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The OzHub Coalition: Seizing the Opportunity, Overcoming Constraints

Fujitsu Australia Limited

Canberra, October 12, 2011

A group of leading cloud computing providers have joined with Australia's telecommunications consumer representative body in an initiative to build local consumer and business confidence in cloud computing.

The new alliance, known as OzHub, seeks to establish a regulation framework to promote good business practices and greater transparency to consumers about crucial issues such as where their personal data are held. The OzHub alliance founder members are Macquarie Telecom, Fujitsu, InfoPlex and VMware. Discussions are under way with future partners.

The alliance hopes to work constructively with the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), the peak body for consumers and organisations to better understand consumer needs, and develop a framework and set of protocols to address them.

Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr welcomed the initiative, saying it was important that consumers and businesses be protected.

“I commend the members of the OzHub Coalition for taking the initiative to establish a regulation framework promoting good business practices in the provision of cloud computing services,” Senator Carr said.

OzHub founder member Macquarie Telecom CEO David Tudehope said: “Creating new levels of consumer and business confidence in the cloud will have the additional benefit of helping position Australia as a national and regional hosting centre, boosting jobs and productivity, and attracting global investment.”

The CEO of Fujitsu ANZ, Mike Foster, said: “The OzHub Coalition will focus on developing the opportunities and overcoming the constraints identified in the new research from Lateral Economics, ‘The Potential for cloud Computing Services in Australia’.

“These include a number of challenges that can currently constrain the adoption of cloud-based services by Australian companies which, until recently, have had to go offshore.”

Many organisations already choose to store their data in Australia for two reasons, the Managing Director of VMware ANZ, Duncan Bennet said. “Firstly, many Australian companies could soon be compelled by legislation to store their data in Australia.

“In addition, some overseas governments have legal powers to gain access to commercial data, the US Patriot Act being a prime example. For Australian companies, having access to a local Australian cloud provider addresses their data residency concerns and reduces the risks and constraints,” Mr Bennet said.

InfoPlex General Manager Matthew Madden believes the OzHub initiative will also promote improvements in other infrastructure, such as Australia’s international Internet links.

“Investing in Australia’s cloud services and management expertise will accelerate investment in the links between Australia and the rest of the world - and to Asia in particular. Infoplex is certain that the OzHub initiative will help increase competition and attract additional new investment in new services that can be hosted in the cloud,” Mr Madden concluded.

In the near future, The OzHub Coalition will be releasing a self-regulatory framework and accreditation protocols, which will be made publicly available.

Note to editors: The Lateral Economics report ‘The Potential for Cloud Computing Services in Australia’, by Nicholas Gruen and Simon Molloy, can be downloaded from the Macquarie Telecom web site. Please visit: www.macquarietelecom.com/ozhub Open a new window

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 170,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.4 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
For more information, please see: : fujitsu.com

About Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand

Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand is a leading service provider of business, information technology and communications solutions. As the third largest ICT Company in the Australian and New Zealand marketplace, we partner with our customers to consult, design, build, operate and support business solutions. From strategic consulting to application and infrastructure solutions and services, Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand have earned a reputation as the single supplier of choice for leading Corporate News and government organisations. Fujitsu Australia Limited and Fujitsu New Zealand Limited are wholly owned subsidiaries of Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702).
For more information, please see: : fujitsu.com.au

About Macquarie Telecom

Macquarie Telecom is Australia’s number one Managed Hosting and integrated Telco provider to business and government customers through the delivery of service excellence. Macquarie Telecom delivers a full range of Hosting, Data, Voice and Mobile services specifically to the business and government market. Established in 1992, Macquarie Telecom is one of the first telecommunication providers of the deregulated era and successfully publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in October 1999. Macquarie Telecom was judged the best telecommunications provider for customer care in the World at the World Communication Awards in November 2008. Macquarie Telecom was honoured with the “Best Customer Care” because of its unique Personal Accountable Service (PAS) program. PAS is their attitude and commitment to delivering a superior experience for customers through Ownership, Proactivity, Communication and Responsiveness. Head office: Level 20, 2 Market Street, Sydney 2000.
For more information, please see: : www.macquarietelecom.com Open a new window

About VMware

VMware (NYSE: VMW) delivers virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions that enable IT organisations to energise businesses of all sizes. With the industry leading virtualization platform – VMware vSphere® – customers rely on VMware to reduce capital and operating expenses, improve agility, ensure business continuity, strengthen security and go green. With 2010 revenues of $2.9 billion, more than 250,000 customers and 25,000 partners, VMware is the leader in virtualization which consistently ranks as a top priority among CIOs. VMware is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world.
For more information, please see: : www.vmware.com Open a new window

About InfoPlex

Infoplex is a 100% Australian owned and operated business and a wholly owned subsidiary of Leighton's . We offer a range of Enterprise grade IT services to our customers with a strong focus on cloud services. Our Australian Data Centres are located in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, in addition to this we have a strong presence in Asia with data centre operations in Singapore and Hong Kong. Our focus is to provide a flexible secure IT platform that empowers our customers.

Tracy Weller-McCormack

Phone: Phone: +61 2 9113 9225
Mobile: Mobile: +61 414 827 044
E-mail: E-mail: tracy.mccormack@au.fujitsu.com
Company:Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand
General Manager, Marketing & Communications

Date: 12 October, 2011
City: Canberra
Company: Fujitsu Australia Limited