T&T gets first IT biz centre

Trinidad Guardian, September 11, 2009

“For the first time hosted in the Caribbean, government and the private sector will have access to world class IT capabilities as a managed service on demand, says Mervyn Eyre, Chief Executive at Fijutsu Caribbean. “Having access to IT resources as a service, can bring more technology and business capabilities within the reach of the smaller IT budgets of mid and small sized businesses, adding to their competitiveness, efficiency, business agility and global competitiveness,” says Eyre.

Apart from avoiding the delays and time lags involved in setting up the technology, enterprises also avoid the daunting task of having to buy, build, own and operate for every need that arises.” Speaking at the launch of the new facility at Ibis Avenue, Barataria, on Wednesday, Eyre lauded the new partnership between T&T and Fujitsu, noting that the company’s investment in the facility was around US$4 million ($25 million). “This is good news for T&T and Fujitsu, since the real benefits are to be had right here at home. For the first time in the Caribbean, government and enterprise now have an option to acquire IT capabilities as a managed service—hosted on local soil.” The Centre is also expected to give customers access to world-class infrastructure and state-of-the-art security and business continuity. Since we maintain the facilities, customers will always have access to the best and latest hardware technology and software applications, so they will always have a competitive edge in their market.”

He also expressed his support for Public Administration Minister, Kennedy Swarathsingh’s vision for government access to the new service. This included access for 40,000 users across 26 ministries to be served with systems hosted at the new facility such as GovNeTT. “These developments represents a major milestone for the country’s ICT readiness and is an opportunity for ministries to radically increase the quality and availability of the IT services it provides to stakeholders,” said Eyre. “In addition to gaining the benefits of continuous monitoring that takes place 24 hours a day 365 day a year, space has been dedicated for the hosting of systems for use by government and its agencies,” added Eyre. Minister Swarathsingh also predicted that the new facilities will encourage the development of new business opportunities and industries—such as e-Teck’s Tamana Intech Park in 2011.

“Establishing data centres domestically would mean the development of a number of new business opportunities and industries which require fast and secure access to data,” said Swarathsingh. He said the Tamana Centre would provide services such as co-location, backup, storage and disaster recovery. “Though the data centres are being championed by very different entities, driven by divergent entities, they represent a shared vision of T&T as the hub of the region,” said Swarathsingh. The new Centre provides the full spectrum of IT services, training through to building and testing enterprise solutions prior to deployment. They also offer ongoing management and administration of enterprise systems. The IT centre seeks to consolidate the company’s IT strengths under one structure and allow customers greater access to its outsourced services. Fujitsu also has significant operations in Jamaica, the Bahamas and Barbados.

The centre features a high level security zone for sensitive data storage and includes no windows or doors opening to outside of building. The facility includes protection against electromagnetic radiation minimum floor loading for data equipment and anti-static grounded vinyl tiles. Other key officials present at the launch include Minister in the Office of Prime Minister, Dr Lenny Saith and Minister of Trade Mariano Browne. Fijutsu’s Vice President—Marketing, Sandra Jones and VP Commercial Operations Eddison Stephens.

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