WA’s Water Corporation has awarded a $59 million, seven-year contract for delivery of digital workplace and infrastructure managed services to an IT services company that specialises in cloud services. The contract, which has an option to extend for one year, also includes service delivery management and cross-functional IT services management.
The digital workplace services component includes service desk, desktop support, field services (including remote site visits), mobility services, standard operating environment (SOE) services and managed operating environment (MOE) services. The infrastructure managed services component incorporates on-premises infrastructure (including the operational technology environment) and cloud services.
The company’s Continuous Service Evolution delivery model was seen as a high-value differentiator. Continuous Service Evolution (CSE) provides customers with an always valued, always relevant service by placing specific attention on customer centricity, embracing measures of success beyond the conventional and delivering a continuous pipeline of iterative positive change.
The partnership will be heavily focused on strengthening jobs and skills in Western Australia by investing back into the community and driving local employment with a full onshore delivery model. This includes an emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, commitment to delivering respective Reconciliation Action Plans, and the engagement and training of students, in particular females, in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The General Manager, Information & Technology, Water Corporation, said the focus is on innovative solutions. She noted that Water Corporation is excited to enter into this multiyear partnership with the company which strongly aligns with its purpose of sustainable management of water services to make Western Australia a great place to live and invest. She also said that the strategic partnership will focus on innovative solutions to provide the best experience for WA people from anywhere, anytime, across the state to ensure that Water Corporation can deliver great value to its customers, the people of Western Australia, now and in the future.
The Managing Director of the IT services company noted that the partnership offers opportunities beyond the nuts and bolts of the contract. He said that the partnership with Water Corporation provides the firm with an opportunity to contribute to the Western Australian community in line with its diversity and inclusion initiatives. Cultural alignment is great, with both organisations demonstrating an ongoing commitment and strength in working with the community to deliver innovative, reliable citizen services, he added.
The firm’s investment and focus on the heavy assets and utility sectors continue to enhance its capabilities and competitive advantage. The deal cements the company and its parent as the leading utilities service provider in Australia and New Zealand on the back of other partnerships.
With a network that spans 2.6 million square kilometres, Water Corporation is WA’s main supplier of water, wastewater and drainage services, servicing more than 2 million people across the state. WA government-owned electricity providers Western Power and Horizon Power, and a South Australian electricity transmission company also receive IT services from the aforementioned company.