The SOE upgrade project aims to standardize and simplify Defence's network and applications and to improve stability and performance.This includes an upgrade from Windows NT to Windows XP and Server 2003.

According to a Defence employee, who requested anonymity, KAZ has dropped the ball when it comes to support levels.

"It has been 10 months now since they took over and things have gotten progressively worse," he said.

Complaints include a 45-minute wait to get through to the helpdesk, "constant" outages, and an average of about 15 days to get something fixed.

"I work in Defence and I am telling you that things are absolutely abysmal when it comes to computer support; I am quite sure anyone that you talk to at Defence would agree with me," he said.