Infosys and Microsoft have entered into a multi-year strategic engagement with Ausgrid, the largest distributor of electricity on Australia's east coast.
The agreement aims to accelerate Ausgrid's cloud transformation journey and establish the company as a leading digital utility in the region, according to a statement.
Ausgrid acting CIO Nick Crowe says, “With over four million Australians relying on our services every day, it is essential we are maintaining our high standard of reliability and connectivity, as well as delivering on the expectations of Australian communities.
"Accelerating our cloud transformation journey in partnership with Infosys and Microsoft allows us to improve the reliability of the network, keep downward pressure on electricity prices and bring new services to market at speed and in a cost-effective manner.
The cloud program is designed to reduce Ausgrid's cost of ownership and improve the performance of its IT systems and applications, the company states.
Ausgrid states that its strategic adoption of cloud services is holistic and addresses people, change management and business processes to optimise the efficiency and operational benefits that cloud enables.
As part of this strategic engagement, Infosys and Microsoft are helping Ausgrid address these challenges by modernising its application landscape and optimising the IT infrastructure.
The cloud-driven transformation program launched in mid-2020, is being delivered through a phased approach leveraging a cloud management platform combined with managed services.
Infosys executive vice president and global industry leader communications, media and technology, Anand Swaminathan, says, “Our engagement with Ausgrid has expanded to include this strategic cloud transformation initiative, leveraging Infosys' Cobalt ecosystem of platforms, solutions and services as well as our deep expertise in the utility industry.
"This engagement further strengthens our global collaboration with Microsoft, and our joint value to the industry.
With more than 200 products, Microsoft Azure cloud platform helps customers to build, run, and manage applications across multiple clouds, on-premises, and at the edge.
Microsoft Australia chief partner officer Rachel Bondi says, “We are observing a considerable rise in enterprise-wide cloud adoption which is recognised as being critical for resilient business models.
"Through this partnership with Infosys and Ausgrid, we are leveraging the power of Microsoft Azure to create endless digital capabilities and to accelerate customer value.
"This transformation program will help Ausgrid increase agility, it will simplify and modernise its digital platforms, driving tangible business outcomes and delivering value at scale to its end customers.
Ausgrid is the largest distributor of electricity on Australia's east coast, providing power to 1.8 million customers. The company's network is made up of substations, powerlines, underground cables and power poles, spanning 22,275 square kilometres throughout Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley.