Times Media Ltd in R3.6m Microsoft roll-out with Enterprise Connection

Publishing house, Times Media Ltd, has signed a Microsoft Volume Select Licensing agreement with Enterprise Connection, part of the JSE-listed Connection Group, for the supply - over three years - of a 500-user enterprise license for Microsoft back office products. As part of its Year 2000 compliancy drive the group is also in the process of upgrading an estimated 200 486-based PCs to Pentiums.

The total contract is valued in the region of R3.6m.

Mark Brierly, executive director of electronic media at Times Media Ltd, said that the company is also in the process of upgrading its outdated office automat i on platform from a 150-user Novell 3.11 network, situated at Times Media House in Rosebank, Johannesburg, to a Microsoft NT network.

This is expected to be implemented by the end of the year. In addition to the 500-user enterprise-wide license, Times Media has signed for an additional 250-user license. "Five hundred users will be using the entire Microsoft product suite, while the additional 250 will predominately only be using Microsoft Back Office."

"This whole process is part of a general IT upgrade and our ongoing Year 2000 drive, which is expected to be completed before year end. Besides the volume Microsoft Select Licensing agreement struck with Enterprise Connection, the group has also placed an order for 200 Pentium-based PCs, which will be replacing 486 machines which are not Y2K compliant ."

Marius Nel , manager of the Network & Software Consulting division at Enterprise Connection, said the company is the largest largest Microsoft DLAR - and currently accounts for 60% of the Microsoft Select agreements in SA.

He said Enterprise Connection has been a Microsoft LAR (Large Account Reseller) for over four years and was one of the first resellers to sign a Microsoft Select Agreement in SA.

"This is due to the fact that it is a focus of our business and a division has been set up specifically to administer and manage these contracts. We have in-house , speciali st Microsoft Select Licensing ersonnel who personally administer and maintain these accounts," said Nel .

The company was appointed as a Microsoft DLAR in January 1998.

Microsoft Select Agreements currently held and administered by Enterprise Connection include companies such as Alpha Limited, Anglo American Corporation, Nampak Group, Nasionale Pers, Gold Fields SA Limited, Mitsubishi Corporation, DHL International and Alusaf.