Education New Zealand has deployed a Microsoft private cloud in the third and final phase of a programme of work that focused on improving the user experience of its staff who are spread in 20 global locations.
The deployment was completed by the firm's partner Dimension Data (DiData).
The project is intended to give Education NZ’s employees better tools to be more effective when recruiting students or pursuing opportunities for New Zealand institutions to educate students offshore.
The first two phases saw the transformation of the organisation’s IT infrastructure to improve governance and security to an appropriate standard, whilst ensuring it is available to users and prepared for disaster recovery.
According to Education NZ, the infrastructure upgrade is a step forward in maturing its IT services. The organisation chose the hybrid cloud model, which utilises both on-premise and cloud-based solutions. The solution is expected to deliver more effective mail messaging, data applications, web solutions, and back-end infrastructure and services.
Nick Halikias, DiData NZ national sales manager, said, “Dimension Data’s deployment of Microsoft Private Cloud will put Education New Zealand in a position where it can be more competitive within the global market.
“Through a series of operational contractual agreements, we are also able to relieve Education New Zealand of some pressure by sharing the risk and responsibility for challenges that occur within the IT environment, giving the organisation more capacity to get the job done,” added Halikias.
With staff in 20 locations, Education New Zealand needed to ensure its network was secure and that it was available and functioning at all times for its global employees, as well as those at home.