Web hosting services provider Hostworks (ASX:HWG), has entered into a three year managed services contract with Ticketek to host the ticketing company’s critical business applications.

The $6.1m agreement will see Hostworks manage Ticketek’s critical IT infrastructure for both Australia and New Zealand. This includes Ticketek’s internal ticketing, data warehousing and financial applications and email system. Hostworks will also provide Ticketek’s Disaster Recovery solution.

Hostworks has managed Ticketek’s web-hosting infrastructure for its ticketing system since 1999 and the latest agreement is a significant expansion of the business relationship between the two companies.

Ticketek CEO Peter Stirling Benson said the extended partnership with Hostworks was “a sensible step” to meet an integrity and security imperative. “From where I sit, the main imperative is to ensure a secure environment,” he said. “Our technology has outgrown the space available. Also the increased importance of that technology has demanded that we house it offsite in a fully secure and managed environment.

“Given the growing importance of the online channel, it’s a sensible step to move from running our own IT systems to having Hostworks provide a fully managed solution located in their secure external data centres for our IT infrastructure serving our offices in Australia and New Zealand.

“This new arrangement will enhance stability, capacity and functionality. Hostworks employs leading edge and reliable technology, which is consistent with where we want to go. Hostworks is flexible, enthusiastic and results-driven. Hostworks is in it for the long term.”

Under the agreement, Hostworks will continue to manage Ticketek’s web-hosting ticketing infrastructure. It will begin to manage Ticketek’s internal ticketing, data warehouse and financial applications and its email system. These back office systems are used by Ticketek staff, call centre personnel, box offices and agencies throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Hostworks will provide physical hardware security, connectivity, data centre availability, operating system and application management.

Benson said the online component of Ticketek’s activity was growing rapidly. “Online is a critical component of how we operate today and it will continue to grow in the future,” he said. “We invest in leading edge systems to provide our customers with simplicity, speed and ease of access.”

Hostworks managing director Marty Gauvin said the Ticketek agreement demonstrated the success of Hostworks’ business model. “This contract highlights Hostworks’ established track record as a provider of whole of IT infrastructure managed services,” he said. “It also demonstrates our competitive position as one of Australia’s leading selective sourcing providers ahead of first generation outsourcers such as IBM, EDS, CSC and KAZ.”