Virgin Media Business has been selected as the preferred supplier for the the West Midlands Public Services Network (WMPSN), which is expected to save participants around 5 million a year.
The procurement of a public services network for the region has been underway since April, when an invitation to tender was sent out.
The project, which is being led by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, aims to let schools, hospitals, emergency services and local government offices within the West Midlands share IT services and information.
Along with the council, other public sector partners signed up to take part in the project include Warwickshire County Council, Birmingham City Council, Worcestershire County Council, West Midlands Police, Herefordshire County Council and the Black Country Local Authorities.
It is hoped the project will save these parties more than 1.5 million a year, although this figure is expected to exceed 5 million as the number of public sector organisations involved rises.
Councillor Robert Hulland, Solihull Council's cabinet member for resources, said the organisation is looking forward to starting work on its shared services vision.
"The service has been procured to enable any public service organisation in the West Midlands (including health, fire, police, third sector and local government) to enjoy these [cost] savings. Indeed, as more organisations join, the cost to all participants reduces, which will drive out greater savings," Hulland added.
Mario Di Mascio, executive director of sales at Virgin Media Business, added: "PSNs are a great way for councils to save costs today and invest in the future. By sharing services and the economies of scale that come from collaborative procurement, public sector agencies can transform the way they work and the services they provide citizens."
