§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to update computer(a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in his Department. [166365]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Department reviews its software and hardware assets regularly to ensure they meet the organisation's business needs.
Office Automation and Desktop Software:
The Department is currently undertaking a project to upgrade our Microsoft Windows NT and Office 97 software to the XP versions. Licences to use the software have already been purchased under the Office of Government Commerce's (OGC's) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft.
Electronic Document and Record Management (EDRM):
We are negotiating a site licence for the Oracle relational database software to support the DfT system. We intend to use the OGC MOU with Oracle for this purchase. This will licence the use of the standard Oracle software for all DfT users.
Other software:
The SAP Finance system, the Peoplesoft HR system and our Group Wise e-mail system are all covered by support agreements that include software upgrades and helpdesk support.
Hardware:
It is expected that the move to Windows XP will not require any fundamental change to PC hardware, which will continue to be replaced on an "as needs" basis, with desktop hardware replaced when it has reached the end of its useful life.