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Canadian Government Plans to Shut Down at Least 280 Data Centers
 

Government-wide IT reform also includes email and network consolidation

Published 10th August, 2011

by Yevgeniy Sverdlik, Data Center Dynamics 
          
In an effort to streamline its IT infrastructure and services, the government of Canada is planning to consolidate its data center footprint, hoping to go from the present 300 data centers down to less than 20.

Data center consolidation is part of a wider initiative called Shared Services Canada, which also includes consolidation of email platforms and network infrastructure.

Minister of public works and government services Rana Ambrose commented on the announcement, saying: "Shared Services Canada will have a mandate to streamline IT, save money, and end waste and duplication."

According to officials, some of the government's 300 existing data centers dare barely used, while others are straining to meet demand. Furthermore, each data center has different reliability and security standards.

Another issue the initiative is looking to address is energy efficiency. The older data centers are less efficient than newer ones and the government is looking to save by shutting down the inefficient facilities.

The problem with the government's current network infrastructure is that there are more than 3,000 overlapping and uncoordinated networks within and between departments and agencies. Shared Service Canada includes reduction in the number of networks connecting data centers and streamlining networks within government buildings.

The government's email consolidation plans call for standardizing on one system instead of the existing 100 different ones. Not only are email systems the government uses different, they are often incompatible with each other.

About 80% of departments use Microsoft Outlook; 15% use Lotus Notes, and 5% use Novell Groupwise email. Different departments use different versions of each and have adopted different rules and practices for email use.