NHS signs enterprise deal with Novell

NHS Connecting for Health has negotiated a £21.8m deal with infrastructure and software services supplier Novell, which it claims will make it easier for the NHS to use open source products and software.

According to Novell the deal covers three main areas – identity products, desktop management and the ability for the NHS to make use of open source products within the high-end server segment of the market.

Dave Nicholls, Novell's NHS account director, told E-Health Insider that the identity services provided would enable integration between NHS trust's local identity management and that on the central NHS spine. Novell already works closely with BT on identity solutions.

On desktop management Nicholls said: "We're very much supporting what CfH is trying to do, such as electronic software distribution." He added that the NHS is already a major user of Novell network services and products. "We have over 400,000 NHS workstations using our product in some way."

Under the deal Novell's desktop distribution products - allowing automatic software updates - will enable the NHS to move to what CfH calls a 'pervasive managed desktop environment'.

Novell will create 'appliance-like' solutions – such as inventory solutions - using their ZenWorks technology that can be deployed across an NHS organisation in as little as two days.

Nicholls explained the part of the deal covering open source, focused on Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. "This is very much around the Local Service Provider's data centres and use in the larger trusts. It's a way to provide a choice on server platforms."

Chris Papayianni, Novell's vice-president consulting and services EMEA, told E-Health Insider that the deal provided the opportunity to expand the use of open source products in the NHS. "I think the opportunities for Open Source are very significant given Novell's ability to support this environment."

Novell consultants will work with NHS Connecting for Health to provide training for trusts to increase skills and capabilities on Novell products.

The enterprise wide agreement is the twelfth signed by NHS CfH on behalf of the NHS. The DH IT agency says that the deals gives the NHS best value for money and reduces the burden on NHS organisations, which would otherwise have to individually negotiate terms for their individual organisations.

NHS IT director-general Richard Granger stated: "We have punched the bottom out of pricing arrangements that have previously been suffered by the NHS and the wider public sector."

Papayianni described the negotiation with CfH over the past 12 months as "robust discussion" leading to a good deal. The agreement covers both existing and future products and has been designed to support the existing Novell installed user base.

Granger added: "This deal with Novell also reduces barriers for the NHS in using Open Source, as it secures access to an enterprise class open source platform along with, more importantly, affordable support, maintenance and training to help our NHS staff make the transition."

The deal gives NHS IT departments and their suppliers the opportunity to evaluate and use Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, which is said to reduce the total cost of ownership of running both clinical and non-clinical applications.

"This deal, which enhances Novell's strategic partnership with NHS Connecting for Health, will give the NHS a platform with unparalleled reliability and performance," said Jack Messman CEO of Novell.