Unisys announced today its Australian subsidiary has signed a $240 million contract with the Australian Department of Defence.

The deal covers a range of support services to 460 defence locations across Australia and more than 100,000 desktops.

This includes network security, infrastructure support, server and desktop support.

Deputy secretary of defence support Martin Bowles said the deal covers an initial five year term following a transition period of an estimated 18 months duration.

There is an option for two future contract extensions, each of two years duration.

Unisys Asia Pacific president of global outsourcing and infrastructure services, Tony Henshaw, said Unisys will also standardise all IT support processes nationally.

"Unisys and its personnel will be required to undergo the same security clearance processes as Defence personnel," he said adding that Unisys has been an ongoing member of the Defence Industry Security program for nearly 10 years.

"Under the contract, Unisys anticipates streamlining IT support services nationally by resolving second and third level helpdesk queries faster and more effectively.

"There are also plans to improve coordination and consistency of IT processes nationally, so that the 460 Defence locations will receive the same high quality level and speed of service.

"These measures are expected to help reduce the cost of IT operations for Defence while providing improved services."

This deal sits alongside an existing $200 million IT services contract with Kaz, a Telstra subsidiary.

Defence has had serious IT support and help desk support problems with KAZ [[ArtId:740848139|.

Only last year the Kaz Group axed 200 staff following a company review.

In the last two years, Unisys has signed a contract with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for the delivery of selected IT services including a single dedicated service desk, secure gateway services, end to end user computing services and cross functional services.

This is in addition to providing biometric solutions and services as part of the DIAC Enhanced Border Control Program.

The Australian National Audit Office has also recently renewed a contract with Unisys for the delivery of selected IT services for a further two years, extending a ten year outsourcing relationship.