud computing and business tools.
Software procurement
- Microsoft: enterprise software such as Microsoft 365 for productivity and collaboration.
- Adobe: creative software and cloud services for design, marketing and document management.
- HP: hardware including printers and PCs.
- ServiceNow: a cloud platform that automates IT operations and service management.
- SAP: enterprise resource planning (ERP) that joins up business functions.
- Oracle: database management and enterprise software for data-driven decisions.
- Salesforce: customer relationship management (CRM) to manage customer interactions and sales.
End user compute
- Apple: mobile devices and computers.
- Samsung: mobile devices and electronics.
- Lenovo: laptops and desktops for business use.
Our knowledge of these technologies and vendors helps you make informed decisions and get the best value from your technology investments.
Overcoming common challenges in IT procurement
IT procurement can be complex, especially for businesses without much experience of it. Common challenges include unclear requirements, hidden whole-life costs, complex licensing, vendor lock-in and weak service levels. Understanding these challenges early lets you take steps to keep your procurement efficient and cost-effective. Our IT procurement services are designed to tackle each of them.
Why Athena Commercial for your tech procurement?
Precise analysis. We back every recommendation with market research and vendor performance analysis, using sources such as Gartner and Forrester. This helps you get the right technology at the best price.
Skilled negotiations. We negotiate directly with vendors to secure good deals and make sure they keep to their service level agreements. Streamlining procurement also cuts operating costs, because it reduces manual work, consolidates purchasing and improves budget control.
Complete project management. We manage the procurement from end to end, with care at every stage. We also help you build strong supplier relationships after the contract is signed, so you keep getting good service and good deals.
Proof: results from our technology procurement work
£9m savings through a revised contract model for Fujitsu
Fujitsu needed support to mobilise a newly signed contract, put commercial policies and processes in place and resolve critical supplier negotiations. We mobilised the contract, helped the delivery team build commercial tools and led negotiations for Break Fix Support. - Result: a revised contract model that achieved £9m in savings. - Read the Fujitsu case study
£2m savings and stronger supplier management for Johnson Matthey
Johnson Matthey needed to negotiate cost-efficient contracts with key IT suppliers and oversee a high-value cyber security project. We negotiated with Dell, Cisco and IT software providers, and led the procurement for the cyber security project. - Result: £2m in cost savings, a competitively sourced £40m cyber security project and a best-practice supplier performance framework. - Read the Johnson Matthey case study
More technology procurement results
- £20m IoT procurement process led for BDR Thermea for smart metering.
- £20m handheld terminals transformation programme for Yodel, including leading the RFP.
- £2m MoD cyber security contract for Unsung Ltd, including procurement of third-party technology agreements.
Our own framework credentials
- G-Cloud 14 – Athena secures a place on G-Cloud 14
- DOS 7 (Digital Outcomes and Specialists), Lots 1 and 3 – Athena awarded a place on DOS 7
Sectors we support
Defence
Defence technology purchases bring strict security and assurance requirements. We have negotiated third-party technology agreements for MoD and Babcock cyber security contracts, and our team holds Security Check (SC) clearance. Read our guide to cyber security procurement.
NHS and health
Health organisations need technology that meets data protection, clinical safety and interoperability standards. We help you build these into requirements and vendor evaluation, so compliance is tested before you sign.
Construction
Construction and infrastructure businesses buy technology for site operations, smart buildings and connectivity. We led a £20m IoT procurement for BDR Thermea and drafted an NEC3 contract for a £30m broadband project.
Technology
Technology companies also buy technology, from cloud platforms to third-party components for their own solutions. We negotiated £9m in savings for Fujitsu and £2m for Johnson Matthey with Dell, Cisco and software vendors. See our guide to technology procurement frameworks.
