London, 26th June 2008: Family Mosaic, a leading housing association located across seven major sites and over 80 smaller offices, has signed a new agreement with Telstra International to deliver IT service efficiencies across the organisation. As part of the agreement, Telstra International, the supplier of global managed network services, provides high-speed MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) network connectivity and secure hosting facilities for the Family Mosaic server farms.

The agreement also includes the deployment and management of firewalls as all internet connectivity is accessed via the hosting centre. In choosing MPLS, Family Mosaic has streamlined operations and enhanced business activity, taking advantage of its performance, flexibility and scalability. The ability to simplify and interconnect was essential, becoming evident when a VoIP solution was implemented across the group.

Nick Crane, Network Manager at Family Mosaic, said: “We are one of the largest housing associations in the UK so it is critical for all employees to access our applications all of the time. Moving to Telstra has enabled us to implement and deliver against strict service level agreements, and ultimately support these business demands.”  In outsourcing its entire IT server infrastructure to Telstra’s London data and hosting centre, Family Mosaic has mitigated its previous disaster recovery exposures, increasing the security and availability of all systems.

Telstra and Family Mosaic worked together to design a next-generation network service, meeting the unique requirements. Firstly, an MPLS Virtual Private Network (VPN) has been implemented to replace X21 point-to-point connections. All major sites are connected via high capacity connections, and smaller sites benefit from ADSL Max connections. This implementation doubles the original network capacity without increasing Family Mosaic’s operational costs.

Nick Crane said: “By using Telstra to manage our network, we are in a very strong position - the housing association market is very active at the moment, and the new infrastructure makes it very easy to integrate new offices. Telstra has exceeded our expectations at every stage of the process and our new strategy will greatly enhance our position in the market.”

Simon Vye, CEO Telstra International EMEA, comments: “At a time when all organisations are thinking about how they can reduce IT spend, the cloud-computing approach offers a way of managing investment and operational costs. Telstra is delighted to be supporting Family Mosaic in delivering a next-generation network service to facilitate improved communication with the community

ABOUT FAMILY MOSAIC

Family Mosaic is a housing association that provides good quality, affordable homes and housing services to over 45,000 people in communities across London and Essex.  It currently employs 1400 staff.

Family Mosaic has over 20,000 homes and our house building programme aims to deliver 1000 homes every year. We sell shared ownership properties to people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford their own home. Family Mosaic also has an excellent reputation for providing homes for people with extra support needs – helping people to live independently in the community and manage their own tenancies.

While a big organisation, Family Mosaic’s strength is in retaining a local focus, its operational staff making increasing use of new technology to carry out their jobs within its communities more effectively.

ABOUT TELSTRA INTERNATIONAL

Telstra International is a leading global supplier of managed network services and a division of the leading Australian-based, tier 1 telecommunications and media services company, Telstra Corporation Limited.

Telstra provides global solutions to the world's top companies. Telstra owns one the most technologically advanced IP backbone global networks in the world. 

Telstra’s portfolio is complemented by its independently-owned and managed switched UK network. The network incorporates strategic Points of Presence (PoPs) across the UK, including two data centres located in London Docklands and Cambridge, and interlinks seamlessly with Telstra’s highly-advanced global network.

Visit www.telstra-international.co.uk for further information.

For further information, to arrange an interview or request photography; please contact Lisa Worrall or Louisa Benckendorff at Nelson Bostock Communications:

Phone: +44 (0)20 7229 4400 
Fax: +44 (0)20 7792 7431
Email: lisa.worrall@nelsonbostock.com / Louisa.benckendorff@nelsonbostock.com
Web: www.nelsonbostock.com