Civil Service saves £2million on technology agreement with Microsoft

The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) will save £2million over the next three years by renewing its Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft.

The three year renewal of the agreement made in 2006 enables the recently established NICS Shared Service Organisation to continue with its technology refresh programme and explore opportunities to exploit new technologies.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement, worth £2million, in Clare House, Belfast, NICS Shared Services Organisation Director Paul Wickens said: "This renewal agreement with Microsoft will result in around £2million savings for the NICS over the next three years. This agreement not only builds on the strategic relationship that the NICS has with Microsoft but, in the current economic climate, represents real value for money for the NICS."

David Orr, DFP Director of Corporate Services added: "This agreement will enable the NICS to make best use of the investment made in Microsoft technologies over the last three years to find solutions to increasingly complex business challenges."

Klaus Holse Anderson, Corporate Area Vice President, Microsoft Western Europe concluded: "We are now in a position to assist the NICS to enhance their Shared Service, and help to deliver even better citizen services to NICS customers across Northern Ireland.

"We will also focus on contributing to the NICS objectives to reduce costs and increase efficiencies, by enabling better collaboration and streamlining of associated business processes through the provision of key enabling technologies and solutions."

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