The opening of a new cloud computing hub in Melbourne is a milestone in the digital transformation of Victoria, according to the state’s Treasurer Tim Pallas.
Singapore-based managed services provider NCS has launched its NEXT Cloud Centre of Excellence in Australia, a physical premise in Melbourne that’s expected to grow and create 500 new jobs.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Victorian government over the centre, and will also participate in the state’s Digital Jobs Program.
Mr Pallas spoke at a virtual launch event for the centre and said it is a combination of international know-how with Victorian tech talent.
“It’s an exciting time for NCS and also for Victoria. We are the state of innovation and ICT excellence and the new NCS Cloud Centre of Excellence reinforces our leading national position,” Mr Pallas said.
“We have a thriving tech sector and some of the largest global companies based here or with a strong local presence. The new centre of excellence is a milestone in the digital transformation in the state of Victoria and the nation, and it will help accelerate our innovative potential, contribute to the state’s expanding digital economy and continue to grow specialist skills in the cloud sector.”
The centre will offer cloud services to governments and businesses, with a team of multidisciplinary cloud practitioners and project managers on offer.
“For our Australian clients, the centre provides a platform where they can work closely with NCS resident experts and partners to discuss ideas and co-create innovative cloud solutions to address impending business needs,” NCS CEO Ng Kuo Pin said.
NCS has established the NEXT Innovation Triangle, with nodes in Singapore, Melbourne and Shenzhen, along with the centres of excellence to work on new applications, processes and services.
The company expanded to Australia late last year in partnership with Optus Enterprise. Both companies are owned by Singtel Group.
NCS Next Solutions Australia head Andre Conti said the organisation had also signed on to sponsor and participate in the Victorian Government’s Digital Jobs program. This scheme will see 5,000 mid-career Victorians completing a six-month program, including 12 weeks of industry training and 12 weeks in a digital job with a local business, such as NCS.
“We’re steadily growing in Australia, and with the launch of the cloud centre here we will help our partners and clients to become more competitive and increase the ways they deliver their benefits to partners and citizens,” Mr Conti said.
At the launch event, Mr Pallas emphasised the state’s already strong tech performance.
“Victoria is already an innovative, progessive, tech-focused state that is already attracting the best technology companies from all over the world. We’re fast becoming the epicentre for tech companies and the tech skills boom,” he said.
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