The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) has reported a modest response to its Whole-of-Government Desktop Hardware Panel in the three months since its launch.
The panel, initially run as an interim measure by the Department of Defence in early 2010, transitioned to a whole-of-government arrangement managed by AGIMO in October last year.
Since then, more than 2000 desktop PCs and 1000 mobile PCs are currently in use, according to AGIMO, but a far greater uptake is expected by the agency.
“It is estimated that in excess of 20,000 desktop PCs and 3000 mobile PCs will be purchased through the panel in its first year of operation,” a spokesperson told Computerworld Australia.
“The desktop scoping study estimated that $300-$500m worth of equipment will be purchased over the life of the panel.”
The panel is expected to be operational to August 2013, with two possible 12-month extensions.
Like AGIMO’s ICT services, printing, data centre, and telecommunications services, the desktop panel is aimed at reducing the cost of ICT hardware and services as well as simplifying the procurement process.
To date, 12 providers have been added to the panel, including Acer, Dell, HP and Lenovo, as well as services outfits Corporate Express, Data #3, CSG, and UXC Connect.
AGIMO has also recently encouraged public sector agencies to think about adopting Cloud-based services, with the release of a draft strategy paper to educate agencies on the delivery model and discuss potential future adoption for public-facing, unclassified services and information.
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