Business Briefs

Software deal to care for communications Mayne Nickless has signed a software licensing agreement with MedcomSoft, a Canadian-based health care information technology company. Mayne Nickless officials said the software has the potential to improve efficiencies and productivity to the group's health care network by allowing electronic communication links across its 47 hospitals, pathology and diagnostic imaging businesses, and the specialists, general practitioners and patients who use its services. Medworks can be used over the Internet and can operate on the Microsoft Windows computer operating platform www.maynick.com.auCabletron sells off Digital Network Products Group Cabletron Systems has agreed to sell its Digital Network Products Group, which sells networking solutions under the Digital brand name, to Gores Technology Group. Cabletron bought DNPG from Digital Equipment Corporation (now Compaq) in February 1998. Piyush Patel, chairman and CEO of Cabletron Systems said: "Closing of the transaction is subject to negotiation and execution of ancillary agreements; it is expected to close by the end of Cabletron's second fiscal quarter. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed".www.cabletron.com.auContenders go north for outsourcing contracts An Australian consortium will compete with multinationals for the Northern Territory government's $200 million information technology outsourcing tender. The NT government confirmed in mid-May that bids for three tenders would close by the end of July, and has indicated that some local content is preferable for the contracts. Two out of the three large multinationals that dominate IT outsourcing - CSC, IBM and IBM GSA - are expected to bid in tandem with local companies. Ipex Information Technology has joined with NT-based Entity Group Limited, to bid for all three tenders. If successful, the companies plan to work together in Southeast Asia. www.ipex.com.au