North-West government invests in IT with Microsoft

The North-West Provincial Government is currently upgrading its Microsoft technology platform across 2 000 desktops. As part of the deployment, Microsoft is investing more than R350 000 worth of training to internal staff, as well as committing to working with the Provincial Government in establishing Digital Villages in the Province over the next three years.

The three year Microsoft Enterprise Agreement was signed through Eclipse Computer Services to upgrade the existing software to Office 2000 and Windows 2000. In addition, a migration path to Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft SQL Server is currently in planning phase. The overriding reason for the upgrade is to standardise the Government`s IT infrastructure, which will lead to cost savings and improved service delivery. The new technology platform will allow for better communications, enabling the North-West Provincial Government to share information with other Government Departments.

"Since the upgrade, we have seen a stabilisation of our IT system, which means that support costs have decreased," says Mammathe Makhekhe, acting director of IT at the North-West Provincial Government. "The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement met our criteria for a cost-effective software licensing solution and combined with the investment by Microsoft, means that our staff are empowered to use the full capacity of the technology solution."

To establish the Government`s IT requirements, Eclipse ran a full IT audit and worked with the various official hardware suppliers to offer the best solution. "To save costs through standardisation requires a full understanding of the entire IT infrastructure for effective consultancy," says Patrick Venter, general manager for sales and marketing at Eclipse. "The benefits of standardisation are important for running an effective organisation."

The investment by Microsoft includes training Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers, Microsoft Certified Professionals, project managers and Microsoft Office User Specialists at the North-West Government.

"By providing the North-West Provincial Government with more than just an IT solution, we are able to contribute to the growth of the Province as a whole," says Sibonelo Ngubane, government industry manager at Microsoft South Africa.

"Digital Villages provide local communities with access to the tools with which to upgrade their IT skills," says Gina Wessie, community investment manager at Microsoft South Africa. "Technology is playing an increasing role in people`s daily lives - whether at work or at home - therefore it is important that the private sector work with the Government to deliver high-tech benefits to those who need it."