£500,000 'computer refresh' at South Tyneside Homes

The housing management organisation was created by South Tyneside Council to manage, maintain and improve its council homes and estates.

This week, council chiefs backed plans to extend a contract with an existing supplier to update computers, tablets and other equipment for housing staff.

The ‘desktop computer refresh project’ was prompted by an increase in support calls, ageing devices and a need to update software.

According to a report prepared for councillors, the estimated value of updating the housing firm’s computers will be between £404,000 and £525,000.

However, the project is also expected to provide savings of between £152,000 and £160,000 against “book price costs for the equipment purchased.”

“The proposed approach is to use an existing council contract that was established in 2019 for the refresh of council desktop services, devices and peripherals,” said councillor Joanne Bell, cabinet member for resources and innovation.

“The contract covers different types of computers such as PCs, laptops and tablets and peripherals such as docking stations.

“Using this contract will give South Tyneside Homes the same type of devices used within the council which will offer benefits around standardisation and support.”

Cllr Bell was speaking at acabinet meeting, which was held via videolink and broadcast on YouTube.

She added: “The existing devices used by South Tyneside Homes are now of an age where they are beginning to fail.

“There is also a requirement to upgrade the existing Microsoft Office software to maintain essential security standards.

“Replacing the devices during 2021 will help maintain the security of our ICT infrastructure and ensure employees of South Tyneside Homes have fit for purpose devices to work with.”

The South Tyneside Homes end-user desktop computer estate is made up of more than 510 laptops and desktop computers.

A cabinet report states replacement devices will be “secure and sustainable, future proofing them against the needs of South Tyneside Homes staff and services.”

It goes on to say: “Each year South Tyneside Homes pays around £2.9million to South Tyneside Council for services.

“Funding for the supply of the new devices will come from the council’s Digital and ICT capital programme as part of the broader funding arrangements.”

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