IT specialists Dell have been appointed as the computer hardware supplier for the People's Network - an ambitious province-wide e-government technology projects for Northern Ireland.

The contract, valued in the region of £7 million over a 10-year period, will involve the provision of Dell's award-winning desktops, notebooks and servers along with associated peripherals and accessories, which will be deployed at the five Northern Ireland Education and Library Boards.

The Dell deal is part of an overall multi-million pound contract, awarded to Amey by the Education and Library Boards. Under the terms of the contract, Amey will provide a wide range of services including the provision and support of a new province-wide communications infrastructure, and common library management system software.

Considered as a key element in the government's vision of every citizen having access to the Internet, the programme will provide an increasing array of online services to the citizens of Northern Ireland.

The first roll out of hardware, software and peripherals is currently under way and 2,235 Dell desktops and notebooks will be installed in 132 different library locations by the end of March 2003.

Under the 10-year contract, all hardware and software will be refreshed twice with rolling implementation currently scheduled to commence in 2005 and 2008 respectively.

Approximately half of the desktop computers installed in the five Education and Library Boards will be available to the public, free of charge, while library staff will use the remainder.

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