Next-generation network enables housing association to stabilise network and reduce operational costs to support future growth
London, 26th June 2008:
Family Mosaic, a leading housing association located across 7 major sites and over 80 smaller offices, has signed a new agreement with Telstra International to deliver IT service efficiencies across the organisation. As part of the agreement, Telstra International, the supplier of global managed network services, provides high-speed MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) network connectivity and secure hosting facilities for the Family Mosaic server farms.
The agreement also includes the deployment and management of firewalls as all internet connectivity is accessed via the hosting centre. In choosing MPLS, Family Mosaic has streamlined operations and enhanced business activity, taking advantage of its performance, flexibility and scalability. The ability to simplify and interconnect was essential, becoming evident when a VoIP solution was implemented across the group.
Nick Crane, Network Manager at Family Mosaic, said: “We are one of the largest housing associations in the UK so it is critical for all employees to access our applications all of the time. Moving to Telstra has enabled us to implement and deliver against strict service level agreements, and ultimately support these business demands.” In outsourcing its entire IT server infrastructure to Telstra’s London Data and Hosting Centre, Family Mosaic has mitigated its previous disaster recovery exposures, increasing the security and availability of all systems.
Telstra worked with Family Mosaic to design a next-generation network service which would meet the housing association’s unique requirements. Firstly, an MPLS Virtual Private Network (VPN) has been implemented to replace X21 point-to-point connections. All major sites are connected via high capacity connections with smaller sites benefiting from ADSL Max connections. This implementation doubles the original network capacity without increasing Family Mosaic’s operational costs.
Nick Crane said: “By using Telstra to manage our network, we are in a very strong position - the housing association market is very active at the moment, and the new infrastructure makes it very easy to integrate new offices. Telstra has exceeded our expectations at every stage of the process and our new strategy will greatly enhance our position in the market.”
Simon Vye, CEO Telstra International EMEA, comments: “At a time when all organisations are thinking about how they can reduce IT spend, the cloud-computing approach offers a way of managing investment and operational costs. Telstra is delighted to be supporting Family Mosaic in delivering a next-generation network service to facilitate improved communication with the community".
ABOUT FAMILY MOSAIC
Family Mosaic is a housing association that provides good quality, affordable homes and housing services to over 45,000 people in communities across London and Essex. It currently employs 1,400 staff.
Family Mosaic has over 20,000 homes and their house building programme aims to deliver 1000 homes every year. They sell shared ownership properties to people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford their own home. Family Mosaic also has an excellent reputation for providing homes for people with extra support needs – helping people to live independently in the community and manage their own tenancies.
While a big organisation, Family Mosaic’s strength lies in retaining a local focus, with its operational staff making increasing use of new technology to carry out their jobs more effectively.