NetApp sets up shop in Canberra
NetApp sets up shop in Canberra
Network storage vendor Network Appliance has opened an office in Canberra to support a recently won contract with the Department of Defence.
Network Appliance (NetApp) was recently awarded Preferred Supplier status by the Department of Defence for open network information storage systems and related software and services. The Canberra office is designed to support the contract, which includes the installation of its Filer storage systems at some 150 Defence sites across Australia, over a three-year period.
Michael Burnie, managing director Network Appliance Australia and New Zealand, said: "the size, complexity and 'open-all-hours' nature of this major new win makes it essential that we have people on the ground in Canberra, full time." Mr Burnie said NetApp's new permanent presence in Canberra, "together with the already established presence of ASI Solutions - our partner in the winning of this contract - will ensure a smooth and non-disruptive rollout, and the highest levels of ongoing support".
"The Department of Defence has high expectations of suppliers - and very rightly so - and we want to be on their doorstop in order to be able to do the best possible job for them," he said.
"Given the Department's very wide geographic spread, including sites in places distant not only from the Department's Information Services Branch in Canberra but also from population centres, good training, quick start-up and non-complex systems management were considered critical; and we demonstrated that we could meet those criteria," he said.
NetApp Filers have already been delivered to a number of Defence sites across Australia since the rollout commenced late-November.
The new office, in Canberra's CBD, is manned by an initial staff of three and headed by Network Appliance's Chris Chambers.
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