Fujitsu siemens computers and computacenter partner to deliver hCI portal for small businesses

Bracknell, UK 2nd March 2005, Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) will be able to implement the Government’s Home Computing Initiative for staff (HCI) via a new online portal from Fujitsu Siemens Computers and Computacenter, the IT services specialist. The portal, which goes live today, will enable small businesses to manage and administer a HCI scheme online, reducing the administration costs involved in running the initiative.

The joint online initiative will allow employees to apply for a tax exempt loan of a Fujitsu Siemens Computers desktop PC or laptop which will come with the latest Microsoft software, full technical support, and a three-year warranty.    

The portal will be accessible by both employers and employees who will be able to seek more information about the scheme and make their order online via the Computacenter website, using a secure username and password.  Employers will be able to manage the financial aspects associated with the scheme online and arrange employees’ payments against the loan through a direct contribution from their salary, tax-free.  This can save employees up to 40 per cent off typical high street prices.

Roger Smith, HCI Sales Director Computacenter said: “We are launching this portal to help the SMB community enhance their employee benefits package and help them to compete with larger organisations when recruiting staff.  We are confident that it will be a great success and, by providing Fujitsu Siemens Computers equipment, employees applying via the portal will be able to get some of the best technology equipment available.”

Jeff Kirkham, HCI Business Manager at Fujitsu Siemens Computers said: “HCI is often associated with larger businesses that have more funds to implement and manage such schemes.  However, the SMB market is very important to us and we believe it is vital that they too have the necessary tools to offer the scheme to their employees.  By offering HCI as a benefit it can help SMBs to improve staff retention, whilst improving their ICT skills and creating more flexible working methods.”

Fujitsu Siemens Computers offers a full portfolio of PCs, monitors, laptops and associated options and will advise on the most suitable HCI model for each individual organisation.  Its products come ready to connect to the Internet and with a wide range of software options such as Microsoft Office, games, educational and photography software. It also offers customers e-learning packages in conjunction with its partners.

The portal has been built using a software platform provided by BizzApp Ltd.  This software has been in development for the last two years and is regarded as the de facto solution for SMBs looking to deploy HCI. 

Fujitsu Siemens Computers can provide a suite of financing solutions, offering alternatives to capital purchase and structured for on-balance or off-balance sheet funding.

To find out more please email   hci@computacenter.com