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Ms. Shari Wallace, Chief Information
Officer, appeared before the Committee providing an overview of cloud computing,
a generic term for a broad range of IT services located in off-site data
centres and accessed via the internet.
The speaker noted some of the
benefits of cloud computing, i.e. remote locations for faster disaster
recovery, the ability to rapidly scale up and/or down and best practice
computing facilities. Cloud services are not additional or stand-alone,
rather just a different way to implement technology.
Ms. Wallace advised that the City
has invested significantly in technology to deliver services to citizens.
There are targeted areas where the City could benefit from cloud services.
Over time, more City services could be delivered via the cloud, subject to
value and risk assessments.
It was noted that cloud data centre
services could play a key role as part of the City’s emergency response plan,
i.e.:
·
data
centre located outside the Lower Mainland;
·
focus
on systems needed in an emergency (BurnabyMap, Hansen, email, website, etc.);
·
scalable,
pay-as-you-go infrastructure;
·
an
initial pilot could help evaluate fit and set future direction for
‘Infrastructure as a Service’.
The speaker advised that the City
already has a limited number of cloud applications and services, i.e. Better
Impact, Parking PayByPhone, and some software may only be available as a
cloud solution, i.e. CLASS replacement.
In conclusion, Ms. Wallace noted
when assessing future cloud offerings, staff will continue to evaluate all
aspects of each solution (i.e. cost, risk, value, data privacy and
protection, vendor capabilities, financials, contracts, etc.). The
technology selection and any other consideration will be included in the
future IT project budget requests and reports to the Committee and Council.
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