Location
- Regional Victoria
- Length of relationship – Working with Otto since 2000
Key equipment/products/services provided:
Internet, cybersecurity, server infrastructure, VoIP phone system, onsite IT support, project delivery, remote IT support, data centre services
South Gippsland Water needed a reliable disaster recovery solution to ensure uninterrupted service delivery, especially after being classified as an essential service during the 2008 droughts. Otto IT partnered with Omniconnect to build a private wireless backbone network and implement a robust failover system across multiple internet connections. The result was a resilient infrastructure that allows seamless continuity between sites and remote control of critical systems, helping the organisation maintain service even during unexpected outages.
The Problem
After the severe droughts of 2008, South Gippsland Water is recognised as an essential service. The experience of running out of water and having to truck it in made it clear that they needed a continuity plan. Their infrastructure had to be strong enough to withstand disruptions and flexible enough to keep operations running without delay. But at the time, they didn’t have a disaster recovery system in place that could guarantee that level of reliability.
The Consequences
Without a proper continuity system, South Gippsland Water struggled to meet demand during critical periods. When their main site couldn’t operate, water had to be delivered manually, which was costly and inefficient. It also affected the service received by end users, who rely on consistent access to water and sewerage services. The lack of remote access meant that even small issues, like a pump failure, required someone to physically attend the site, adding delays and increasing operational strain.
The Solution
Otto IT worked alongside Omniconnect to design and implement a private wireless backbone network with a 100 Mbps connection between South Gippsland Water’s two main sites. This allowed the work environment to be replicated across both locations, ensuring continuity in case one site went down. We also installed multiple redundant internet links, including fibre, private and public Wi-Fi, and 3G, 4G, and 5G connections, all configured with automatic failover. This setup meant that if one connection failed, another would take over instantly, keeping systems online without interruption.
The Challenges
Getting the auto-failover system to work smoothly across such a diverse mix of internet connections was a challenge. Fibre and mobile networks behave differently, and coordinating them required careful planning and testing. Another major hurdle was ensuring the infrastructure could support 24/7 operations. We had to make sure there were enough host servers in place so that if one needed maintenance, the others could continue running without any impact on customer service. It was a complex setup, but one that paid off in reliability.
Project Outcome – The Benefits
South Gippsland Water now operates with a fully monitored environment that supports automatic failover to a secondary disaster recovery site. If one of their production sites goes down, services continue without disruption. Staff also have remote access to their network of sites, which means they can respond to issues like pump failures without needing to travel. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces costs and ensures a higher level of service for the community.
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