The Scottish Executive has finally introduced a home computing scheme to its 400,000 workers after it delayed plans to secure a better deal.
Sanjin Kaharevic, policy officer at the public sector organisation, said the proposal, which was originally scheduled for May 2004, was revised to encourage suppliers to offer a cheaper price.
As a result, it held a six-hour electronic reverse auction, described as a 'reverse Ebay', where home computing providers were required to bid against anonymous rivals, with the lowest offer securing the deal. Internal staff at the executive will now be able to receive discounted PCs through BT/Dell, as well as Fujitsu Siemens and Club IT, while other Scottish public sector employers will also be able to use the arrangement.