by Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

FORT PROVIDENCE (Dec 12/97) - A Fort Providence company has landed a GNWT contract worth $1.5 million.

SSI Micro has been given the nod to supply computer hardware in communities across the NWT in support of the government's health-management system, says SSI Micro's Jeffrey Philipp.

"They're putting in a new health-management system," he said during an interview last week. "Part of that is to put servers into all the communities using Ardicom."

All told, Philipp says that 12 companies made a pitch for the contract.

"What made our proposal was the fact we can offer service in Fort Providence, Yellowknife, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay through our partnerships with companies in those communities (where) we've installed ISPs (Internet Service Providers)," he said.

Trucks have been moving in and out of Fort Providence in recent weeks as SSI Micro has taken delivery of more than 400 computers and laptops as part of the contract.

Philipp also said that such contracts allow his firm to continue their efforts at offering computer training programs to residents of some of the North's most isolated communities.

"People in those communities will have work supporting this (system)," Philipp said.

This training and support will also benefit in advancing the GNWT's system of tele-imaging in health services.