[LINK] ATO/EDS article in The Australian

[M. da Cruz]

I tend to side with Mr Growder. Having been heavily involved in
standardising on corporate purchasing, pricing for a user pays project
many years ago and extensive work since in a variety of corporates, most
corporate users do not appreciate the Network context at all. 

This is not to say there isn't a story here, but it isn't in the
evidence presented.

Marghanita
David Boxall wrote:
<snip>
> > Under its five-year outsourcing contract with multinational EDS, the ATO
> > pays $821.12 for an all-in-one scanner/printer/fax/copier that sells for
> > $357 at retailer Harris Technology.  Likewise, it pays $163.40 for every
> > ergonomic keyboard ordered, but they are available at Harris for as little
> > as $31.
> >
> > Internal product and service lists obtained by The Australian show that a
> > computer sound card costs the ATO $172.45, but Harris sells them for $69;
> > likewise a 15-inch monitor costs the ATO $460.65, compared with less than
> > $300 elsewhere.
> >
> > One ATO staffer complained that he tried for nine weeks to obtain a
> > necessary upgrade for his computer.  The ATO would be charged $250 for the
> > $32 piece of hardware if and when it arrived, he said.
<sno[?
> > Tax First Assistant Commissioner John Growder admitted that some prices
> > were high, but said the charges must be seen in context.
<snip>
> > "They would not be seeing a whole range of charges for networks, call
> > centres and mainframes, which are huge ticket items and more competitively
> > priced."  Equipment service and support was included in all prices, he
> > said.  "On balance, we think we have a good deal."
<snip>
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz 
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