As well as getting Digital Services 2 (DS2) ready for launch this week and making progress on the Digital Services framework redesign, we've been making some significant changes to the Digital Marketplace and G-Cloud functionality. Here’s an overview of what’s been updated and what to expect next on the Digital Marketplace.
The Digital Marketplace is faster
We’ve significantly improved performance and the speed at which search results are returned. We also now have zero-downtime deployments. Our new cloud set-up allows us to scale parts of our applications in response to user needs as we’ve transformed the Digital Marketplace into a microservice architecture.
G-Cloud now has a supplier A-Z
G-Cloud suppliers can be found quickly and easily via our new A-Z link on the Digital Marketplace footer. Supplier services are not shown on supplier pages because we want buyers to use compliant evaluation methods and follow the correct buying processes in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
Secure supplier accounts
Supplier accounts are locked if there are 5 failed attempts to log in. Please contact our helpdesk at enquiries@digitalmarketplaceservice.gov.uk if you’ve locked yourself out of your account.
Buyer accounts for G-Cloud have been removed
Buyer accounts only provided the option to save a search. This meant that your search terms and filters were saved, but the list of suppliers returned by a search were lost. As a result, very few buyer accounts have been created and most of the existing ones are inactive. We’ll be reviewing what our buyers need so they have a record of their activities and selections. If you’re interested in sharing your views, please sign up to a user research session.
What we’re working on
A self-editing function for suppliers
In September, suppliers will be able to edit their service descriptions as well as features and benefits for all their services on both G-Cloud 5 and G-Cloud 6.
There will be full audit trails so that our support and assurance teams can check who changed what, and when. If we feel that this feature is being misused by a supplier, we’ll raise this with them. Suppliers will then have a chance to make the recommended amendments or revert to their original version.
Information and resources
Having access to helpful material or contacts is essential to navigating the commissioning process. We’re building on our content mapping work to provide an online area where users can go to access the information they need, when they need it. We’re also looking at how we interact with the service manual, spend controls, service assessments, Crown Commercial Service guidance and GOV.UK.
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2 comments
Comment by Richard Jones posted on
Is there any news on when the OJEU will be released for G cloud 7
Comment by Amy McNichol posted on
Hi Richard,
Please sign up to the blog to stay up to date with information. Dates will be announced on here.
Thanks,
Amy