DFAT in big system refresh

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has approached the market for a new telecommunications expense management software and support service.

The department’s data telecommunications are based on an IP WAN, delivered via satellite and terrestrial links. It also uses a mixture of ISDN or multi-line services, analogue connections, domestic internet connections, mobile communications and satellite phones.

DFAT has 4000 staff spread around Australia and the globe. Its workers also access systems on their GSM mobiles, iPhones, iPads, BlackBerries and via USB mobile broadband.

It has been using a solution from telecoms management company Quickcom to serve its telecommunications expense management software requirements.

The department wishes to deploy a TEM system that can provide telecommunications and bandwidth billing, internal finance/budget and analysis reports, an SAP interface for external payments, tracking, audit logging, security, data retention and uploading and device and service tracking, backed by a supplier that can provide technical support and training.

The government body will sign the contract with the successful tenderer(s) in mid-June, in the hope of switching over from its current TEM software by the end of August. 

The contract period runs for four years with two one year extensions and will cover software licensing, implementation; ongoing support, service and maintenance; training and documentation.