The Inland Revenue department has signed a strategic agreement with Hewlett-Packard for the supply and support of notebook computers, initially for a period of two years, renewable at the department’s discretion.
The deal involves an initial purchase of 378 notebooks, both as replacements and in new situations, but the IRD declines to put a value on the contract, claiming commercial confidentiality.
IRD normally buys laptops on a three-year renewal cycle, funds permitting, with a current notebook population of 900.
The agreement has been concluded after an evaluation and negotiation process that began with the issue of an open request for proposals to the market in February.
Deputy commissioner, business development and systems, Colin MacDonald says Inland Revenue is always looking to make it easier for taxpayers to fulfil their obligations. "One of the many ways we can do this is by improving the mobility of staff, enabling them to be more efficient in their work,” he says.
"This procurement initiative continues the implementation of our technology strategy, and will ensure that Inland Revenue has the most appropriate mobile solution to meet current and future business needs.”
Notebooks are becoming an increasingly important aspect of Inland Revenue's IT environment, MacDonald says, and are relied on ever more heavily in day-to-day operations. Features such as security, recovery solutions, connectivity software and enterprise manageability are of particular importance in managing a growing notebook fleet.