Becta lists 16 VARs for IT Infrastucture Services Framework supply

Channel players go to top of the class with education agency’s certification

By Laura Hailstone

14 Aug 2006

Be the first to comment

  • Digg
  • Tweet

Sixteen VARs have received a stamp of approval from the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) for the supply of IT infrastructure services to schools and colleges across the UK.

Following a six-month evaluation period, which included on-site audits, Becta last week revealed the VARs that had made it onto the three-year IT Infrastructure Services Framework list.

Greg Allport, corporate and media relations manager at Becta, told CRN: “Although a lot of schools are starting to use IT, for many it is a new concept and can cause costly problems, so having the right support is crucial. The 16 suppliers we have selected had to meet strict criteria, which should give schools peace of mind when selecting a supplier.”

VAR Northgate Information Systems, one of the 16 approved suppliers, said the status will help it with its aggressive growth plans.

“Although we still have to go out and win the work ourselves, the Becta approval will hopefully enable us to sell to any educational institution across the UK,” said Stuart Gunning, client director at Northgate.

Gerard Toplass, divisional director for software and services at reseller Azzurri Communications, said: “We are delighted that Azzurri has been granted this certification. This official recognition serves to demonstrate our commitment to the sector. We believe we can make a difference to the lives of teachers and students in the UK.”

Rafi Razzak, chairman at Centerprise International, said: “It [the certification] is a testament to our engineering service and our education team. It fits with our plans to grow our managed services business.”

The 16 VARs awarded Becta framework supplier status are:

Azzurri Communications, Centerprise International, Computer Systems in Education, Egton Medical Information Systems, Ergo Computing, European Electronique, Gaia Technologies, HBS Business Services Group, Linetex Computers, Northgate Information Solutions, Ramesys, Research Machines, Serco, Stone Computers, VT Four S, XMA

>> Further reading:

Becta reveals line-up for consultancy framework

Becta review could see Microsoft VARs lose out

display:none
Loading
We won't publish your address
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms & Conditions

Your comment will be moderated before publication.

Will Apple's attitude to the channel change in 2012?

51%

21%

27%

1%

CRN Partner Connect 2012

CRN Partner Connect logo

CRN's premier networking event is back on 17 May at the Ricoh Arena

Date: Thu 17 May 2012

CRN Fight Night 2012

One of the fights from CRN Fight Night 2010

Channel fighters preparing to square up once more on 24 May

Date: Thu 24 May 2012

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Submit your email address and we'll send a link to a personal newsletter control panel

fragment image

The mobile enterprise: Secure the data, not the device

The proliferation of endpoint devices within the enterprise has highlighted the shortcomings of one of the traditional approaches to data security

fragment image

Measuring the ROI of Google Apps

This Forrester report compares the costs and benefits of legacy email and productivity software with Google Apps


Dave the dealer blog

Dave the dealer

Clocking off

Dave discovers that rozzers are seemingly living in the technology dark ages

View from the channel

Views from the Channel

Departing CEO has done Dixons a service

Mark Needham, founder of distributor Widget, argues that John Browett leaves for Apple with Dixons in better shape than when he arrived

To send to more than one email address, simply separate each address with a comma.