Modern and efficient information technology (IT) and information management (IM) systems are crucial for effective service. The Provincial Government today announced that it is partnering with eight different companies to further its ongoing commitment to modernize the Information Technology (IT) and Information Management (IM) functions of government.

The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), announced the awarding of four separate contracts related to government�s data centre and IT and IM professional services requirements during an address to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (Nati).

"I am very pleased that our government has entered into partnerships with companies that offer us a range of abilities and resources as we continue to reform the technology functions of the Provincial Government," said Premier Williams. "These contracts represent a significant increase in the number of local IT companies providing long-term services to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and demonstrate our commitment to growing the IT sector. We firmly believe that modern IT and IM services in this province will help to pave the way to greater economic diversification, and we are proud to further invest in this important industry."

Three contracts will address government�s IT and IM professional services requirements over a three-year term. The first is awarded to a consortium led by MTS Allstream Inc. and includes Plato Group Inc., Infotech Canada Inc. and Tamarack Geographic Technologies Ltd; the second is awarded to Deloitte Inc.; with the third contract going to a consortium led by xwave and includes Triton Data Inc. and zedIT Solutions Inc.

Under a fourth contract, government�s data centre services will be provided by xwave over a five-year term. The requirements of Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation and Memorial University of Newfoundland are included in this contract.

"Over the term of these contracts we are making a minimum guaranteed investment of $47 million which will significantly influence growth in the province�s IT sector and best position government with a modernized and more efficient approach to information technology and information management," added Premier Williams. "While allowing improved services to residents and businesses, these investments will also figure heavily into this province�s competitive abilities in an increasingly changing global environment."

The four contracts are the result of two separate public Requests for Proposals issued by the OCIO in 2006. Initiatives undertaken thus far by the OCIO in modernizing government's information technology and information management functions will generate annual savings of $3.4 million.

Full text of Premier Williams� speech to Nati.

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Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960, 351-1227
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca 

Infotech Canada Inc. has a current staff of 30 and is committed to developing products and services that increase productivity in the workplace. Infotech was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in St. John's, with offices located in Ottawa and Halifax. Professional services and software solutions are targeted as the company�s key growth areas. Infotech is a leading Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.

MTS Allstream Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telephone Services (MTS) with 10 offices throughout Canada, including St. John's. Allstream is an IT and communications company with a strong emphasis on professional services, delivering IM and IT solutions and related management consulting advice. Its clients include many leading public and private North American organizations. Allstream has been in the professional services business for over 24 years and has four locations in Newfoundland and Labrador - a sales office plus three technical plant offices located in St John's, Gander and Corner Brook.

Plato Group Inc., a local IT consulting and software development firm, was established in 1997 and employs 19 full-time people. Plato is located in St. John�s with a sales and business development site located in Ottawa, Ontario. Plato provides information management consulting and software development products and services for government and healthcare organizations, public agencies and private sector clients across North America.

Tamarack Geographic Technologies Ltd. is based in Conception Bay South and has been growing a focused geographic information system business for more than 10 years. Tamarack has experienced tremendous growth over the past two years with the development of its enterprise geographic information systems services and associated integrated solutions, allowing the company to gain recognition as one of the leading GIS companies in the Newfoundland and Labrador technology industry.

Triton Data Inc. was established in 1976 and is a full-service software development and IT consulting firm with approximately 200 users across Atlantic Canada. Triton currently has 38 full-time employees. Along with specific knowledge of the insurance, financial and government sectors, Triton offers technical consulting and systems integration expertise in mature legacy and mainframe systems and the latest client-server and web-based technologies.

xwave, a division of Bell Aliant Regional Communications, is one of Canada�s largest IT organizations with over 1,500 employees who apply a broad range of technical and management experience to deliver practical and innovative systems and solutions. xwave has offices located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and the United States and serves over 1,000 clients.

zedIT Solutions Inc. was formed in 1992 and is a full-service IT consultancy with over 40 IT professionals. It offers specific expertise in the analysis, design, development and maintenance of business applications. zedIT has an award winning Web strategy practice that assists clients in the appropriate use of Internet technologies. Headquartered in St. John�s, with offices in Moncton, Halifax and Irvine, California, zedIT has a well-established and diverse customer base, serving clients across Canada and in California and Hawaii.

2007 03 16                                                      1:25 p.m.