IBM is building a new level-three data centre in Auckland to better support its clients' mission critical operations, the move comes in the wake of IBM's failed generator that took down Air New Zealand's IT system in October.

More than $80 million will be invested into the data centre over the next 10 years. New Zealand-based developer Highbrook Development is working together with IBM on the project.

The data centre will be built at Highbrook Business Park in East Tamaki.  The
5,200 square metre facility will be built to IBM global specifications. It will
include a 1,500 square metre data centre, it is expected to be fully
operational by late 2010. 

The data centre will provide cloud computing services for clients, as well as enhanced energy efficiency, green technology and scalability. The data centre will use cold air from outside during winter months to cool the data centre, which will reduce its dependence on air conditioning.

Cloud computing uses advanced technologies and global delivery mechanisms to enable individuals to access information and services from any device with extremely high levels of availability and quality of experience.

IBM New Zealand managing director Jennifer Moxon said; “This is a highly significant investment in New Zealand’s future technological infrastructure.” 

“It is the result of long term strategic planning and signals IBM’s commitment to enable New Zealand to become a world class technology centre and advances the growth of the digital economy,” Ms Moxon said.

IDC Australia and New Zealand data centre research manager Matt Oostveen said highly reliable and resilient data centres were an important feature in a modern business environment and it expected to see growth in IT services that would directly benefit the local economy as a result of this investment.

The Air New Zealand disaster;
In November it was announced IBM would continue to provide backup and disaster recovery for Air New Zealand despite a catastrophic outage that took the carrier's IT system down for six hours in October.

A failed oil pressure sensor on a backup generator was blamed for the crash that brought down Air New Zealand's booking and check-in systems. Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe fiercely criticised IBM’s slowness and lack of interest in getting its IT system back up and running again. He said the outage should never have happened.