​IBM wins IaaS contract with NZ Ministry of Health

IBM has been selected by the New Zealand Ministry of Health to deliver an onshore infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) cloud model.

Under the contract, IBM will deploy its cloud-managed infrastructure services for a minimum of five years. The new infrastructure will be used to support the department's internal IT systems, as well as national health systems including the National Health Payment System, which processes transactions for pharmacy and health-care providers, and the National Health Index database, used to help with the planning and coordination of services across the country.

Graeme Osborne, director of the National Health IT Board, said the agreement will help the Ministry of Health deliver shared services for the sector, including giving health-care providers and patients access to personal health records.

"Our aim is to improve productivity and patient safety, and enable new models of care through strategic technology investments," he said.

The adoption of IBM cloud follows the company's recent win to help create a National Infrastructure Platform for the New Zealand health sector. IBM is currently working with Health Benefits Limited to consolidate 20 district health boards on IBM cloud.

In March 2014, IBM New Zealand committed to investing NZ$10 million to expand its local cloud capability to deliver its cloud to the country's public sector agencies and private organisations.

"IBM's cloud services offer customers like the Ministry of Health the most comprehensive enterprise-grade cloud environment in New Zealand, and will support new, enhanced services for the public, suppliers, and staff," said Andrew Buchanan, IBM New Zealand cloud business leader.