Harbour IT scopes out 60-server cloud migration

Harbour IT has sealed a strong private cloud win, migrating 60 servers from across the country for new client Scope.

The Victoria-based disability support organisation, which has around 1800 staff across some 97 sites, chose Harbour IT to replace its incumbent supplier after a competitive tender.

The  managed services provider won thanks to its track record of security and "our pedigree in this space", said Harbour IT Victoria state manager Steve Evans.

"They are going live with a full infrastructure-as-a-service piece and we are providing full managed services around that. We are also providing the service desk."

The deployment includes Citrix virtual desktop hosting for Scope's 1800 staff, delivered to around 650 Wyse thin clients procured by Harbour as well as 150 existing laptops.

"As of Monday, 1800 people will turn on their computer running off our cloud," Evans told CRN on the eve of go-live. The 60 servers are all being retired, he added.

Harbour IT has been operating a private cloud since 2010. It is based on FlexPod infrastructure, combining VMware, Cisco and NetApp technology.

"We also have a Pure Storage flash option, which has much higher IOPS. On the software side, we use BMC and Kaseya products," said Evans.

For the Scope deal, he said Harbour IT was "the right fit for a company of that size. We have the support structures in place, but while we are big enough to supply enterprise technology at an affordable price, we are small enough to visit and treat them like they are important."