No Vista in sight for government computers
Computers in government departments connected to the Malta government Network won't be upgraded with Windows Vista, the new operating system from Microsoft, nor will new computer systems by government entities be procured with Vista already installed,...
Computers in government departments connected to the Malta government Network won't be upgraded with Windows Vista, the new operating system from Microsoft, nor will new computer systems by government entities be procured with Vista already installed, i-Tech has learnt.
Windows Vista was launched earlier this year and is visually more appealing and contains improvements in terms of networking and security when compared to Windows XP, launched in 2001 and found on the majority of Windows-based computers.
A memo issued a couple of weeks ago by the Malta Information Technology & Training Services Ltd (MITTS), the government's information technology agency, clearly states that "the utilisation of Microsoft Vista on government-owned computing devices as well as their connectivity to the Maltese government Network is not allowed at this time" and that this is "fundamental to ensure that no such introduction disrupts in any way the continued smooth operation and support of all government services throughout the entire technology stack."
The memo, however, reassured that "this does not, in any way, imply that the use of Vista is not being actively considered and will not be employed if considered beneficial and appropriate... If special circumstances and requirements do exist that necessitate the specific use of Vista, the proper exemption processes can be applied and followed, and which will provide such exemptions if considered appropriate and applicable."
This memo was issued in the wake of new guidelines on the purchase and lease of computers in the civil service issued recently by MITTS which imposes on new machines being equipped with the older Windows XP operating system but, also being 'ready' to accept Windows Vista.
In fact, the controversial call for tenders for the lease of 15,000 computers for the civil service called for computer systems running on Windows XP but, with technical specifications high enough to make them suitable to run Windows Vista, which needs more computing power than XP.
A spokesman for the Ministry for IT revealed to i-Tech that most probably government will adopt a mix of operating systems.
"The timing of this decision will be in sync with the deployment of the leased computers," he said.
Asked about MITTS' guidelines on the use of Windows XP and Windows Vista, the spokesman explained that "the requirement is intended to keep all government options open."
Under the enterprise agreement which is in force between MITTS and Microsoft Corporation, the former is provided with a wide range of technical support and advisory services on various subjects, including the adoption of new software, which is not limited to Vista.
The vertical strategic alliance between the Maltese government and Microsoft covers the adoption of Vista by government entities.
The software giant seems to have understood the position of the Maltese government on the adoption of Vista.
"The government is taking a reasonable and mature approach to the deployment of Vista in ministries and departments," according to Pierre Mallia, Microsoft country manager for Malta. "One must keep in mind that the government today runs numerous mission critical systems and a number of these have been running for several years now. Like in any such cases, the government needs to ensure that the introduction of any new element into its IT architecture does not affect the business continuity and performance of its systems. Conducting such testing is time consuming and requires a great deal of attention."
Mr Mallia reiterated Microsoft's support for Vista which is slowly taking the place of Windows XP.
"Vista has already proven to bring business benefit in a variety of areas including employee productivity, security and overall manageability. We will continue to work with MITTS towards its migration to Vista in the future."
While employees in government entities will have to wait to use Vista at the office, students and teachers who subscribed to the offer of acquiring Windows Vista and Office 2007 Suite at nominal price finally got their package, four months after the official launch of the software in Malta.
The ministry spokesman expressed satisfaction at the take-up of the offer but could not give a commitment on a re-issue of the package which is worth over Lm300 but is available for just Lm46.
"A re-issue would need to be discussed with Microsoft. For a limited time more packages remain available for other students (or teachers) who, after the conclusion of the untimely industrial actions there, will be able to collect packages from Maltapost offices," he said.
Windows Vista was launched earlier this year and is visually more appealing and contains improvements in terms of networking and security when compared to Windows XP, launched in 2001 and found on the majority of Windows-based computers.
A memo issued a couple of weeks ago by the Malta Information Technology & Training Services Ltd (MITTS), the government's information technology agency, clearly states that "the utilisation of Microsoft Vista on government-owned computing devices as well as their connectivity to the Maltese government Network is not allowed at this time" and that this is "fundamental to ensure that no such introduction disrupts in any way the continued smooth operation and support of all government services throughout the entire technology stack."
The memo, however, reassured that "this does not, in any way, imply that the use of Vista is not being actively considered and will not be employed if considered beneficial and appropriate... If special circumstances and requirements do exist that necessitate the specific use of Vista, the proper exemption processes can be applied and followed, and which will provide such exemptions if considered appropriate and applicable."
This memo was issued in the wake of new guidelines on the purchase and lease of computers in the civil service issued recently by MITTS which imposes on new machines being equipped with the older Windows XP operating system but, also being 'ready' to accept Windows Vista.
In fact, the controversial call for tenders for the lease of 15,000 computers for the civil service called for computer systems running on Windows XP but, with technical specifications high enough to make them suitable to run Windows Vista, which needs more computing power than XP.
A spokesman for the Ministry for IT revealed to i-Tech that most probably government will adopt a mix of operating systems.
"The timing of this decision will be in sync with the deployment of the leased computers," he said.
Asked about MITTS' guidelines on the use of Windows XP and Windows Vista, the spokesman explained that "the requirement is intended to keep all government options open."
Under the enterprise agreement which is in force between MITTS and Microsoft Corporation, the former is provided with a wide range of technical support and advisory services on various subjects, including the adoption of new software, which is not limited to Vista.
The vertical strategic alliance between the Maltese government and Microsoft covers the adoption of Vista by government entities.
The software giant seems to have understood the position of the Maltese government on the adoption of Vista.
"The government is taking a reasonable and mature approach to the deployment of Vista in ministries and departments," according to Pierre Mallia, Microsoft country manager for Malta. "One must keep in mind that the government today runs numerous mission critical systems and a number of these have been running for several years now. Like in any such cases, the government needs to ensure that the introduction of any new element into its IT architecture does not affect the business continuity and performance of its systems. Conducting such testing is time consuming and requires a great deal of attention."
Mr Mallia reiterated Microsoft's support for Vista which is slowly taking the place of Windows XP.
"Vista has already proven to bring business benefit in a variety of areas including employee productivity, security and overall manageability. We will continue to work with MITTS towards its migration to Vista in the future."
While employees in government entities will have to wait to use Vista at the office, students and teachers who subscribed to the offer of acquiring Windows Vista and Office 2007 Suite at nominal price finally got their package, four months after the official launch of the software in Malta.
The ministry spokesman expressed satisfaction at the take-up of the offer but could not give a commitment on a re-issue of the package which is worth over Lm300 but is available for just Lm46.
"A re-issue would need to be discussed with Microsoft. For a limited time more packages remain available for other students (or teachers) who, after the conclusion of the untimely industrial actions there, will be able to collect packages from Maltapost offices," he said.