This new state data center at SUNY IT will bring new 21st century high tech jobs to the Mohawk Valley and serve all citizens of New York State by ensuring the state has a reliable, secure, state-of-the-art facility," Governor Pataki said.
The New York State Office for Technology currently operates four data centers, serving 27 state agencies. The centers operate 24 hours a day, year round, supplying operational and technical expertise necessary to support computing needs of agencies. The data centers support critical initiatives for public health and welfare agencies, labor, public safety and homeland security, education, and tax and finance.
CIO Mittleman said, "Consolidating data centers is an industry best practice with proven results for enhancing security and reducing operational costs in both the public and private sectors. This new data center will continue the vision set out by Governor Pataki who has long promoted the use of information technology to enhance services for citizens through e-government. In a new consolidated data center we can better leverage our state's technology investments and provide higher quality computer services to state agencies, local governments and citizens in a more cost effective manner."
The State's data centers provide necessary information and services to administer essential citizen programs. Examples include initiatives such as the Child Abuse Registry, Child Health Plus, Counter-Terrorism Alert System, Driver's License Renewal and Vehicle Registration, Tuition Assistance Program, Welfare Management System, Teacher Certification, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Worker Protection Systems.
On September 26, the State University of New York transferred 21 acres of real property located at the Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome to the New York State Office of General Services (OGS). OGS is currently performing site evaluations including geotechnical and environmental reviews as required by the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to evaluate potential environmental impacts. Once completed, OGS will begin design schematics. Construction of the data center is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2007 and anticipated to be complete in March of 2010.
The new data center will have approximately 75,000 square feet of raised floor space and will be scalable to meet future computing demands. The new facility will be designed to provide redundant power feeds with back-up generators ensuring operation of the facility in the event of a power failure. The state will migrate as many of the existing computer systems as is feasible and will purchase new equipment only as necessary to make upgrades within the normal technology refresh cycle or to meet new demand.
