TransGrid makes the leap to Windows 7

NSW Government-owned electricity provider TransGrid will update its internal desktop operating system from Windows XP to Windows 7 and Office 2010 in November this year.

TransGrid owns and operates the NSW high voltage electricity transmission network, consisting of 83 substations and power station switchyards, 100 radio sites, and more than 12,439 kilometres of transmission lines. 

The electricity network operator currently outsources support services, including office automation, applications, hardware infrastructure and data communications to outsourcer Mincom.

It has approached the market for a supplier to design and deliver a new Windows 7 standard operating environment (SOE), by November 4 this year. 

TransGrid currently runs Windows XP and Office 2007. The latter will be upgraded to Office 2010 under the project. 

All of TransGrid's 1100 workers across Sydney, Newcastle, Tamworth, Orange, Yass and Wagga will be migrated onto the new SOE.

The devices of all 1100 staff will be re-imaged with Windows 7, while those with devices not compatible with Windows 7 or which require replacement will receive new devices. 

The successful supplier will need to package and deliver around 400 applications via Microsoft’s System Centre 2012 Configuration Manager and Flexera Sofware’s AdminStudio 11.5 initially, with an option to incrementally extend by 50 applications.

TransGrid will identify and provide resolution for legacy applications that cannot run on Windows 7 through the supplier. It did not provide a figure.