Local governments are increasingly embracing digital transformation, using technology to enhance service delivery and meet the evolving needs of their constituents more efficiently and effectively. Northern Beaches Council in New South Wales, Australia, faced unique challenges on this path. With a population of over 266,000, the area’s diverse terrain and susceptibility to natural disasters, such as flooding and bushfires, have made reliable broadband access and robust IT infrastructure crucial for delivering uninterrupted municipal services. Working with VMware and our partner Coevolve, Northern Beaches Council overcame these challenges by implementing VMware SD-WAN™ to provide always-on services to its community.
“With VMware, what is written on the box is what you get—it’s exactly how it performs. We worked with VMware integrators and partners, and we were able to implement VMware SD-WAN just as it should work.”
Michael Turner, CIO, Northern Beaches Council
Connectivity in adverse conditions
Northern Beaches Council faced significant challenges in maintaining consistent broadband connectivity. The region’s experiences with bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a resilient network. Traditional fiber infrastructure often proved inadequate, especially in locations susceptible to flooding. The Council’s primary goal was to ensure continuous availability of essential services such as waste disposal, council events, surf safety, and local news to its community.
Implementing VMware SD-WAN
In pursuit of a resilient IT infrastructure, the Council’s Chief Information Officer, Michael Turner, opted for VMware SD-WAN, facilitated by VMware’s partner, Coevolve. Their choice was influenced by VMware’s consistent ranking as a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SD-WAN. The Council paired VMware SD-WAN with Starlink satellite-powered internet to address its community’s broadband needs effectively. VMware Edge Intelligence™ was also integrated to monitor network health using AI and ML, enhancing the Council’s ability to manage outages and support remote incident resolution.
Enhanced connectivity and IoT capabilities
The implementation of VMware SD-WAN has dramatically improved the reliability and efficiency of the Council’s network. It enables the use of multiple broadband options simultaneously, routing internet traffic through the most effective channel, and ensures an optimal user experience regardless of location. This technological advancement has also paved the way for exciting adjacent programs aligned with the Northern Beaches Toward 2040 smart city vision, such as smart parking, soil monitoring, and smart street lighting controls.
“Partnering with Northern Beaches Council to upgrade its IT infrastructure required using our decades of industry experience and knowledge of SASE and SD-WAN best practices to choose the best configuration and build secure, redundant network constituents can rely on.”
Ciaran Roche, CTO of Coevolve
Setting the standard for digital municipal services
Northern Beaches Council’s journey with VMware SD-WAN sets a benchmark for other councils in New South Wales and beyond, illustrating the potential of digital transformation in the public sector. The successful deployment not only showcases VMware’s reliable performance but also highlights Coevolve’s expertise in secure, redundant network construction. Their story serves as a testament to the power of innovative technology in overcoming geographical and environmental challenges, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical municipal services.
