The GAA is to roll out an integrated Microsoft service for all its clubs which it anticipates will enable easier communication and administration.
The Microsoft Office365 service will be made available to all clubs in Ireland and overseas, bringing together over 2,500 units within the association under a single computer infrastructure.
The more clubs that start to use the service the more data will become available to help address problems and issues that might seem like a very local issue but which may in fact have already been experienced and often resolved by clubs in other parts of the country.
The service will be available to all clubs from January 1st and will allow for easier management of calendars, documents and email databases. Clubs will still retain ownership and control over how their members details are managed and utilised but the new service will lead to improvement and consistney in how that is done.
“The GAA’s decision to enter into this agreement on Microsoft Office365 is a big milestone,” said Martin Cullen of Microsoft.
“Microsoft delivers secure and interoperable cloud services which increase productivity allowing organisations to reach their full potential. Microsoft Office365 will enable the GAA to streamline their processes and create a service which allows them to collaborate with their growing membership here in Ireland and around the globe.”
“Microsoft’s global devices and services vision will enable the GAA to grow its technology and communication tools into a one stop solution that fits all requirements,” added GAA IT Manager Declan Fanning.
“The immediate benefits will help to increase our administrators productivity while decreasing our overall annual licencing costs.”
Microsoft will also provide training material and training videos which will be uploaded onto the GAA eLearning platform. Training sessions will be provided online and in a teacher lead training environment to help officers get up to speed quickly on the new system. Ergo will provide a support desk and support email for users.
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