(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — The web hosting division of Australia’s Macquarie Telecom, Macquarie Hosting (www.macquarietelecom.com/hosting), has signed a three year, $1 million deal with Healthways Australia (www.healthways.com), to host its Internet-based suite of health and wellness resources to help Australians measure their current health, assess risks and prevent future health problems.
A leading international provider of health support services, including wellness, prevention and chronic disease management services, Healthways Australia’s web hosting was awarded to Macquarie Hosting following a competitive tender. The Healthways service will focus on prevention, education and support for common health needs, providing Australians access to information they need to proactively manage their health and improve their quality of life.
This deal also reflects Macquarie’s strategic approach of partnering with health organisations to deliver eHealth solutions, a sector that is expected to grow significantly in the next 12 to 18 months as the government invests substantial funds in overhauling and improving the national health system.
“Australia has one of the best health-care systems in the world, however if we are to continue improving the system and better manage the tsunami of chronic diseases coming through, then broad access to personal quality online health resources and large scale telephonic support are critical” Healthways strategy director Craig Bosworth said in a statement.
Macquarie Hosting also provides dedicated server hosting and data services for some of Australia’s leading health organisations including the National E-Health Transition Authority, Smart Health, Map of Medicine, OZDoc’s Online, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre Sydney University, Medicines Australia, Alphapharm, Novartis, Merk Sharp and Dome, ResMed, and Catholic Health Care.
“Australians seek security from their health care and we were seeking security for their health information,” Bosworth said. “Macquarie Hosting with its proven experience working with online businesses and Government departments gave us the confidence we needed to scale easily to support future expansion of the service.”
All Healthways’ online resources and mission critical applications including customised health information, health risk assessments, health coaching and on-line personal health records will be hosted on Macquarie Hosting servers in the Intellicentre, its ISO 27001-certified and PCI-compliant data center in Sydney. Macquarie Hosting will also provide the managed dedicated server hosting services required to support its growth in Australia as well as its expansion into the Asia Pacific region. It also includes all data and voice services for Healthways Australia’s Care Enhancement Centre located in North Ryde.
Healthways Australia announced its entry into the Australian market with a November 2008 partnership worth more than $100 million over five years with Australia’s third largest health insurer, HCF (www.hcf.com.au).
