ACT govt aims to save with hybrid cloud, energy efficient ICT

The ACT expects to save $8.6 million over four years with a whole-of-government ICT transformation program that will see the territory's government employ hybrid cloud.

"The Government is implementing a hybrid cloud infrastructure platform to reduce the growing costs of data storage and management," budget documents released today state. $1.29 million has been allocated to the program.

The hybrid cloud push is one of a number of ICT initiatives outlined in the budget, which also include spending a quarter of a million dollars on a software platform to manage the energy consumption of desktop PCs and printers.

The territory government expects to save $378,000 over three years, starting from the 2015-16 financial year, thanks to energy efficiencies generated by the program.

Other IT programs include:

• $2.19 million for an automated accounts payable system;
• $5.93 million to replace revenue collection systems and upgrade online tax services;
• $3.6 million to upgrade the ACT public service's Human Resources Information Management System;
• $110,000 on an electronic tendering system; and
• $180,000 on self-service helpdesk tools for government employees.

The ACT government also earmarked $302,000 to "upgrade existing web and email filters with new technology to continue to secure the ACT Government networks from web based threats and allow for the safe dissemination of sensitive information".

$9.2 million has been allocated for the territory government's "Sustaining Smart Schools" program, which will include expanding the number of wireless access points in public schools.

Funding for the government's iConnect project commences in the budget. iConnect "will transform and simplify the way individuals and business interact with the Government," budget papers state.

"When fully developed, iConnect will give access to many government services and payment transactions through a single sign on."

iConnect is expected to save the government $9.73 million over four years.