Microsoft Signs $617 Million Windows 8 Contract With US Gov't
Microsoft’s products to be utilized by U.S Army, Air Force, and Defense Information Systems Agency.
Microsoft has signed a licensing agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) related to its latest operating system, Windows 8.
The three-year deal, which is worth $617 million, sees the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) all granted access to Microsoft products. The U.S. government will consequently have access to the software giant's technological developments in data center consolidation, cyber-security, mobility and cloud computing.
The deal is the largest licensing agreement Microsoft has signed with the U.S. DoD. It covers nearly 75 percent of its personnel, with the contract itself being awarded to Microsoft’s large account re-seller, Insight Enterprises.
"Microsoft has longstanding relationships with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and DISA, and we are honored to expand our support of ongoing technology modernization efforts across all three organizations," said Tim Solms, general manager of Microsoft’s Department of Defense Business. "This agreement enables us to provide the best technology tools to an incredibly broad range of servicemen and servicewomen across the DoD, and we are looking forward to implementing to support their mission goals."
Microsoft said the DoD will have access to new tools including Share Point 2013 Enterprise, which can "unlock new levels of cross-agency information sharing," with its social communications features able to advance "intelligence and reporting capabilities."
Step 1: click desktop mode
Step 2: learning curve is over.
Well, at least it's fairly secure.
I would say slow news day, but right now CES is underway so this doesn't make sense.
Usually, the military is very obtuse about new tech, it generally waits a couple of years before adopting new tech anything. Heck, on my ship we were using windows 3.11 fwg's, but that's the Navy and I don't see them in this deal. The Navy is hardcore when it comes to tech, it's not just some pilots' life in danger if something goes wrong, it's a whole shipload of men and women...
I even remember when the AF tried to jump on the apple bandwagon and someone found out ios was unsecure so they turned their back on it for a while but then went back...
Step 1: click desktop mode
Step 2: learning curve is over.
You obviously don't work with the general populace, don't you?
It's also just after a large (and expensive) election.
LMAO
Where did it say the DoD was running win7? Meanwhile, Microsoft raves about how many Win8 licences they sold. How about just returning the desktop to its former glory, Microsoft, and watch people accept win8 with open arms?
Any agreement would ALLOW win 8 but that doesn't mean they will ever roll out even 1 copy...LOL. This Zak guy keeps wasting my time. I was going to be shocked by a win8 DOD announcement, but this isn't one.
Sad isn't it? What do I mean? Oh, just how many people who post on a tech forum can't get what you said into their heads. And they're veterans/addicts/experts... cringeworthy.