City Council signs up for Microsoft XP software

Belfast City Council is among the first organisations in Ireland to sign up as an enterprise customer for Microsoft’s latest operating system, Microsoft® Windows XP.

All PCs and laptops within the Council will have the new software installed over a two-month period starting this month.

Microsoft will work in partnership with Belfast-based IT consulting and training specialists SureSkills, which opened an office in the city in May this year.

The deployment of Windows® XP is part of an Enterprise Agreement between Belfast City Council and Microsoft which entitles the Council to automatic upgrades for a range of Microsoft Windows and Office software over the next three years

Tom Orr, General Manager of Information Services, Belfast City Council said: “Windows XP is the right choice of desktop software for Belfast City Council because it will provide the reliability needed for corporate applications.

“We expect this rollout to result in a reduction in calls to the service desk, increased reliability with the movement to e-government, and improved security.

“This adoption demonstrates that Belfast City Council is fully committed to embracing leading edge technologies in preparation for the digital age”.

Derrick McCourt, Government Business Manager for Microsoft in Northern Ireland, added: “Windows XP is the ideal platform for the enterprise environment and we are delighted that Belfast City Council is at the forefront of the deployment of this technology.

“The performance, reliability and ease of use of Windows XP will prove to be a great asset to Belfast City Council and all our enterprise customers”.

SureSkills was selected as the Implementation and Training partner for the proposed Windows 2000 Server, Exchange 2000 Server and Systems Management Server implementation. (MB)