CSIR deploys Microsoft Office 2000

The CSIR has deployed 2 400 seats of Microsoft Office 2000 across its eight nationally distributed locations, replacing Corel as the office suite on the CSIR desktops. The software solution has been implemented to provide a `best of breed` productivity platform, to deploy technologies which support the research and business processes within the CSIR.

As a knowledge organisation, document sharing and online collaboration are a crucial part of the CSIR`s business. The implementation of Microsoft Office 2000 enables the CSIR to make information easily available to its internal and external customers. This enriches both the speed and quality of research and communication, since information and results can be published directly to the Web. The license agreement for the software was provided by Business Connection.

"In addition to providing connection to our customers, our intranet is becoming the primary access point for our knowledge bases, internal systems and customer information," says Celeste Hattingh, chief architect at the CSIR. "The Microsoft Office 2000 Server Extensions functionality allows our employees to publish and share information on the intranet. Another key issue for us when choosing Microsoft products was total cost of ownership (TCO). The product`s self-healing features is an example of services built into the product designed to reduce TCO. We found that by using a software distribution tool and the remote installation feature of Microsoft Office 2000, the rollout was extremely smooth and was completed much faster than anticipated."

"The CSIR required a system that would be able to leverage off the existing technology in the organisation to provide connectivity," says Benjamin Mophatlane, chief operating officer at Business Connection. "Microsoft Office 2000`s product features such as two-way Web collaboration and supporting of Internet standards, has addressed the CSIR`s requirements for simpler and more effective communication."

"The key to working smarter at the CSIR has been to provide employees with easy access to the information they require, as well as the ability to share it with others," says Craig Nielsen, enterprise partner manager at Microsoft South Africa. "Another element of information collaboration required by the CSIR, is the ability to integrate external partner and customer processes with its own. Microsoft Office 2000 features such as online discussions and meetings, `publish and subscribe`, and support for HTML round-tripping allows users to collaborate in a Web-based environment."

"Our business is innovation which is enhanced through collaboration," says Hattingh. "We require the best tools and technology to support these processes and Microsoft Office 2000 offers the functionality which can leverage our organisational productivity."