Vic DoJ may break away from Microsoft

A spokesperson for the DoJ confirmed that the agency was considering conducting research and development to ensure that it was "best placed for options" after its software contract obligation to Microsoft expires in 2005.

The spokesperson remained tight-lipped about the nature and content of the proposed research and development exercise but indicated that it revolved around the department's software requirements.

Under its current arrangement with Microsoft, the DoJ is invoiced for software user licenses based on the number of computers in its fleet.

The DoJ is paying Microsoft AU$273 per year over three years for each desktop it owns, regardless of whether the software company's applications are installed on them or not.

Microsoft determines the number of PCs in the department electronically, streamlining the billing process. However, the deal effectively locks alternative software providers out of the department.

It is understood that the Department of Justice's IT division supports between 3,000 and 4,000 desktop computers.

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Why send vicorian, or even aus ...MrDamage -- 01/07/03

Why send vicorian, or even australian taxes overseas to a company that has proven itself to be criminally inclined, and unable to deliver upon its promises?

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Not only, but also $273x3=$819 ...Anonymous -- 01/07/03

Not only, but also $273x3=$819 per desktop, or $2,866,500 for 3,500 desktops.

That's pretty near the full retail price of Office Professional - what a deal! Given that most users have no use for Access, and many only use Excel infrequently, that's a lot of money for Word and occasional use of Powerpoint.

For the same money you could get OpenOffice and pay 20 full-time gun developers to create a Vic Gov. version. Then distribute it across the entire government for zero extra dollars. And give it away to anyone that wanted it. That's gotta save hundreds of millions.

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Fred, you're right on the mone ...Rodd Clarkson -- 02/07/03

Fred, you're right on the money.

Further, buy choosing an office package like OpenOffice.org (or StarOffice should staff need a database) you open up the option for using alternative platforms which could again lead to greater savings.

Further, the fact that OpenOffice.org's file format is openly published and based on XML greatly improves interoperability with other applications including scripting languages.

Maybe the Victorian government needs to reconsider whether it's contract with Microsoft is in the best interest of Victorian.

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MrDamage, it's worse than you ...Rodd Clakrson -- 02/07/03

MrDamage, it's worse than you think.

Sure $273 x 3 = $819.

As a reseller I can get Win XP Pro and Office XP Pro for $665.50.

Can anyone see anything wrong with this? Given that most workers don't need Office XP Pro, more savings could be made even if you only use
Windows.

It would be fair to assume that MS support is included, but let's be honest. If you sysadmin for 4000 desktop, you don't need to pay for support for each of these desktops. If 100 people have the same problem, 1 phone call to Microsoft to solve the problem should be enough.

Also, unless the Vic DoJ is buying these machines without Windows pre-installed Microsoft may also be double dipping.

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