Top Computer Firms Put Kids First

‘Barry Hastings, managing director Hewlett-Packard New Zealand (left), Kimbal Riley, managing director CSC New Zealand (right) at Kidz First’

TOP COMPUTER FIRMS PUT KIDS FIRST

New Zealand, 21 August, 2000 –

Hewlett-Packard and CSC in New Zealand have combined resources to power the administrative functions of the new South Auckland children’s hospital, Kidz First.

Hewlett-Packard, New Zealand’s top PC supplier (IDC May 2000) donated NZ$160,000 worth of equipment - personal computers, monitors and laser printers – for use at patient registry, as health monitoring systems, and also in the education facilities.

IT services leader, CSC New Zealand, enabled the implementation process, from project planning and coordination through to technical and engineering services. It is also providing ongoing technical support.

Hewlett-Packard New Zealand’s managing director, Barry Hastings, says he’s delighted to support a facility that puts kids’ health first.

“Hewlett-Packard has a long history of supporting children and the communities in which they live. The Kidz First sponsorship not only fitted with our philanthropy programme, it also gave us an opportunity to further build our partnership with South Auckland Health,” says Mr Hastings.

Kimbal Riley, managing director, CSC New Zealand, is equally enthusiastic about the partnership. He says that, as the local representative of a large global company, CSC is keen to ‘walk the talk’ of being a good corporate citizen.

“CSC is committed to contributing at a local level to community causes where we feel our contribution will make a real difference, and Kidz First was a perfect opportunity for us to do this,” he says.

Kidz First admitted its first patients on 12 July this year. Currently it is operating a surgical ward that includes a specialist burns treatment facility. The next stage, the medical unit, is planned for completion in November and will take total bed numbers to 82.

Pam Tregonning, executive director, South Auckland Health Foundation says the support of founding sponsors like Hewlett-Packard and CSC is vital to the ongoing health and development of Kidz First.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of these ongoing partnerships to us. Aside from the obvious benefits Hewlett-Packard and CSC offer, there are numerous other supporting activities they provide.

“For instance, Barry Hastings from Hewlett-Packard gave some of our sick children and their families access to the America One syndicate during the America’s Cup campaign. And CSC’s staff, including Kimbal Riley, have devoted many unpaid hours to driving and managing the computer systems implementation.

“The generosity of our partners is fantastic,” says Ms Tregonning.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple appliances, useful e-services and an Internet infrastructure that's always on.

HP has 86,000 employees worldwide and had a total revenue from continuing operations of $42.4 billion in its 1999 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

About CSC

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) commenced operation in the Australia and New Zealand region in 1970 and is now a one billion dollar Australasian company. CSC helps clients in industry and government use information technology to achieve strategic and operational objectives. With 60,000 employees in more than 800 offices worldwide, the company tailors solutions from a broad suite of integrated service and technology offerings, including e-business strategies and technologies; management and IT consulting; systems development and integration; application software; and IT and business process outsourcing.

Globally, CSC had revenues of US$9.4 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. For more information, visit www.csc.com

Ends

For further information, including digital photographs, please contact:

On behalf of Hewlett-Packard New Zealand On behalf of CSC
Penelope Barr Jane Clement
Tel: +64 9 306 1801 Tel: + 64 9 303 1633
Fax: +64 9 302 7169 Fax: + 64 9 303 1632
Mob: 025 835 383 Mob: 021 217 7114
Email: peneb@beyondpr.co.nz Email: jane@allanboyle.co.nz

Pam Tregonning
Executive Director
South Auckland Health Foundation
Tel: + 64 9 276 0044 ext 2812
Fax: +64 9 270 4749
Mob: 025 916 350
Email: ptregonning@middlemore.co.nz

Note: Caption for accompanying digital photograph

‘Barry Hastings, managing director Hewlett-Packard New Zealand (left), Kimbal Riley, managing director CSC New Zealand (right) at Kidz First’

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