NetApp & iseek expand partnership in Queensland
NetApp and iseek have expanded their strategic partnership to enhance digital infrastructure capabilities in Australia, with significant investments in Queensland to support regional business resilience and economic growth.
NetApp, specialising in data infrastructure solutions, has increased its data management capacity fivefold since partnering with Australian data centre operator iseek eight years ago. Their collaboration aims to optimise the growing need for secure and efficient data management, particularly in sectors like enterprise, mining, education, and government.
iseek has constructed its fourth data centre in Townsville to address local demand for digital services, thereby enhancing operational continuity and data resilience against challenges such as power outages and natural disasters. This initiative supports the region's digital growth while contributing to the state's clean energy goals.
Mark Fioretto, Managing Director of NetApp Australia & New Zealand, highlighted the increasing demand generated by the integration of artificial intelligence and complex workloads within networks. "Now, more than ever, business is growing rapidly due to organisations implementing Artificial Intelligence technologies and complex workloads into their networks, which is driving demand from customers," he remarked. Fioretto also noted iseek's ability to offer clients flexible cost management solutions without pricing lock-ins.
NetApp and iseek's joint declaration underscores the importance of robust data services in tackling global data breaches and providing secure solutions for various business sizes. Scott Hicks, CEO of iseek, pointed out the importance of their alliance in safeguarding data in regional and remote areas of Australia. "This is especially true in areas like regional Queensland where data efficiency, data protection and security are at risk from extreme weather events and where the sheer isolation was once a barrier to business," Hicks stated.
iseek's North Queensland Regional Data Centre, strategically located in Townsville, serves as a critical infrastructure hub offering enhanced IT services and resilience for remote communities. According to Hicks, "Having an enterprise class data centre in Townsville has allowed us to leverage our partnership with a global leader like NetApp and deliver cloud services into the region, opening up a new market for iseek and NetApp."
The partnership between iseek and NetApp is significant for creating data efficiency and protection in regions susceptible to extreme weather conditions. "We work together to deliver data efficiency, data protection and security and, importantly, resilience in areas where we have seen extreme weather events, from bushfires to cyclones and flood," added Hicks.
Access to iseek's advanced data centres combined with NetApp's storage solutions is enabling regional communities to effectively compete in the global economy. As Fioretto elaborated, "Access to iseek's world-class data centres and cloud services, combined with NetApp's globally recognised storage solutions, allows regional communities to participate in the global economy, putting them on a par with any state capital-based business."
From a strategic standpoint, Fioretto mentioned the partnership's evolutionary trajectory. "NetApp supports iseek's data infrastructure strategies and works with iseek's sales, operations and technical architects to support them with current workloads and future planning," he explained, underscoring the collaborative effort in adapting to market trends and fostering sustainable innovations.
Further advancements include implementing direct liquid cooling solutions to reduce costs and support high-performance computing necessary for AI and other advanced applications. Fioretto expressed optimism for continuing the partnership with iseek, emphasizing: "We look forward to many years of partnering to ensure iseek's customers become more successful."
