HP, Microsoft simplify IT management

Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft have unveiled details of a three-year pact to spend $250 million in an effort to help simplify IT systems, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The tech giants say systems will be designed to use existing data centres, managed through a common framework, to allow customers to integrate private or public cloud computing models.

HP and Microsoft will collaborate on the Windows Azure platform, with the companies offering services and Microsoft continuing to invest in HP hardware for the Azure infrastructure.

Telecom services provider Bharti Airtel has inked a multi-year contract with public sector firm Rural Electrification Corporation for end-to-end network management services, states Indlaw News.

As per the agreement, Airtel will manage REC's complete enterprise resource planning (ERP) backbone, including the data centre and the entire network connecting Delhi Corporate Office and 18 project and zonal offices across the country, says the company.

The telecom firm will also supply, install and manage the hardware security and network equipment, besides setting up a standby server centre infrastructure.

Public sector budget cuts after the 2010 UK general election could lead to schools actively outsourcing their ICT, according to a survey by Redshift Research on behalf of ICT provider The Stone Group, says Computing.co.uk.

The study found that budgetary restraint was the top concern for 84% of schools in 2010.

Stone Group technical services manager Richard Stockdale argues that historically there has been a reluctance to outsource IT in schools. “But then they have never faced a situation like this one, where the funds available will be reduced,” he adds.