The Steel division of Iscor has signed a "Microsoft Select Contract" with Microsoft SA for an estimated R 10 million in terms of which the organisation will acquire Microsoft software over the next two years.
The software will be supplied by Datacentrix, an accredited Microsoft Large Account Reseller. Datacentrix - recently listed on the JSE - will also manage the administration of Iscor`s licensing agreement with Microsoft SA.
Iscor`s Steel division encompasses its Head Office, together with Vereeniging, Newcastle and Vanderbijlpark operations. Together with affiliated companies, more than 6000 PCs are included in the contract. The contract may also be utilised by the rest of the Iscor operating units, which could increase the number of desktop machines to more than 10,000.
According to Iscor Steel`s chief Information architect, Barend van der Merwe, the contract was established as Iscor Steel has standardised on the Microsoft product suite for desktop environments.
"In addition to the existing base of Windows operating system and Microsoft Office on the desktop, we plan to roll out SMS and Windows NT platforms over the next 4 years. We are also considering Exchange as messaging backbone."
"The choice of Datacentrix as Large Account Reseller for this contract was driven by their innovative pricing approach, their extensive certification for applicable hardware and software environments. Their proven track record with administering Select contracts, their willingness to operate as partners with Iscor Steel and their track record as a supplier to Iscor also contributed to the decision."
Russell Dixon-Paver, IT Architect from Newcastle Works added that "The advantages of the use of standard software throughout the organisation are significant from effectiveness and efficiency perspectives.
"The main advantage of the Select contract is its flexibility, which will allow us to add users and infrastructure to the network as and when needed. As part of the larger restructuring exercise within Iscor we will be launching initiatives over the next two years to deploy standardised profiles within our PC environments over the organisation."
Senior account manager, Deon Insel, revealed that Datacentrix is working with Iscor on a number of other initiatives in moves to drive down the cost
of acquiring PC related items.
He said Datacentrix was selected for the contract primarily because of its strong partnership with Microsoft and the depth of expertise within the organisation that has been accepted as a Microsoft Recommended Support Point, and Microsoft Solution Provider on partner level.
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