Ceduna Council sees Civica’s Managed Services as risk management solution
The District Council of Ceduna, 800km west of Adelaide, has signed up for Civica’s Managed Services for Local Government solution, principally as a risk management strategy to overcome difficulties in sourcing reliable IT expertise.
Already a long term user of Civica’s Authority local government management system, Council will have Civica look after its entire information technology infrastructure, including applications, servers and communications. The cutover is scheduled for October.
Council’s Manager Corporate Services, Trevor Smart, said: “We will benefit from having well managed IT systems, which will provide better outcomes for all our users and ultimately for our customers. Reducing the risk of IT failure will be a huge plus factor.
“Because we are so remote from Adelaide, we have been unable to secure a long term source of IT expertise. We have struggled to maintain the systems ourselves, and if you don’t keep up with advancing technology it’s easy to fall behind very quickly.”
Council had previously used two local IT contractors, but was unable to offer sufficient work to keep them in business in the Ceduna area. With a staff of 20 using the systems, Ceduna cannot justify employing a full time information technology specialist.
“Any local government authority that is unable to contract reliable IT people is crazy if it’s not looking at managed services, because of the constant risk,” says District Council of Ceduna CEO, Tony Irvine.
“We have had a very good business relationship with Civica for many years (since 1992), so we have complete confidence in their ability to manage our systems. Their general servicing of Authority in remote areas has always been reliable, so we know our whole IT infrastructure will be in good hands.”
Ceduna has negotiated a five-year managed services agreement with Civica. According to Trevor Smart, this will align with Council’s existing IT budget initially and he is confident in future years they will not need to go very far outside of this budget.
The District Council of Ceduna has around 2,000 ratepayers and covers an area of 5,000 sq km. Revenue is about $7-8 million. Council is currently committed to two major projects: Ceduna Keys Marina, and the Ceduna Central Business District Streetscape. However it has many other major projects in the pipeline with the world class discoveries of mineral sands in the nearby Gawler Craton. The Marina Project will provide a safe haven for the local fishing fleet, as well as encouraging investment, and creating an internationally recognised coastal centre. Council’s Vision for the Business District Streetscape project sees Ceduna becoming a regional service centre as well as supporting the needs of locals and tourists.
For further information please contact:
Paul Coates
National Sales Manager, Local Government Solutions
Civica Pty Limited
Tel. +61 2 9926 2800