Alexander Sammon
Updated on: October 16, 2024 11:11 am GMT
Dunedin City Council is gearing up for a significant change in its information technology landscape. As the deadline approaches for its current IT managed services contract, the council plans a decade-long partnership with a capable provider that can support its diverse IT needs. This move aims to enhance efficiency and service delivery in the city.
Procurement Process Overview
The council is embarking on a two-stage procurement process to find a suitable IT managed services (ITMS) partner. This week, a notice announced the start of a registration of interest phase, which is crucial as the existing contract concludes next year.
Key Requirements for Potential Partners
To ensure a successful collaboration, the council has outlined some essential criteria for potential partners:
- A proven track record in delivering comprehensive IT managed services.
- The ability to support all seven core ITMS service areas, which include:
- Managed service desk and professional services
- Network services
- Cloud services
- Hardware procurement and management
- Software license asset management
- Cyber security protection and governance
- Service governance
- Strong financial stability to support a 10-year contract.
- A focus on cost efficiencies and continuous improvement.
“Commitment to a partnership with DCC and strategic alignment is vital to the success of this contract,” the council noted.
Importance of a Smooth Transition
The council is also emphasizing the importance of a seamless transition as services change hands. They want a partner that can provide innovative and flexible solutions to ensure zero disruption in service delivery during the transition period.
Next Steps in the Procurement Timeline
After the registration of interest phase, the shortlisted suppliers will be invited to participate in a lean-agile procurement workshop scheduled for February 2025. This workshop is expected to help refine the selection process and establish clear expectations.
Previous Success with IT Partnerships
In recent years, the council successfully partnered with CCL, a Spark-owned Microsoft partner, to modernize and migrate its systems to the Microsoft Azure cloud. Their role was acknowledged in 2021 when CCL won the vendor’s Azure migrate award.
Broader Community Engagement
In addition to IT developments, local community discussions have also been heating up. Recent letters to the editor reflect public sentiment on various issues, including the decision regarding Aurora and the ongoing infrastructural challenges facing the city.
Community Perspectives on Aurora
<pA letter addressed to the council highlighted differing viewpoints on whether to retain or sell Aurora. The writer defended their vote for the city to keep ownership, emphasizing that representation should reflect the majority opinion rather than individual perspectives. This debate shines a light on the wider financial implications that such decisions carry for the ratepayers.
Importance of Democracy in Decision-Making
The author of the letter also voiced the importance of allowing democracy to guide these choices, stating that it is crucial to listen to the community. They criticized any personal attacks that arose during the voting process, advocating for respectful dialogues among council members.
Conclusion
As Dunedin City Council prepares to secure a new IT managed services partner and navigate community discussions, the focus is on making strategic choices that will benefit the city over the next decade. The ongoing partnership search, alongside robust community discourse, shows a commitment to prioritizing effective governance and transparency in decision-making.
If you want to learn more about what the Dunedin community is doing, check out the Dunedin City Council website.
