SBL fights on the front line

Five-year MoD deal will see VAR supply front-line troops with rugged tablet PCs and secure services and support

VAR Software Box (SBL) has bagged a five-year, £30m contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Under the terms of the contract – known as the Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions (JAMES) contract – SBL will work with rugged computer designer and manufacturer Getac to supply encrypted rugged hardware, software, licences and services.

It will include the supply of 12,500 Getac rugged tablet PCs for use by front-line commands.

Deborah Gardner, MoD business development director at SBL, said: “SBL and Getac’s combined expertise in information assurance and rugged hardware means that this partnership can guarantee results for the MoD, even in the most hostile environments.

“This contract is a great endorsement of our effectiveness and our ability to deliver on the complex and demanding requirements of customers such as the MoD,” she added. “Our success in winning the contract for the JAMES project is based on our competitive pricing, great service and 22-year track record in delivering hardware, software and information assurance to the MoD.”

Peter Molyneux, business development director for Getac in the UK, said: “We are confident that SBL’s ability to delivery quality service, software and support, coupled with Getac’s ability to offer some of the most rugged computers available, will make a strong contribution to the JAMES projects and the capability of our armed forces.”