FAQs

• Scope of service
• Scope of the wide-area networking
• What services will I get?
• Can I purchase LAN extensions and equivalent services?
• What governance structures are in place?
• What role will the Welsh Assembly Government and PSBA central team play?

Scope of service

The full scope of this service is wide, delivering both immediate and long-term benefits.  In the first stage of the service delivery, improved wide area networking connections will be delivered to:

• NHS Wales
• 22 Unitary Authorities
• Higher and further education organisations

After the first stage, the PSBA Network will be expanded to deliver services to a wider range of public service organisations including:

• The Welsh Assembly Government
• The Countryside Council for Wales
• Fire and Rescue services
• The National Parks service
• Museums service
• Any other organisation delivering public services in Wales for, on behalf of or funded from the Welsh Assembly Government.

<back to top>

Scope of the wide-area networking that will be provided?

The PSBA services are split into two broad categories of service:  Core Infrastructure services and Connectivity Services.

Core Infrastructure services

The core infrastructure includes the development and deployment of the network itself and the provision of support services such as a help-desk; service portal; service monitoring; reporting; billing and technical design support.  Broadly, these are services that will be required by most, if not all, service users.

Connectivity Services

The connectivity services are described as a range of options that allow service users to connect to other service users and gateways.  These connections can either be delivered via the core network or as point to point links.

<back to top>

What services will I get?

Services that are delivered to end-user organisations are described in the Connectivity Services Descriptions but essentially are a range of communications services which will provide organisations with physical connection to the PSBA Core network.  The Connectivity Services Descriptions are self-contained documents describing the exact nature of the services delivered.

The Core Infrastructure Services will provide the connectivity and service wrap that supports the delivery of Connectivity Services. This includes the management  and support that enable users from all Sectors to share the PSBA network.

Each organisation will ultimately have a choice over the services delivered.  This allows for local decisions and business cases to be developed according to local requirements and need.

Choices over capacity (bandwidth), reliability (availability and resilience), technology and security all affect the price of the services.  Such decisions need to be balanced against cost and local priorities.  There are also political imperatives and policy drivers affecting the services to be deployed over the network.  Finally, a combination of local funding and central funding affects where the final decision about service requirements is made and will vary between Sectors.

<back to top>

Can I purchase LAN extensions and equivalent services?

Yes.  The PSBA contract has been set up to allow the supplier to procure a variety of connectivity service offerings, as required by the user community.  Please contact Logicalis for details.

<back to top>

What governance structures are in place?

The governance structures have been set up to be as inclusive as possible for all partners.  This includes:

• The PSBA programme board
• The PSBA management board
• The operational delivery group
• The technical design authority
• The change advisory board

In addition, there are a number of additional PSBA stakeholder communities and groups.

<back to top>

What role will the Welsh Assembly Government play?

There will remain a core team within the Welsh Assembly Government to coordinate and manage the various activities and interactions between the PSBA Supplier, Partner Organisations and the various PSBA governance boards.

This role will include activities under the following headings:

Core build and development:

Confirm Logicalis core build activities are well planned, involving partners as appropriate and on track for delivery of the milestones.

Service management:

Work with Logicalis to ensure that ITIL compliant appropriate service management developed in line with contract requirements and to meet partner expectations.

Marketing and communications:

• External contract award publicity
• Key messages published and kept up-to-date
• On going partner messages

Account management

• Encouraging take-up with new Sectors.

Connect agreements:

• Confirm with sectors
• Ensure signed by Initial Order Recipient Organisations

Initial order and migration;

• Monitor Logicalis delivery of Initial order validation, planning and delivery
• Health DSL pilot

Testing:

• Ensure Logicalis develop test scripts for milestone tests, review through governance structure and action.

Commercial:

• Contract review meetings
• Contractual deliverables

Finance and funding:

• Financial model and reporting
• Funding flows
• Invoice receipt, validation and payment

Change management:

• Provide a contact point for the PSBA supplier change management function

Governance proposals:

• Extract from contract and other sources
• Document as single clear set of proposals

Project governance:

• Populate governance boards
• Ensure on-going attendance and representation

Security:

• Ensure Logicalis delivers security accreditation

<back to top>