Publishing group Johnston Press has renewed a contract with communications firm Thus to manage its IT.

Thus has managed the publishing group's network – and provided a voice over IP service – since 2005.

The new contract will see Thus providing an entire managed IT environment, centralising applications and upgrading the network.

The move will help Johnston Press – which publishes 318 local newspapers – to put common systems for advertising, editorial and production on the central network to aid the transition from print to online media.

It was important to have a bespoke solution, said Roger Davies, IT director at Johnston Press.

"Our unique requirements involving large-scale hosting environments meant we needed to work with a company that understands our business,” he said.