03 July 2006
MUSCAT -- The Information Technology Authority (ITA) yesterday signed an agreement with Microsoft for licenses to use Microsoft desktop products.
The government will invest RO6.5 million to procure licenses for Microsoft desktop products.
Through a formal agreement on licensed software, the Omani government is endeavouring to protect copyrights of legal software.
On behalf of the government, Mohammed bin Nassir Al Khusaibi, secretary-general at the Ministry of National Economy and chairman of ITA, signed the agreement, which is valid for three years. Engineer Sami Mohammed Al Lawati, country manager of Microsoft Oman, and Maqbool Hameed Al Saleh, chairman of International Information Technology (an OHI group company), have also signed the agreement as Microsoft's direct large account reseller and Microsoft gold certified partner in Oman.
"Oman is keen to protect the Intellectual Property Rights, in line with global standards. This agreement is aimed at speeding up the implementation process of Digital Oman initiatives. The agreement will cover usage of licensed Microsoft desktop products in 22,500 desktops across various government organisations," said Dr Salim bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, CEO of ITA.
"We believe in long-term partnership. Microsoft, having operations in Oman since 2000, is very pleased to be partnering with the Oman government, in its e-government initiatives," said Sami Mohammed Al Lawati.
This agreement will encourage advanced level of technology utilisation within the government sector, and will support 'Digital Oman' initiative as a three-pronged approach: Accelerate the use of new technologies in the government sector by providing required products as well as training to the users; expedite national level implementation of knowledge-based projects for which Microsoft through this agreement will reinvest funds and support the eOman initiative; and build capacity within the community to create the knowledge society through the concept of knowledge houses wherein the community has access to modern technologies, and all are encouraged to engage in self-paced learning of Information and Communication Technologies.
In a bid to update all IT directors and heads of government departments, ITA has proposed to organise a series of programmes in September this year.
MUSCAT -- The Information Technology Authority (ITA) yesterday signed an agreement with Microsoft for licenses to use Microsoft desktop products.
The government will invest RO6.5 million to procure licenses for Microsoft desktop products.
Through a formal agreement on licensed software, the Omani government is endeavouring to protect copyrights of legal software.
On behalf of the government, Mohammed bin Nassir Al Khusaibi, secretary-general at the Ministry of National Economy and chairman of ITA, signed the agreement, which is valid for three years. Engineer Sami Mohammed Al Lawati, country manager of Microsoft Oman, and Maqbool Hameed Al Saleh, chairman of International Information Technology (an OHI group company), have also signed the agreement as Microsoft's direct large account reseller and Microsoft gold certified partner in Oman.
"Oman is keen to protect the Intellectual Property Rights, in line with global standards. This agreement is aimed at speeding up the implementation process of Digital Oman initiatives. The agreement will cover usage of licensed Microsoft desktop products in 22,500 desktops across various government organisations," said Dr Salim bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, CEO of ITA.
"We believe in long-term partnership. Microsoft, having operations in Oman since 2000, is very pleased to be partnering with the Oman government, in its e-government initiatives," said Sami Mohammed Al Lawati.
This agreement will encourage advanced level of technology utilisation within the government sector, and will support 'Digital Oman' initiative as a three-pronged approach: Accelerate the use of new technologies in the government sector by providing required products as well as training to the users; expedite national level implementation of knowledge-based projects for which Microsoft through this agreement will reinvest funds and support the eOman initiative; and build capacity within the community to create the knowledge society through the concept of knowledge houses wherein the community has access to modern technologies, and all are encouraged to engage in self-paced learning of Information and Communication Technologies.
In a bid to update all IT directors and heads of government departments, ITA has proposed to organise a series of programmes in September this year.
By Special Correspondent
© Times of Oman 2006
