The Australian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry is working to deliver a range of free hardware, software and services to both the communities affected by the Victorian bushfires and the organisations supporting them.
Victorian Premier John Brumby announced the ICT industry initiative today during a visit to Healesville, personally thanking the generosity of the many suppliers contributing to the relief effort.
Coordinated by the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) with the support of Computers Off Australia and the Australian Computer Society, the industry-wide response will include the provision of free, fully operational computers to families and small businesses in need.
In addition to helping individuals and families in need, this initiative will also deliver assistance to support services that have been pushed to the limit by the scale of the crisis.
“Technology is critical to accessing essential services and redeveloping the productivity in these communities,” said Russell Yardley, Chair of the AIIA Bushfire Support Steering Committee. “Through this initiative, companies from across the Australian ICT industry will also provide the expertise required to ensure the best outcomes are achieved as quickly as possible.”
“Our aim is to provide affected people and businesses with the tools and infrastructure required to reconnect their communities,” said AIIA CEO Ian Birks. “This is a long-term commitment and the ICT industry has signaled it will stand by these communities as basic services are restored.”
AIIA will partner with the national not-for-profit Infoxchange Australia to create a website facility that will match the needs of people and businesses with the service and support offered by Australian ICT companies. The website will be launched shortly, replacing the interim registration system currently on the AIIA website.
“The Victorian ICT industry has already volunteered support through more than 30 different companies, ranging from multinational corporations to small local enterprises,” Mr Yardley said. “We expect to see more companies participating once the website facility is established.”
“AIIA is developing a similar support program for people hit by the Queensland floods,” said Mr Birks. “The support being offered from across the ICT industry to these relief efforts has been overwhelming.”
People in need of assistance can find our more and register their needs through the AIIA website.
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Some of the ICT companies offering support and assistance:
AMC Training Centre
Apple
Australian Computer Society (ACS)
Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA)
Australian Reseller News (ARN)
Aztec Technologies
Brookstone Technologies
Computer Associates (CA)
Computers Off Australia (COA)
CVT Global
Data#3
Decideware
Dell
e-Centric Innovations
eGov
Google
Hasee Australia
Hewlett-Packard
IBM
InfoXchange
Intel
KAZ Group
McAfee
Melbourne IT
Microsoft
Morphium3
NEC
PS Consulting Corporation
Simple Net
SMS Management & Technology
Technisoft
Telstra
Verizon Business
Waugh Partners