Open source company wins Becta accreditation

• Monday, 22 September 2008

The government agency responsible for ICT in schools announced today that an open source company has become an accredited ICT services supplier to UK schools. Sirius Corporation plc is one of twelve companies to have successfully tendered for Becta's “Software for Educational Institutions Framework” agreement.

The framework agreement was conducted by OGCbuying.solutions, an executive agency of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in the Treasury.

Following its accreditation, Sirius is now an approved point of contact for any UK schools looking to improve educational outcomes, facilitate home school links and address the digital divide using open source software.

The accreditation of Sirius is also a tacit acknowledgment by the UK government that open source companies can compete on a level playing field for public sector business.

Becta's procurement frameworks for education provide a simple way for local authorities and schools to purchase ICT products and services, without having to conduct a full EU procurement process.

John Spencer, Head of Education at Sirius said: “We are pleased to have shown that open source software is ready for educational institutions and that Sirius has the resources to support its increasing use.

"Students, schools and the taxpayer can now use open source software with the assurance of an EU-backed scheme."

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

About Becta

Becta is the UK Government's lead agency for information and communications technology (ICT) in education and oversees the procurement of all ICT equipment and e-learning strategy for schools.

The Software for Educational Institutions Framework agreement was conducted by OGCbuying.solutions, an executive agency of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in the Treasury. The framework enables local authorities and schools to buy ICT products and/or services above the EU procurement threshold value (£139,893) from approved suppliers with levels of service, defined to meet the needs of education. More information about Becta's Procurement Frameworks can be found at http://localauthorities.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=pf

About Sirius Corporation plc

In the past ten years Sirius Corporation has developed a solid industry reputation for helping schools, universities, councils and grids for learning to deploy well integrated and manageable network infrastructure using Open Source software. For more information visit the Sirius website or call Tom Callway on +44 870 608 0063.

www.siriusit.co.uk

This press release was distributed via SourceWire, a service from Daryl Willcox Publishing, on behalf of Sirius. For more information visit http://www.dwpub.com/pressreleasewires