Open standards a crucial element in the GOLD-workspace
The Dutch Ministry of Finance has signed a contract with Getronics by which the ICT service provider will assist the government in developing a new standardised workspace for up to 21,000 employees from 22 government organisations including seven ministries.

The project for the joint development of a uniform desktop, known as GOLD, is based on Getronics' Future-Ready Workspace™ concept. The aim is to create a working environment that is fully future-proof and in which employees can work together securely at any time and from any location. The government itself will look after the further development of the workspace, the management of the workspace infrastructure and the deployment of the business applications. Because the GOLD-workspace actively supports open standards, the departments can start to develop their own central systems based on these standards, which can then be linked seamlessly to GOLD.

During the 'Proof of Concept' period, Getronics amply demonstrated its ability to satisfy all of the specifications and requirements included in the GOLD European Tender. The concept was built and tested on various systems run by GOLD-participants, following clearly established testing protocols.

"The project will provide greater and more flexible co-operation within the government. This new ICT working environment will enable interdepartmental co-operation to be supported efficiently manageably and securely," says GOLD project manager, Jan Arnoud ten Cate of the Dutch Ministry of Finance. "Through the joint administration that will be set up for the GOLD workspace, GOLD will make a major contribution to the goals that were set in the National Renewal programme."

"Our strong focus on workspace services has been rewarded with the confidence that the Dutch government has shown in our approach," says Erik van der Meijden, CEO of Getronics. "With Future-Ready Workspace, Getronics is providing a reliable solution that enables collaboration and in which all workspace functionalities can be managed within a modular ICT working environment."