URL: https://democracy.ipswich.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1367

Decision Maker: Officer Decision

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Our current Celestix contract for Celestix ‘agile’ remote-access VPN tunnels expires 21/05/2025 and our recent Microsoft365 license upgrade presented an opportunity to improve our remote working provision and reduce our annual charges. If we transfer to ‘Always on’ VPN software (bundled free with Microsoft365), we no longer require Celestix client licenses meaning the new upgrade will be cost[1]neutral and can be funded from existing budgets.   Celestix provided quotes through a reseller to replace and support our existing system and they have agreed to temporarily extend our current client licenses. This will allow us to manage a gradual migration to the new product which would reduce the risk of a council wide outage for remote workers.   We have considered alternative providers to configure ‘Always on’ VPN, but Celestix have specific knowledge of our current configuration and are familiar with the migration between the two systems.   Our Head of Service has been consulted during the decision-making process and approves the request.

Content: Our current Celestix contract for Celestix ‘agile’ remote-access VPN tunnels expires 21/05/2025 and our recent Microsoft365 license upgrade presented an opportunity to improve our remote working provision and reduce our annual charges. If we transfer to ‘Always on’ VPN software (bundled free with Microsoft365), we no longer require Celestix client licenses meaning the new upgrade will be cost[1]neutral and can be funded from existing budgets.   Celestix provided quotes through a reseller to replace and support our existing system and they have agreed to temporarily extend our current client licenses. This will allow us to manage a gradual migration to the new product which would reduce the risk of a council wide outage for remote workers.   We have considered alternative providers to configure ‘Always on’ VPN, but Celestix have specific knowledge of our current configuration and are familiar with the migration between the two systems.   Our Head of Service has been consulted during the decision-making process and approves the request. To procure (via direct award on supplier terms) consultancy/software services to migrate away from our current VPN solution for a cost of £12,689 with a contract duration of 12 months.   Reason: We have a unique opportunity to improve our remote working system by switching to a cost neutral product that we are already licensed for.

Date of Decision: May 8, 2025