MOQdigital deploys Nutanix to construction firm Laing O'Rourke

Publicly-listed MOQdigital has scored a Nutanix Enterprise Cloud OS deployment with construction giant Laing O'Rourke.

The software will run Laing O'Rourke’s core applications and become the platform for new big data and artificial intelligence initiatives.

“We believe in the benefits of building twice, once digitally and once in the real world, and Nutanix helps us to achieve this,” James Fields, Laing O’Rourke Australia head of IT infrastructure and operations, said.

MOQ was chosen partly for its long-standing relationship with Laing O’Rourke, a customer since 2012. Laing O’Rourke said it chose Nutanix for “offering an overall better return on investment” compared to others, as well as for its simplicity and security.

The cloud environment is currently being rolled out by MOQ and Nutanix, and is hosted in NextDC’s S1 and S2 data centres in Sydney and Brisbane, respectively.

“The team between MOQdigital, Laing O’Rourke and Nutanix worked really well together to secure and ensure the success of this deployment,” MOQdigital sales manager Ben Robinson told CRN.

“Laing O’Rourke is enjoying the benefits it was seeking and ultimately this is what we aim for with all of our customers.”

Robinson added the deployment only needed a small team of up to five technical staff plus a project manager, with one staff member focusing on either assistance with Nutanix, data backup and recovery, and network and security.

“All projects have challenges, but the collaborative nature of the teams meant we were able to get through them,” Robinson added.

“Nutanix provided great support here too, particularly on the software elements of the project.”

Laing O’Rourke’s tech initiatives that could benefit from the deployment include an AI-powered prototype camera that detects if workers are wearing protective clothing in hazardous areas, and using big data to test the hardening of newly-laid road surfaces.

“Laing O’Rourke uses its data to support critical decision-making on projects throughout the business,” John Rich, Laing O’Rourke Australia data, integration and development manager said.

“We use data to optimise and analyse our opportunities, supply chain and projects to ensure that we deliver value for our clients, while continuing to lead the way in innovation in construction and engineering.”

The company said it is preparing for a potential slowdown in the construction industry, which involves a rethinking of its IT and technology strategies.

“Laing O’Rourke has shown the rest of the industry that the status quo is not an option,” Nutanix vice president for ANZ, ASEAN and India Neville Vincent said.

“As the construction industry in Australia continues to transform, cloud technologies will become vital to securing a long-term profitable, productive and sustainable future.

“The future (continued) success of Australia’s construction industry will rely upon using the simplest, most effective and most flexible solutions out there – and they all emanate in the cloud.”