Key Highlights
- Ausgrid ‘deepened’ strategic relationships with Infosys and Microsoft to expand a Cloud Transformation program.
- Successful implementation of the program will help to improve the reliability of the network and reduce electricity consumption.
- The company is adopting cloud-based solutions as part of its prudent migration away from capital intensive on-premises data centres.
Cloud Transformation Program
Ausgrid is an electricity distributor that owns, maintains, and operates infrastructure across Sydney, Central Coast, and Hunter regions of NSW. The company currently relies on capital-intensive on-premises data centers. These assets are required to be replaced frequently due to their short technical life. To reduce the costs and maintain a high standard of reliability and connectivity, Ausgrid has decided to expand its ‘Cloud Transformation Program’. This program was initiated in mid-2020 by Ausgrid to become a ‘digital utility. The shift to the cloud was flagged in regulatory filings in June 2019 that outlined its ICT strategy through to 2024.
Cloud based Iaas and Paas
Through this cloud transformation program, Ausgrid plans to change its core ICT infrastructure that involves capital-intensive on-premises data centers to cloud-based solutions.
The company is migrating its core ICT infrastructure to cloud-based infrastructure-as-a-service (Iaas) and platform-as-a-service (Paas) in partnership with Infosys and Microsoft. This will be done by modernizing the application landscape and optimizing their IT infrastructure. As a result, Ausgrid will no longer have to own, operate, maintain and replace their assets thereby improving connectivity and reducing capital.
When asked about the cloud transformation program, Ausgrid’s acting CEO, Nick Crowe, said that “With over 4 million Australians relying on our services every day, it is essential we are maintaining our high standard of reliability and connectivity, as well as delivering on the expectations of Australian communities”.
Implementing the Cloud Program
Ausgrid has planned to adopt cloud-based solutions migrating away from capital-intensive on-premises data centers. The cloud transformation work is being done through a phased approach leveraging a cloud management platform combined with managed services. This transformation aims at improving the reliability of the network, reduce electricity prices, and introduce new services in the market at a speed and in a cost-effective manner. The cloud will enable Ausgrid to ‘consume’ computer resources like data storage and ICT applications.
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