[LINK] Tanner's reprieve on data-centre deadline

Bernard Robertson-Dunn brd at iimetro.com.au
Tue Mar 16 10:18:28 AEDT 2010


Tanner's reprieve on data-centre deadline 
Fran Foo
The Australian
March 16, 2010 
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/tanners-reprieve-on-data-centre-deadline/story-e6frgakx-1225841086668

Federal departments and agencies have earned a reprieve from Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner as the government finalises its whole-of-government data-centre strategy. 

An interim data-centre panel arrangement, in place since September, was set to expire on March 30.

It was established to let agencies procure data-centre services while the strategy was developed based on recommendations by the Australian Government Information Management Office.

A spokesman for Mr Tanner has confirmed no extensions will be given but if contract negotiations are in train, they will be allowed to continue.

Eleven agencies have gained approval to tap the services of the five panel members: Canberra Data Centres, Fujitsu, Global Switch, Polaris and Harbour MSP.

"Before signing a contract under the interim data-centre panel, the agencies must negotiate service-level agreements that meet their technical requirements with the panel member," the spokesman said.

"The approved agencies must be negotiating with the data-centre providers by the end of March. The contracts do not have to be finalised."

The decision will allay fears harboured by government officials and vendors on whether they should proceed with the deadline looming.

No details have been given on the contents or when AGIMO's data-centre report will be made public.

AGIMO presented its report late last year and since then Mr Tanner's office has said consistently that the strategy was being considered by government.

Centrelink was the first to use the panel, awarding a two-year, $4.88 million contract to Canberra Data Centres.

Others approved to use the panel are the departments of Defence; Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs; Climate Change; Environment

-- 
Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au

 




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