Critical.
Authoritative.
Strategic.
Subscribe to CIO Magazine »

CBA, Telstra join Open Data Centre Alliance

Companies gain access to Alliance’s cloud usage models, data centre planning decisions
Commonwealth Bank CIO Michael Harte.

Commonwealth Bank CIO Michael Harte.

The Open Data Centre Alliance (ODCA) has signed up the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and Telstra as adopter members of its cloud and data centre roadmap.

The two companies get access to ODCA’s usage models which are designed to help members with data centre purchasing and planning decisions. In addition, CBA and Telstra will have the opportunity to assess new cloud technologies.

Commonwealth Bank's CIO, Michael Harte, said that its advocacy of cloud and the potential benefits for both employees and customers were a priority.

“That’s why we are actively involved in industry organisations, such as the ODCA, which help to set standards and accelerate innovation to deliver faster more efficient rich services on demand, not just for ourselves but for broader industry interests and economic benefit,” he said in a statement.

In November 2012, Harte told participants at an Amazon Web Services (AWS) event in Sydney that the bank has shifted a dozen on-premise applications to the cloud. "The operational cost reduction is huge," he said at the time.

"We've halved storage costs, we've halved most of our app testing and development cost. We've got a wide range of technology functions as a service. We've got application development, testing, infrastructure, software and storage."

Harte added that the bank was looking for a "40 per cent improvement in pricing across all the things that we consume as a service".

Telstra director of cloud services Stuart Smith said he was looking forward to engaging with peers from a variety of industries to help the telco increase the “depth and breadth” of its cloud offerings for customers.

In December 2012, Telstra announced the next stage of its $800 million cloud services investment with new data centres set to go live in Western Australia, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory in Q1 of 2013.

A new Victorian data centre will also be opened during 2014 in Clayton, Melbourne, complementing an existing facility in the city.

The ODCA is an independent IT consortium comprised of companies who have come together to provide guidance for long-term data centre requirements. It is led by a 12 member steering committee which includes the National Australia Bank (NAB), BMW, Capgemini, China Unicom, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, T-Systems, Terremark, Disney Technology Solutions and Services, and UBS.

Intel serves as technical advisor to the ODCA. The University of Melbourne’s Clouds Lab is a contributor member.

Follow Hamish Barwick on Twitter: @HamishBarwick

Follow CIO Australia on Twitter and Like us on Facebook… Twitter: @CIO_Australia, Facebook: CIO Australia, or take part in the CIO conversation on LinkedIn: CIO Australia

Recommended

  1. Echo Entertainment Group gambles on big data

  2. Making friends with your COO

  3. Social data tool reveals value of an individual ...

    CMO

Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.

More about: Amazon, BMW, CBA, Commonwealth Bank, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Bank, Facebook, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, NAB, National Australia Bank, Technology, Technology Solutions, Telstra, T-Systems, Unicom, University of Melbourne, University of Melbourne
References show all
Comments are now closed.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: Michael Harte, CBA, Open Data Center Alliance, data centres, cloud computing, Telstra
Latest Blog Posts
Whitepapers
  • Advanced Persistent Threats and Real-Time Threat Management
    Businesses face a constantly evolving threat landscape. One of the greatest challenges is presented by advanced persistent threats (APTs), which are sophisticated, multi‐faceted attacks targeting a particular organisation. Mitigating the risk of APTs requires advances beyond traditional layered security to include real‐time threat management. This whitepaper describes the nature of APTs, the risks they pose to businesses, and techniques for blocking, detecting, and containing APTs and other emerging threats. Read now.
    Learn more »
  • The Ten Commandments of BYOD
    The rapid proliferation of mobile devices entering the workplace feels like divine intervention to many IT leaders. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) was born and employees followed with fervour. How will IT organisations support workforce desire to use personal apps and devices while allowing them to be productive in a secure environment that protects corporate data? The Ten Commandments of BYOD show you how to create a peaceful, secure, and productive mobile environment. Read now.
    Learn more »
  • New Demands for Real-time Threat Management
    Many organisations are evaluating a new security model based upon IT risk management best practices. This is a good idea, but not enough for today’s dynamic and malevolent threat landscape. To keep up with IT changes and external threats, large organisations need to embrace two new security practices: real-time risk management for day-to-day security adjustments and real-time threat management to detect and remediate sophisticated, stealthy, and damaging security breaches (i.e., advanced persistent threats, or APTs). Learn more.
    Learn more »
All whitepapers
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to Invitation only events CIO, reports & analysis.
Recent comments