OCRE cloud framework
An EU-compliant procurement framework for cloud infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and associated software as a service (SaaS).
About the OCRE cloud framework
When you need access to cloud services – such as infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and complementary software as a service (SaaS) – you want a simple, compliant solution that gets you up and running quickly and cost-effectively.
Procuring from a cloud provider on your own can be complex and time-consuming. By purchasing services via the OCRE cloud framework you get predictable, safe and cost-effective access to a portfolio of cloud providers across Europe – so you can find the EU-compliant solution you need.
The framework is based on the previous GÉANT IaaS framework with an expanded scope, established by the OCRE (Open Clouds for Research Environments) project consortium led by GÉANT, to help accelerate cloud service adoption in the education and research community.
Why procure via the framework?
By accessing services via the OCRE cloud framework, you can:
Save time and money
- Quickly find compliant suppliers, saving resources compared to the time and money you’d spend procuring a service in-house
- Cost-effective pricing - purchasing power is increased because demand is aggregated across Europe
- Network traffic costs are limited, with egress charges either discounted or free
Get peace of mind
OCRE conducts due diligence on contracts, providing peace of mind in terms of compliance and, where possible, better legal conditions than you are likely to find by approaching suppliers independently. A standard, negotiated call-off agreement applies to all suppliers on the framework
You can also be assured that data handling and storage will meet European and national regulations.
Make the most of our world-class Janet Network
Suppliers and services on the framework are connected to the Janet Network, either directly or via GÉANT, so you make the most of the high-capacity, low-latency Janet Network.
Benefit from the simplicity of single sign-on
If you're a member of the UK Access Management Federation, your users can use their home organisation login to access the portals of some of the cloud providers on the framework – using eduGAIN, which interconnects identity federations around the world.
Like the UK Access Management Federation, eduGAIN uses the de facto standard protocol, SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language).
Eligibility
Higher education institutions, further education colleges and Research Council establishments in the UK are eligible to use the framework. Services are also available to other organisations, such as local authorities and other bodies who are members of higher and further education purchasing consortia.
Services available via the framework
Each supplier provides their own cloud management portal, giving you a centralised view of your accounts and helping you understand how cloud services are used across your organisation. They also provide dashboards showing you full details of metering, billing, analytics and reporting. The services available through the framework include but are not limited to the following:
| Service | Jisc Cloud Solutions / AWS | Phoenix Software / Azure | Sparkle / GCP | Quistor / OCI | VSHN / Exoscale | Setcor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytics | Amazon Kinesis | Azure Stream Analytics | Cloud Dataflow | Oracle Analytics Cloud | ||
| App hosting | Amazon Elastic Beanstalk | Azure Cloud Services | Google App Engine | Oracle Application Container Cloud Service | VSHN AppOps and APPUiO Cloud | |
| Automation | AWS Opsworks | Azure Automation | Compute Engine Management | Terraform and Scripted automation | ||
| Block storage | Amazon Elastic Block | Azure Managed Service | Persistent Disk | Oracle Block Storage | VSHN Kubernetes Storage | Setcor storage |
| Compliance | AWS CloudHSM | Azure Trust Centre | Google Cloud Platform Security | Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Vault | VSHN Managed Hashicorp Vault | |
| Computing | Amazon Elastic Compute & Cloud (Amazon EC2) | Virtual Machines | Compute Engine | Oracle Instance Compute | Exoscale Computing Instances | Setcor VM |
| Cloud-specific container | Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS) | Azure Container Service | Container Engine | Oracle Application Container Cloud Service | ||
| Cloud-agnostic container | Amazon EKS | Azure AKS | GKE | Kubernetes, Docker | Exoscale Scalable Kubernetes Service SKS | |
| Content delivery network (CDN) | Amazon CloudFront | Azure CDN | Cloud CDN | Content Management | Exoscale CDN | |
| DNS services | AWS Route 53 | Azure Traffic Manager | Cloud DNS | Oracle DNS | Exoscale DNS | Setcor DNS services |
| Identity and access management | AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) | Azure Active Directory | Cloud Identity and Access Management | Secure Identity and Management Service | Exoscale IAM, VSHN Managed Keycloak | |
| Key management services | AWS KMS | Azure Key Vault | Google Cloud KMS | Key Management Service | VSHN Managed Hashicorp Vault | |
| Load balancing | Elastic Load Balancing | Load Balancing for Azure | Cloud Load Balancing | Oracle Load Balancer | Exoscale Network Load Balancer | |
| Log monitoring | Amazon CloudTrail | Azure Operational Insights | Cloud Logging | OCI Logging | VSHN Managed ELK, EFK, Logstash | |
| NoSQL database option | AWS DynamoDB | Azure Document DB | Cloud Datastore | Oracle NoSQL Database Cloud Service | Exoscale DBaaS Kafka, OpenSearch, Redis | |
| Notifications | Amazon Simple Notification Service (Amazon SNS) | Azure Notification Hub | Oracle Notification Service | |||
| NoSQL database option | AWS DynamoDB | Azure Document DB | Cloud Datastore | Oracle NoSQL Database Cloud Service | Exoscale DBaaS Kafka, OpenSearch, Redis | |
| Object storage | Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) | Azure Blob Storage | Cloud Storage | OCI Object Storage | Exoscale Simple Object Storage (SOS) | Setcor S3 storage |
| Performance monitoring | Amazon CloudWatch | Azure Application Insights | Stackdriver Monitoring | Oracle Monitoring Service | ||
| Private connectivity | AWS Direct Connect | Azure Express Route | Cloud Interconnect | FastConnect | Exoscale Virtual Private Cloud | Setcor MPLS/VPN |
| Performance monitoring | Amazon CloudWatch | Azure Application Insights | Stackdriver Monitoring | Oracle Monitoring Service | ||
| Relational database | Amazon RDS | Azure Relational Database | Cloud SQL | Oracle Database, mySQL, ADW, Exadata | Exoscale DBaaS PostgreSQL, MySQL, VSHN Managed MariaDB/Galera | |
| Scaling options | AWS Auto Scaling | Azure Autoscale | Auto Scaler | Autoscaling | Autoscaling Kubernetes | |
| Serverless computing | AWS lambda | Azure Functions | Google Cloud Functions | OCI Functions | OpenShift Serverless and Knative | |
| Virtual network | Amazon VPC | Azure Virtual Network | Cloud Virtual Network | Virtual Cloud Networking | Exoscale Virtual Private Cloud | Setcor private VLAN |
How to access the services
To simplify the purchasing process, OCRE has designated one supplier for each respective cloud platform per country. You can purchase the Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud services through their respective resellers (see table below), as well as from a variety of original infrastructure providers (OIPs).
| Platform | Supplier |
|---|---|
| 100 Percent IT cloud platform | 100 Percent IT |
| Amazon Web Services | Jisc |
| Blue Safespring cloud platform | Blue Safespring |
| Cleura cloud platform | Cleura |
| CloudFerro cloud platform | CloudFerro |
| CloudSigma cloud platform | CloudSigma |
| Exoscale | VSHN |
| Google Cloud Platform | Sparkle |
| IBM Cloud | SoftwareONE |
| Ionos | Bechtle |
| Microsoft Azure | Phoenix |
| Open Telekom Cloud | T-Systems |
| Oracle Cloud | Quistor Enterprises |
| Orange cloud platform | Orange |
| OVHcloud Public Cloud | OVHcloud |
| Proact cloud platform | Proact |
| Setcor cloud platform | Setcor |
Watch our supplier workshop webinars to find out more about each platform
We invited our cloud providers to a series of workshops featuring presentations and question and answer sessions.
- OCRE supplier workshop introduction - download the keynote introduction transcript (.docx)
- 100 percent IT webinar recording - download the 100 Percent IT webinar transcript (.docx)
- Bechtle for IONOS webinar recording - download the Bechtle for IONOS webinar transcript (.docx)
- City Network webinar recording - download the CityNetwork webinar transcript (.docx)
- CloudFerro webinar recording - download the CloudFerro webinar transcript (.docx)
- CloudSigma webinar recording - download the CloudSigma webinar transcript (.docx)
- Jisc Cloud Solutions for Amazon Web Services webinar recording - download the Jisc Cloud Solutions for Amazon Web Services webinar transcript (.docx)
- Layershift webinar recording - download the Layershift webinar transcript (.docx)
- Orange webinar recording - download the Orange webinar transcript (.docx)
- Phoenix Software for Microsoft Azure webinar recording - download the Pheonix software for Microsoft Azure webinar transcript (.docx)
- Proact webinar recording - download the Proact webinar transcript (.docx)
- Quistor for Oracle Cloud webinar recording - download the Quistor for Oracle Cloud webinar transcript (.docx)
- Safespring webinar recording - download the Safespring webinar transcript (.docx)
- Setcor webinar recording - download the Setcor webinar transcript (.docx)
- Sparkle for Google Cloud webinar recording - download the Sparkle for Google Cloud webinar transcript (.docx)
- T-systems webinar recording - download the T-Systems webinar transcript (.docx)
- VSHN for Exoscale webinar recording - download the Exoscale webinar transcript (.docx)
We invited our cloud providers to a series of workshops featuring presentations and question and answer sessions.
- OCRE supplier workshop introduction - download the keynote introduction transcript (.docx)
- 100 percent IT webinar recording - download the 100 Percent IT webinar transcript (.docx)
- Bechtle for IONOS webinar recording - download the Bechtle for IONOS webinar transcript (.docx)
- City Network webinar recording - download the CityNetwork webinar transcript (.docx)
- CloudFerro webinar recording - download the CloudFerro webinar transcript (.docx)
- CloudSigma webinar recording - download the CloudSigma webinar transcript (.docx)
- Jisc Cloud Solutions for Amazon Web Services webinar recording - download the Jisc Cloud Solutions for Amazon Web Services webinar transcript (.docx)
- Layershift webinar recording - download the Layershift webinar transcript (.docx)
- Orange webinar recording - download the Orange webinar transcript (.docx)
- Phoenix Software for Microsoft Azure webinar recording - download the Pheonix software for Microsoft Azure webinar transcript (.docx)
- Proact webinar recording - download the Proact webinar transcript (.docx)
- Quistor for Oracle Cloud webinar recording - download the Quistor for Oracle Cloud webinar transcript (.docx)
- Safespring webinar recording - download the Safespring webinar transcript (.docx)
- Setcor webinar recording - download the Setcor webinar transcript (.docx)
- Sparkle for Google Cloud webinar recording - download the Sparkle for Google Cloud webinar transcript (.docx)
- T-systems webinar recording - download the T-Systems webinar transcript (.docx)
- VSHN for Exoscale webinar recording - download the Exoscale webinar transcript (.docx)
Start using the framework
To find out more about the OCRE cloud framework, contact your relationship manager and view the buyers' guide (pdf).
You can also read a list of frequently asked questions (pdf) regarding the framework, contracts, and adoption funding.
In addition, the OCRE Cloud Catalogue provides details of the suppliers available in each country under the framework.
Service level description
Service description
The OCRE cloud framework is an easy, safe, cost-effective, predictable and EU compliant solution which gives you access to a portfolio of IaaS cloud providers across Europe.
Charges
Jisc applies a 3.5% administration fee for using the framework.
Your responsibilities
Selection of supplier: by using the framework, you can make a direct award to any participating supplier. Alternatively, you can run a mini-competition if something other than standard services is required.
Hours of service
The enquiry service is available during the business day. The business day is defined as Monday to Friday. It excludes 24-31 December and all English public holidays.
Request for service
Telephone 0300 300 2212 or via email to cloudframework@jisc.ac.uk
Service delivery time
An initial response to an enquiry sent to Jisc will be given within 24 hours. Your reseller will be able to advise on delivery times for services and products requested.
Terms and conditions
Organisations wishing to use the OCRE cloud framework will need to sign an access agreement form before Jisc can supply the cloud provider’s contact details and price list.
Escalation
If you have issues that you wish to escalate, please see the complaints and escalation page for details.
Please refer to Jisc's behaviours for an overview of our roles under the OCRE cloud framework.
Service description
The OCRE cloud framework is an easy, safe, cost-effective, predictable and EU compliant solution which gives you access to a portfolio of IaaS cloud providers across Europe.
Charges
Jisc applies a 3.5% administration fee for using the framework.
Your responsibilities
Selection of supplier: by using the framework, you can make a direct award to any participating supplier. Alternatively, you can run a mini-competition if something other than standard services is required.
Hours of service
The enquiry service is available during the business day. The business day is defined as Monday to Friday. It excludes 24-31 December and all English public holidays.
Request for service
Telephone 0300 300 2212 or via email to cloudframework@jisc.ac.uk
Service delivery time
An initial response to an enquiry sent to Jisc will be given within 24 hours. Your reseller will be able to advise on delivery times for services and products requested.
Terms and conditions
Organisations wishing to use the OCRE cloud framework will need to sign an access agreement form before Jisc can supply the cloud provider’s contact details and price list.
Escalation
If you have issues that you wish to escalate, please see the complaints and escalation page for details.
Please refer to Jisc's behaviours for an overview of our roles under the OCRE cloud framework.
Jisc's OCRE roles and behaviours
Jisc’s mission is to power and empower our members with the technology and data they need to succeed. To achieve this mission we want to afford choice and value to our members, ensuring support for members’ access to the highest quality services and technology providers.
Jisc is the operator of the OCRE cloud framework for the UK. As such we have an important role to ensure that eligible users of the framework can be reassured and have absolute confidence in the impartiality and quality of the advice and guidance that they receive from Jisc.
Jisc’s role encompasses supporting services to members that include those that are sold and delivered directly by Jisc; sold and delivered through direct partnerships with suppliers; and also those services that are sold independently of Jisc but delivered by the nominated partners of technology platforms, available frameworks and other means.
At Jisc we are absolutely committed to ensuring that members have unbiased, impartial and fair access to all of these services not favouring one over the other. That there are no barriers to members obtaining the best possible support from suppliers and their partners accessible via frameworks or other routes.
With respect to the OCRE cloud framework these are the behaviours you can expect to see from Jisc:
- Promote the cloud platforms that are available through OCRE on a fair basis
- Advise members impartially about the available cloud platforms and suppliers on the framework, taking into account their stated preferences and requirements
- Be transparent about why a particular piece of advice has been given
- Involve the cloud platform providers and resellers in conversations with members where this has been requested by the member or where the platform providers and reseller are able to answer a member question more directly
- Operate in a way so that where appropriate and practical there is separation of relevant system access, people and communications to ensure that framework and supplier activities remain independent and do not permit for application in a way that could be construed as gaining an unfair advantage
- Use our in-house capability and credibility to reciprocally reinforce the value of the framework and help grow understanding of the benefits of public cloud platforms with members
- Provide advice and consultancy to members that is couched in terms of their requirements that is nonbiased with respect to ensuring the best possible outcome for the member
- Privileged and/or commercially sensitive information that is shared with respect to the framework consumption and other commercial information or with respect to suppliers will be with be handled with confidence and discretion and only shared with other parties at the mutual agreement of the respective owners of that data. Jisc will use privileged information only with respect to the context that the information has been provided
Jisc’s mission is to power and empower our members with the technology and data they need to succeed. To achieve this mission we want to afford choice and value to our members, ensuring support for members’ access to the highest quality services and technology providers.
Jisc is the operator of the OCRE cloud framework for the UK. As such we have an important role to ensure that eligible users of the framework can be reassured and have absolute confidence in the impartiality and quality of the advice and guidance that they receive from Jisc.
Jisc’s role encompasses supporting services to members that include those that are sold and delivered directly by Jisc; sold and delivered through direct partnerships with suppliers; and also those services that are sold independently of Jisc but delivered by the nominated partners of technology platforms, available frameworks and other means.
At Jisc we are absolutely committed to ensuring that members have unbiased, impartial and fair access to all of these services not favouring one over the other. That there are no barriers to members obtaining the best possible support from suppliers and their partners accessible via frameworks or other routes.
With respect to the OCRE cloud framework these are the behaviours you can expect to see from Jisc:
- Promote the cloud platforms that are available through OCRE on a fair basis
- Advise members impartially about the available cloud platforms and suppliers on the framework, taking into account their stated preferences and requirements
- Be transparent about why a particular piece of advice has been given
- Involve the cloud platform providers and resellers in conversations with members where this has been requested by the member or where the platform providers and reseller are able to answer a member question more directly
- Operate in a way so that where appropriate and practical there is separation of relevant system access, people and communications to ensure that framework and supplier activities remain independent and do not permit for application in a way that could be construed as gaining an unfair advantage
- Use our in-house capability and credibility to reciprocally reinforce the value of the framework and help grow understanding of the benefits of public cloud platforms with members
- Provide advice and consultancy to members that is couched in terms of their requirements that is nonbiased with respect to ensuring the best possible outcome for the member
- Privileged and/or commercially sensitive information that is shared with respect to the framework consumption and other commercial information or with respect to suppliers will be with be handled with confidence and discretion and only shared with other parties at the mutual agreement of the respective owners of that data. Jisc will use privileged information only with respect to the context that the information has been provided
Visit our cloud blog
For the latest OCRE news, events and case studies.