HEAnet has signed a 3-year campus agreement with Microsoft Ireland for Universities and College Campuses.

"HEAnet always endeavours to provide cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure for our clients and their student end users, and we are looking forward to working with Microsoft to provide the best opportunities and technology to the third-level sector," HEAnet CEO John Boland said. The agreement will enable students to access a number of Microsoft technologies including Azure, Office 365 and Dreamspark. The contract will see Microsoft provide IT services to the third-level sector across Ireland. "We are passionate about ensuring that the college environment in Ireland provides students with the access to technology they need to acquire the vital skills that are now central to every aspect of someone’s personal and professional lives," Microsoft Ireland managing director Paul Rellis said. Microsoft says it intends to use the platform to engage with the third-level sector and increase awareness of the wide range of technologies available to them - in some cases - free of charge. The agreement will also enable students access to a number of Microsoft technologies, including the cloud-based Azure programme for a 90-day period, Office 365 and Dreamspark. Through these programmes, students can work in a collaborative environment, where they can develop apps, games, tools and designs at no cost.