Media Release
Ministry of Education confirms software agreements for schools
21 August 2009
The Ministry of Education has signed contracts to provide schools with computer operating systems, office suites, anti-virus and web filtering software for the next three years.
Renaissance, Novell and Datacom will provide applications and support for Apple, Novell, Symantec and Microsoft software to schools. Telecom and Watchdog will provide web filtering and firewall products.
“The agreement covers almost 200,000 computers and provides schools with certainty for the next three years,” says Howard Baldwin, Acting Manager, e-Learning.
“With the only major change being new anti-virus software, schools will not have to spend significant amounts of time learning new products and systems. This means they can get on with their core role of teaching.”
The Ministry of Education ran an open tender to identify the best possible options for providing software and support to schools.
“During the evaluation process a broad range of options were considered. Serious consideration was given to new options including the use and promotion of open source products and emerging technologies such as Software as a Service,” says Howard Baldwin.
“Schools will still be free to use any product they wish to. A number of schools are using open source software or browser based alternatives and they will continue to have this choice.”
After considering a range of options for software licensing and support, the Ministry of Education decided to continue with arrangements for Microsoft, Apple and Novell software.
“These agreements provide price certainty for the Ministry and continuity of service for schools.”Media contact
Jodi Ihaka
Phone 027 283 6122
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