From an initial short list, the Australian Government has announced the six vendors who have made the data centre migration panel.
The panel was formed to help agencies move from existing data centre facilities into new centres. Colliers International Project Services, Dell Australia, Dimension Data, Fujitsu Australia, Hewlett Packard and The Frame Group were selected.
The panel will be in place for the next five years, and is part of the Government's Data Centre Strategy 2010-2025.
Special Minister of State, Gary Gray, said in a statement that while it was not a frequent occurrence, moving between data centres could be a complex exercise.
"Reasons for moving data centres can include the expiration of leases, requiring additional power to support IT equipment or changes in IT outsourcing arrangements," he said.
"Most agencies have limited experience in undertaking such an activity so the companies on this panel will work with agencies to plan and execute such moves ensuring minimal impact on services to the Australian community.”
According to Gray, a small number of companies from ACT and other states may be added to the panel in the near future, as negotiations and contractual arrangements were finalised.
“I’m also pleased to announce that Enterprise Data Centre’s facility in Mitcham, Victoria, and Equinix’s facility in Alexandria, New South Wales and Australian Data Centres in Mitchell, ACT have been added to the previously announced data centre facility panel."
He added that it was mandatory for Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA) agencies to use this panel, and optional for agencies under the Commonwealth Authority and Companies Act 1997 (CAC). State government agencies could also use the panel.
In addition, Gray said that the existing five member whole-of-government data centre panel which was announced in April 2011 has been expanded to include Enterprise Data Centre, Equinix and Australian Data Centres.
The initial strategy was announced last November by the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) which recently called for feedback from industry on the proposal.
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