City of Bunbury uses IBM for future private cloud plan
The City of Bunbury in Western Australia (WA) has implemented IBM's PureSystems technology to facilitate the future rollout of a local government private cloud.
Bunbury, which is one of the biggest regional local governments in the state, was battling rapid data growth and server sprawl, so it enlisted IT service provider Stott + Hoare to roll out the IBM PureFlex System, which includes server, storage, networking, and software in one integrated turn-key system. Bunbury's desktop and mobile devices will be virtualised and reside within the new system.
According to the City of Bunbury's manager for information and technology, Mike Fletcher, Bunbury has taken the lead in installing equipment that would facilitate a local government cloud, but has been working with the Western Australian Regional Council Association for some time to develop a regional strategy to aid greater resource sharing in the future.
The IBM deal was sealed in November 2012, and the new system went live in February 2013.
The city expects to save on hardware replacement costs, power consumption, and IT maintenance time as a result of the implementation.
"Our end goal is to not only deliver exceptional 24/7 levels of service to Bunbury's residence, but establish the city as a technology leader whose IT systems can become a template for other councils throughout the state and beyond," City of Bunbury CEO Andrew Brien said in a statement. "Our primary goal has always been to make sure our IT systems can handle whatever changes may occur while remaining cost effective and efficient.
"That way, we know that when our own functions of government have to adapt and expand, the technology we use will be able to match us at every turn."