Cyprus has embarked on a significant journey towards digital transformation by entering into an €8 million Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft, a move set to revolutionize the public sector’s efficiency on the island. The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy signed the agreement, which will provide Microsoft 365 software licenses for 10,000 users.
This strategic partnership includes a comprehensive suite of modern tools designed to support a wide range of tasks and processes within the public sector. The agreement grants access to licenses for email services, secure collaboration, document handling tools, cloud computing services, and project management tools. A custom user interface will also be developed to streamline work item management.
Specialized Microsoft personnel will offer support services, and implementation services will be provided by Microsoft contractors or certified partners. Additionally, executive training is part of the package to enhance the digital skills of public sector officials.
Deputy Minister Nikodemos Damianou views the signing as the dawn of an expansive cooperation with Microsoft, which is expected to make a transformative contribution towards achieving Cyprus’ strategic objectives. The government’s vision is to create a modern, digital state that efficiently serves its citizens and businesses, with the private sector being a crucial partner in this endeavor.
Yanna Andronopoulou, Managing Director for Greece, Cyprus, and Malta at Microsoft, emphasized the agreement’s importance for Cyprus’s digital future. She stated that it underscores Microsoft’s commitment to significantly contributing to the establishment of a more modern and efficient state for all.
This groundbreaking agreement is anticipated to play a key role in implementing a flexible work framework in the public sector, where the use of collaboration tools is essential. It marks Cyprus Government’s first strategic agreement of this magnitude, promising sweeping improvements in public sector operations and enhanced citizen services.
