Foreign Office signs £6m Microsoft deal

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has signed a three-year, £6m deal with Microsoft for IT support and new software applications licences.

The new deal, signed yesterday, will ensure a "modern and efficient IT system", the FCO said. Its desktop system, known as Firecrest, is based on Microsoft software.

FCO head of IT strategy Nick Westcott said in a statement: "This sets out the kind of principles we want underpinning the relationship between the FCO and its key business partners in IT.

"Our aim is to identify how new technologies can best serve the needs of FCO staff. We want to stay ahead of the game."

Westcott added the deal will help the FCO adapt to the "best new developments in IT". Microsoft's UK central government director, Steve Beswick, said: "It's a great demonstration of how we are deepening our engagement with UK government departments and improving partnerships."

Earlier this week the government revealed that it has saved £84m through its desktop software purchasing deal with Microsoft. Over one million licences have been supplied under the deal.