The Hindu Business Line : BSNL decides to deploy HP’s disaster recovery solutions

New Delhi, May 14 Despite concerns raised by some of the IT vendors, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has gone ahead and decided to deploy disaster recovery solutions from HP.

The move comes even as BSNL’s own technical committee had observed that solution provided by Sun Microsystems or EMC may be deployed for its GSM cellular project in North and East zones.

BSNL’s board took the decision to amend the technical committee report after Ericsson submitted a written request to deploy the HP solution.

In a letter dated April 18, the Swedish equipment vendor, which is implementing BSNL’s GSM project, wrote to the state-owned company that they be allowed to use HP’s solution in three zones.

“HP is the incumbent vendor for storage in North, East and West zones and hence by using HP solution, BSNL will have the least time for commissioning. BSNL has indicated that they want implementation to be finished within 3 months of the purchase order and by continuing with HP, this can be achieved,” Ericsson had written in its letter.

It also said that since BSNL employees were already trained and skilled on HP’s storage solution, it would be easier for the PSU to manage. “By continuing to use HP, BSNL will avoid any migration exercise, which is a very complex activity,” said the letter.

Other IT vendors

However, other IT vendors, rival to HP, had pointed out to BSNL that changing the technical committee’s report could be detrimental and was against procurement norms.

They pointed out that BSNL had earlier rejected a bid from Sun Microsystems, for the National Internet Backbone phase 3 project, as it was not allowed to change the mix of the solution offered during the evaluation process.

“HP’s disaster recovery solution was clearly not accepted by the technical committee and the same was reflected in the purchase order issued to the main bidder (Ericsson). It is not understood as to how the same solution is being allowed to be approved now post the bid finalisation,” said a letter from Sun Microsystem to BSNL dated April 28.

BSNL officials said the decision to go with HP was taken since the GSM project was already delayed and the company wanted to hasten the roll out.

They said that if they had chosen a new vendor then they would have had to swap the existing storage solution which would have taken considerable time.

‘technically compliant’

“Since HP solution has been accepted for the West Zone, it means that they are technically compliant as per BSNL’s requirements for other zones as well,” said a senior BSNL official.

However, vendors pointed out that this could set a precedent for future procurement by BSNL wherein a bidder may quote a particular solution and then change it half way through the project.

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