Dear Sir With regard to the press release concerning global Microsoft licencing: any such deal would not only contravene public sector financial regulations regarding tendering for contracts, but would not be best value for UK tax and ratepayers. There are a number of effective alternatives to MS products in all areas, and many of these alternatives are available at minimal or no capital cost. Some even come with a licensing structure that allows unlimited use, which would eliminate IT administration cost associated with software audits. Further, many of the alternative products have performance and security advantages over their MS equivalents, lacking competitiveness only in the marketing departments. For a "professional association for ICT managers working in and for the public sector" to be promoting the hand-over of large amounts of taxpayers money to any company without due consideration for alternatives or the requirements of the public sector financial regulations is unacceptable. As a representative body you have a responsibility to be doing the exact opposite. I look forward to your response. Yours faithfully Chris Puttick IT Manager Central Manchester City Learning Centre