Johannesburg, 31 Jan 2006
The new University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), which incorporates the former Universities of Natal and Durban-Westville, has selected IT infrastructure, solutions and service provider, Datacentrix as one of the primary companies to assist in the roll-out of HP desktops over the next few years.
The desktop project forms part of the annual computer replacement where UKZN undertakes to replace about 25% of all desktops used by staff and students at its five campuses (Edgewood, Howard, Medical School, Pietermaritzburg and Westville).
According to Ashodh Rajaram, IT Manager: Client Services at UKZN, the university standardised on HP desktops as these computers offered the best options at the time of the tender in July 2004. Datacentrix was selected; among the factors considered were the previous track record of delivering high quality services to the university and the company`s strong BEE credentials.
"Datacentrix has been involved from the planning stages of the desktop roll-out ensuring a good understanding of the challenges facing the university, such as tight deadlines, complex campus logistics and specialised user requirements. UKZN staff resources allocated to this project must be used effectively and it is therefore imperative that the computers are delivered timeously to the correct location."
Rajaram says the university has seen a number of tangible benefits from the desktops already implemented. "We constantly strive to reduce TCO and the current desktop projects have assisted in a number of aspects, particularly in saving both time and money with all computers arriving with preloaded software as specified by UKZN. We have also installed software to track the desktops via the network as there is a tendency for users to relocate computers without informing the ICT division."
Says Marlene Brady, account manager at Datacentrix: "The University of KwaZulu-Natal is a truly committed African organisation so Datacentrix`s consistent rating as one of South Africa`s most empowered companies proved to be a strong match.
"In addition, our commitment to HP as one of the company`s largest value partners with a direct contract with HP across the entire range of hardware products, including those acquired in the Compaq merger, was integral to this contract win."
For more information, please visit www.datacentrix.co.za.
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