This G-Cloud 10 service is no longer available to buy.

The G-Cloud 10 framework expired on Tuesday 2 July 2019. Any existing contracts with Q Associates Limited are still valid.
Q Associates Limited

Cloud - Secure Stream - IT Technical & Project Services - QSS213W

This service concerns transition of legacy systems or new implementations to a Private or Public-based Cloud solution, and the provision of Cloud Services for Secure Stream clients who require platforms and systems at higher classifications, with additional requirements for security, separation and auditing.

Features

  • Cloud migration: Proven expertise in migration and integration
  • Transition and migration: Services to a public or private cloud
  • Business and requirements: analysis and development with the client
  • Design of higher security level application platforms (HLD/LLD)
  • Implement and support of secure stream application platforms
  • Configuration documentation: Provision of platform documentation set
  • Technical Consultancy as required for the transition to the Cloud
  • Project Management as required for the transition to the Cloud
  • Test and Acceptance Unit; FAT; SAT; OAT; UAT; trials support
  • Assured premises where work can be performed, or client site

Benefits

  • Cloud Expertise: Established expertise for cloud migration
  • Transition to Cloud: management with minimised disruption
  • Experienced in design and implementation of higher classification systems
  • Comprehensive service: Requirements; Design; Implementation and Support
  • Co-operative working Planning and integration with the client team
  • Proven Track Record: Delivery of complex projects on time/budget
  • Proven Capability: Successful delivery of complex projects in challenging environments
  • Reduced costs due to efficient and focussed services
  • Agile methodology used where requested
  • Risk Assessment Client informed of key risks and mitigations

Pricing

£650 a unit a day

  • Education pricing available

Service documents

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at tenders@qassociates.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 10

Service ID

4 0 7 0 2 5 6 0 2 4 3 2 1 6 5

Contact

Q Associates Limited Adam Freeman
Telephone: 01635 248181
Email: tenders@qassociates.co.uk

Planning

Planning service
Yes
How the planning service works
Q Associates offer a full range of services to help Clients plan how they will implement Cloud hosting or software services.
Refine the Clients requirements, including business needs and any underlying issues
Define and agree the strategy – Including options
Develop the high level and low level designs
Provide a costed plan (proposal)
Develop a migration plan
Provide transition support
Provide BaU support.
The requirements statement and clarifications at the beginning of the engagement are vital to provide the right solution for a particular situation. It would normally includes elements of:
BaU
Technical
HA, Backup
DR, Compliance
System administration and support.
As a supplier and systems integrator, Q Associates provide on-premise, Cloud and hybrid solutions, including hyperconverged, using the latest technologies and best practice. Although each solution is specific to a Client, the Q Associates proven process remains consistent.
There are a number of levels to the planning service provided:
Strategic review of the business situation and desired objectives relevant to IT services
Architecture design
Solution Implementation.
Security, including security architecture, is featured at all levels. Q Associates has ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials accreditation and considers the security assessment and impact through all parts of the process.
Planning service works with specific services
No

Training

Training service provided
Yes
How the training service works
Q Associates provide a range of training, from manufacturer or hosting company run or backed training courses to on-premise bespoke courses or knowledge transfer during the migration or service delivery phases. Often, Clients choose a mix of training based on their current services, expertise and, if necessary, a Training Needs Analysis (TNA).
As an independent IT supplier and integrator, Q Associates can tailor the training to suit the needs of the Client. As well as manufacturer or hosting service formal off-site training courses, web-based training or on-site training, Q Associates partner with organisations to provide bespoke on or off premise training courses tailored to specific products or services.
Q Associates also offer direct knowledge transfer training, either during the implementation, migration or transition phases, provided by the supplier Technical Consultants or Solutions Architects to the Client technical team, typically the senior system or service administrators.
Training is tied to specific services
No

Setup and migration

Setup or migration service available
Yes
How the setup or migration service works
Q Associates offer a full range of services to help Clients plan how they will migrate to the Cloud or between Cloud services.
Q Associates can help Clients migrate to the Cloud, or between Cloud hosting or Cloud software services using the following approach:
Refine the Client’s requirements, including business needs and any underlying issues
Define and agree the strategy – Including options
Develop the high level and low level designs
Provide a costed plan (proposal)
Develop a migration plan
Provide transition support
Provide BaU support.
Q Associates offer a range of on-premise, Cloud and hybrid solutions, including hyper-converged solutions.
The requirements statement and clarifications at the beginning of the engagement are vital to provide the right solution for a particular situation. It would normally include elements of:
BaU
Technical
HA, Backup
DR, Compliance
System administration and support.
Q Associates provide a holistic view to the Client; with options, benefits, and implementation and on-going costs.
Q Associates provide a solution optimised for a particular Client situation; this may involve innovate Cloud solutions or migration methodologies. To migrate large volumes of data safely and securely with minimal business impact, Q Associates work closely with the Client.
Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services
No

Quality assurance and performance testing

Quality assurance and performance testing service
Yes
How the quality assurance and performance testing works
Q Associates provide quality assurance and performance testing; exploring a number of aspects to determine appropriate testing via a number of routes.
An initial check is on the cloud service itself, including accreditations and assurances, and also the known track record in providing the service for other Clients. The next step is to determine the level of quality or service performance and how that is, or could be, quantified and measured. Through the life of the service, Q Associates look to monitor, review and report the level of service with the constituent suppliers and the Client to assure that the service contracted is being met and to recommend improvement actions.
Q Associates can provide test and acceptance strategy, test plans and test execution, including performance testing, as part of a solution. The two aspects to this are test and acceptance against the requirements and against the service stated performance.
To do this, a number of performance test applications can be used or, typically, a set of Client provided test data, which is used to show for example deduplication rates, bandwidth or speed of transfer.
Q Associates would normally also support the Clients User Acceptance Tests (UAT).

Security testing

Security services
Yes
Security services type
  • Security strategy
  • Security risk management
  • Security design
  • Cyber security consultancy
  • Security testing
  • Security incident management
  • Security audit services
Certified security testers
Yes
Security testing certifications
  • CHECK
  • CREST

Ongoing support

Ongoing support service
Yes
Types of service supported
Buyer hosting or software
How the support service works
Q Associates provide a range of Cloud hosting and software support services, including Cloud hosting, hybrid solutions, migration to the Cloud and transition between providers.
User management, service management, helpdesk support, remote web-based support and on-site technical consultancy support services are all available.
The following wide range of activities - business process analysis, requirements analysis, design, installation, documentation, and testing - provides the basis for a stable, reliable solution. The focus then moves to system performance, capacity and issue monitoring, so that planned and corrective actions can be undertaken in a pre-planned manner, rather than P1/P2 short lead-time corrective actions.
Q Associates heritage as a system supplier and integrator ensures that all aspects of the solution, including support, are carefully considered as part of the Cloud hosting or software support services design.
Design and implementation of the Cloud service is undertaken by a team of experienced professionals. Service management is provided by a service team based at the Q Associates headquarters in Newbury. Helpdesk support is provided from our dedicated helpdesk in Newcastle, supported by the service management team and Technical Consultants who provide extended remote or national on-site coverage, as required.

Service scope

Service constraints
Q Associates heritage is primarily as an IT reseller and integrator. Q Associates now provide a range of Cloud hosting, software and support services. A number of these services, including Technical Consultancy, design, implementation, support, testing, documentation, and support, are delivered directly by Q Associates. Other services, such as off-premise hosting, are provided by Q Associates using partner organisations, or organisations chosen by the Client.

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Email or online ticketing
Support response times
Q Associates provide 24/7 support tailored to a Client’s requirements. The Client can log a call on-line or by telephone and, dependent on the contract and the urgency, a response is provided.
Dependent on the type of issue, support might then be provided by Q Associates directly or via a manufacturer or hosting service.
Support is also provided through event logs despatched by the system or service to Q Associates and/or the manufacturer and/or the service provider, so that action is provided without intervention or notification by the Client (e.g. failed disk despatched to site).
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
No
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
24 hours, 7 days a week
Web chat support
No
Support levels
Q Associates provide 24/7 support tailored to a Client’s requirements. The Client can log a call on-line or by telephone and, dependent on the contract and the urgency, a response is provided.
Dependent on the type of issue, support might then be provided by Q Associates directly or via a manufacturer or hosting service.
Support is also provided through event logs despatched by the system or service to Q Associates and/or the manufacturer and/or the service provider, so that action is provided without intervention or notification by the Client (e.g. failed disk despatched to site).
Support levels are defined by the urgency (P1, P2, P3, etc.) and the response periods, e.g. 9 to 5, Monday to Friday.
Support levels are agreed in the support contract; the cost reflects the level of support provided.
The Client normally procures the first 1 to 3 years of support as part of the initial sale.
To facilitate, manage and provide the support, Q Associates have Account Managers, Service Managers, Helpdesk/Support Engineers and a nationwide coverage of Technical Consultants

Resellers

Supplier type
Reseller providing extra features and support
Organisation whose services are being resold
Cisco, VMware, MSHyperV, AWS, Azure, Daisy, Vertus, ULCC, IBM, NetApp

Staff security

Staff security clearance
Other security clearance
Government security clearance
Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

Pricing

Price
£650 a unit a day
Discount for educational organisations
Yes

Service documents

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at tenders@qassociates.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.