Te Whatu Ora Plans Major Hybrid Cloud Migration to Consolidate 12,000 Servers

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand (formerly known as the Ministry of Health) has embarked on an ambitious project to consolidate more than 12,000 existing public health sector servers into a hybrid cloud environment. The initiative aims to address issues such as system fragmentation, infrastructure sustainability, escalating costs, and operational complexity. To achieve this, Te Whatu Ora is seeking multiple suppliers for the Cloud Implementer Panel, which will support its Digital Investment Plan.

In an interview with Healthcare IT News, Darren Douglass, acting Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Te Whatu Ora, highlighted several key drivers behind the project. System fragmentation has been a significant challenge, with regional systems often operating in silos. This fragmentation not only hinders scalability and standardization but also increases operational costs and complexity.

• System Fragmentation: Regional health systems are often isolated, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies.
• Infrastructure Sustainability: Legacy platforms struggle to support modern digital health initiatives like telehealth and patient portals.
• Escalating Costs: Maintaining fragmented legacy environments is projected to cost more than NZ$1.2 billion ($680 million) over the next decade.
• Operational Complexity: Managing a diverse array of systems adds to the operational burden and reduces overall efficiency.

Douglass emphasized that transitioning to a hybrid cloud model is a strategic step to bring in pre-approved, specialist capabilities at scale. This will enable Te Whatu Ora to move from fragmented regional systems to secure, standardized national cloud platforms, thereby improving security, ensuring consistent delivery, and delivering better value for New Zealanders.

The Migration Plan

The Cloud Implementer Panel will be responsible for delivering migration, modernization, and infrastructure optimization services. These services are crucial for the successful transition of Te Whatu Ora's IT environment to a hybrid cloud model. The panel will also offer optional managed services to ensure ongoing support and maintenance.

• Migration Services: Moving existing applications and data from on-premises servers to the cloud.
• Modernization Services: Upgrading legacy systems to leverage modern cloud technologies.
• Optimization Services: Ensuring that the new infrastructure is efficient, scalable, and cost-effective.
• Managed Services: Providing ongoing support and maintenance to ensure smooth operation.

The request for proposals (RFP) issued by Te Whatu Ora outlines the need for a secure, resilient hybrid cloud model spanning public cloud, private cloud, and data centers. This multi-faceted approach will allow the organization to balance the benefits of cloud flexibility with the security and control of on-premises infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• Cost Savings: By consolidating servers and moving to a hybrid cloud, Te Whatu Ora aims to reduce operational costs significantly.
• Improved Security: Standardized national cloud platforms will enhance security measures across the health sector.
• Enhanced Scalability: The new infrastructure will support modern digital health initiatives more effectively.
• Operational Efficiency: Centralized management and reduced complexity will lead to better overall performance.

The Cloud Implementer Panel is expected to run for an initial four-year term, with the possibility of extension up to 10 years. This long-term commitment underscores Te Whatu Ora's dedication to transforming its IT landscape and delivering high-quality healthcare services to New Zealanders.