ABC on the hunt for Apple, Google and Windows tablets

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) plans to expand its use of tablets PCs as well refresh its desktops and laptops.

Adam Bender (Computerworld)
05 June, 2012 10:58
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The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) soon plans to significantly expand its use of tablet PCs, according to new tender documents released by the national broadcaster.

“The ABC currently uses a limited number of tablet computers, however their use is expected to increase significantly in the near to medium future,” the ABC said in the documents. The ABC seeks “a supplier that can provide a range” of tablets running Apple iOS, Google Android and Microsoft Windows.

As of April, the ABC was using 50 tablets, compared to 5,600 desktops or laptops with Windows and 230 by Apple.

The broadcaster intends to shortly set up a panel of preferred suppliers for the devices along with a “comprehensive range of computer equipment including Windows Products (desktops, laptops, and rack mountable computers), Apple Products (desktops, laptops, and other Apple devices), tablet computers, and accessories for all desktop computing equipment (excluding those items generally classified as consumables) for use in its national network, and to provide related services.”

The ABC wants Windows desktops in varying form factors, including mini towers and workstations, and laptops with screens of 13 inches or less, about 14 inches and 15 inches or greater. “Suppliers should be able to supply the entire range of current Apple products,” the documents read.

The ABC seeks queries on the request by June 20 at 3 p.m. and responses by July 5, it said. The ABC plans to evaluate responses from July to August, execute a contract in September and commence the contract in October, it said.

The ABC operates out of 60 locations throughout Australia including each capital city and 54 locations across regional Australia. The number of computers in each location vary, with 3,000 computers in Sydney, 1,000 in Melbourne and 140 in Darwin. The company has about five computers in smaller, regional outposts and 60 in the larger regional office of Newcastle.

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