Media release
New Zealand Defence Force awards Gen-i major licensing contract
Auckland – 16 December 2009 - The New Zealand Defence Force and Gen-i have extended their telecommunications and IT
services relationship with the award of a major new licensing contract.
The New Zealand Defence Force has awarded Gen-i a three year contract for Microsoft and other software licensing
management, as well as NetApp hardware procurement with enabling software.
The New Zealand Defence Force says as a result it anticipates reduced licensing costs, greater efficiency from its
licensing and significant procurement and operating efficiencies.
The New Zealand Defence Force is continually looking at ways of reducing costs while increasing productivity
New Zealand Defence Force’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), Peter Thomas, says reviewing how it buys software and
manages key vendors is key to achieving this goal.
“Appointing Gen-i as our Microsoft and licensing management partner will help us maximise our ICT investment and achieve
greater value for money,” he says.
“Gen-i has worked with us to ensure we make the most out of our existing investments and has delivered us an innovative
solution that allows us to achieve greater licensing efficiencies and further drive down costs.
“Gen-i understands our business and is regarded as a strategic ICT partner who has always looked after our needs. We
have worked closely together to achieve a great result that reaches across the entire organisation,” he said.
Gen-i was awarded the New Zealand Defence Force’s licensing contract following a competitive tender.
Chris Quin, Gen-i’s Chief Executive Officer, said Gen-i took the time to understand the requirements of the New Zealand
Defence Force and delivered a solution that would meet the agency’s current and future needs.
“As a preferred IT supplier to the New Zealand Defence Force, we are delighted to extend our existing relationship and
further help them achieve their goals,” he says.
“We’ve used our extensive licensing expertise and in-depth knowledge of the New Zealand Defence Force to deliver a
solution that delivers real business benefits.”
Gen-i currently provides New Zealand Defence Force with its desktop and laptop PCs and peripherals, managed data
services, enterprise PABX (voice), infrastructure and equipment and professional services.
About New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force comprises 9,835 Regular Force, 2,258 Reserve Force, and 2,711 civilian staff members
across the armed services of Navy, Army and Air Force, operating as Three Services As One Force.
New Zealand Defence Force’s mission is to secure New Zealand against external threat, to protect our sovereign
interests, including in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and to be able to take action to meet likely contingencies in
our strategic area of interest.
About Gen-i
Gen-i is at the forefront of helping customers take advantage of the convergence of technology and telecommunications,
and the new opportunities this makes possible. Gen-i works alongside its 3,300 corporate, government and business
customers to deliver seamless and integrated ICT solutions. A member of the Telecom New Zealand Group, Gen-i achieves
this with the support of over 3,000 highly skilled people in 17 locations across New Zealand and Australia. For more
information on Gen-i, visit www.gen-i.co.nz
ENDS