To agree the renewal of the current Microsoft Enterprise Agreement licence, support and maintenance contract covering all corporate (excluding schools, education and research) Microsoft computer software in use within the authority for a period of three years.

Geoff Cole, Interim Head of Information, Technology and Customer Services and Sandra Dallimore, Technical Services Manager presented a report which sought the Cabinet’s approval to renew the corporate Microsoft Enterprise Agreements.  Members were advised of the process of negotiating the renewal (which commenced in November 2007) and the attention of Members was directed to paragraph 12 that highlighted the fact that the Council could not use the cheaper NHS PCT software agreement, as it would break licensing laws.  Should this agreement not be renewed at this time, a new agreement with Microsoft would cost the authority an additional £102k over three years, for the provision of the same level of support.

It was acknowledged that as it was known that the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement would need to be reviewed prior to 31 March it should have been programmed on the Forward Plan.

In response to Member’s question regarding consultancy days, it was stated that the support provided to the authority would vary depending on the actual consultancy requested.

RESOLVED

THAT Cabinet :

(a)               note the funding available

(b)       approve that the contact be renewed in the sum of £645,000 over the three year period.