Qld pushes Microsoft into bulk deal

The Queensland Government has signed a whole of government memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Microsoft for the future purchase of software and services from the Redmond-based giant.

Robert Schwarten
(Credit: Queensland Government)

The agreement was forged by the Queensland ICT Minister Robert Schwarten, who last month took a two-week trip to the United States in an attempt to drive more value out of the $1 billion the state spends on ICT every year.

Schwarten told ZDNet.com.au that the MOU enabled individual government departments and agencies to "access pricing benefits which reflect the entire Queensland Government, regardless of their size".

"The Queensland Government currently deploys more than 100,000 desktops and laptops and more than 800 servers, excluding the education sector," he said. "So to consider the government's ICT needs as a whole, instead of departments on an individual basis, will give us greater bargaining power."

"This MOU also allows the Queensland government to take advantage of any national purchasing agreements that are signed in the future."

The Microsoft MOU was the only agreement signed during the minister's US trip.