Datacom has won a managed IT services contract with Atlas Group Holding Limited’s Atlas Specialty Metals group. The two year deal sees Datacom assume full responsibility for Atlas Specialty Metals’ facilities management and Disaster Recovery planning services.

 Atlas Specialty Metals (formerly Atlas Steels) is Australia’s largest distributor of stainless steel and specialty metal products.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Datacom will manage Atlas Specialty Metals’ entire data centre IT infrastructure. This includes hosting and administration of the company’s servers and business-critical applications, including its SAP UNIX production and development environments.

Datacom’s solution includes 24x7 operations monitoring, escalation of hardware faults, maintaining operating systems software, tape storage and back up services. Furthermore, Datacom will provide a 24x7 business continuity services to enable Atlas Specialty Metals to recover critical systems in the event of a disaster.

Atlas Specialty Metals awarded the contract to Datacom after a rigorous market assessment following the expiry of its previous service agreement with a tier one outsourcing provider. Datacom’s success was based upon its flexible engagement model, competitive pricing, dual Australian data centre facilities and the excellent cultural fit between the two organisations.

Ben Hancock, Group MIS Manager, Atlas Specialty Metals said, “We needed a partner with a responsive, honest and consultative approach to business. Datacom has strong in-house expertise in a range of technologies that will continue to support our business as we grow. Their comprehensive Melbourne data centre, technical expertise and competitive pricing gave us the confidence we were looking for.”

“We think this partnership with Datacom will provide opportunities for us to continue to consolidate and optimise our IT resources now, and as our business grows,” he said.

Michael Browne, CEO, Datacom, said, “We’re delighted that a successful local business like Atlas Specialty Metals has the confidence to entrust their vital IT infrastructure to Datacom. We see this win as a further sign of the traction we’re making in the Victorian market.”

Datacom and Atlas Specialty Metals signed the outsourcing contract in May 2005. Following a three month transition period, the contracted services are now fully live and being provided from Datacom’s South Melbourne data centre.