Scheme to renew Department's ICT infrastructure

THE Department of Education is seeking Tynwald’s approval to renew its Information Communications Technology infrastructure.

Tynwald will this month be asked to approve the expenditure of £440,880 on work that will enable the Department’s communications to be incorporated into the Connect Mann network.

The Department needs an intranet that is a high speed, wireless network linking together all schools and other locations. The network needs to provide around 1,000 teachers and 12,000 students with email, internet access, administrative processes and educational applications, ICT Adviser Graham Kinrade explained.

‘The proposal will renew the physical infrastructure and bring the Department’s school curriculum and administration networks onto the Connect Mann network backbone. This will provide a high availability, secure service, while maintaining the flexibility the Department requires. The new system will enable development of the excellent base already established and take forward new opportunities for the development of the service and sharing of information across Government,’ Mr Kinrade said.

He added.

‘The physical infrastructure that supports the network has been in place for almost six years and is in need of replacement in order to avoid disruption or total failure of service through equipment malfunction and escalating maintenance costs. The renewal will also enable capacity to be increased to cope with increasing demands when the further development of Integrated Children’s Services occurs.’

The total cost of the project is £992,186. Of that, £539,306 for the integration with Connect Mann is to be met by the Isle of Man Government’s E commerce/ICT fund. Tynwald has already approved pre-contract and enabling expenditure of £12,000.

Subject to Tynwald’s approval being obtained, work will start as soon as schools close for the summer holidays and be finished before the autumn term starts.