HOSTING (ENTERPRISE COMPUTE & CLOUD SERVICES)
Modern government depends on technology that is secure, reliable, and adaptable to changing business needs. As computing has evolved beyond the traditional data center, agencies now have more options than ever for deploying and operating business applications.
Mississippi Information Technology Services (ITS) provides Enterprise Compute & Cloud Services through a shared enterprise approach. Rather than each agency independently building and operating complex computing environments, ITS provides platforms, operational expertise, and technical services that agencies can use to support their missions. This approach strengthens security, improves operational efficiency, and allows agencies to benefit from shared capabilities across state government.
Today, enterprise computing spans multiple environments, including the Enterprise Private Cloud, public cloud platforms, the enterprise mainframe, and co-location services. Together, these environments provide the flexibility to support traditional business systems and modern digital services on a common foundation of expertise, operations, and enterprise support.
Cloud Center of Excellence
Cloud computing has expanded the ways agencies can build, deploy, and operate technology. Public cloud platforms, enterprise private cloud, software-as-a-service, and vendor-hosted solutions each offer distinct capabilities, but they also introduce new considerations for architecture, security, operations, cost, and long-term support. As technology choices have grown, so has the need for a coordinated statewide approach to evaluating and adopting modern computing services.
Recognizing the growing importance of enterprise computing and cloud technologies, Mississippi established the Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) within ITS as part of its statewide cloud strategy. Directed by the Legislature, the CCoE brings together the expertise, guidance, and enterprise services agencies need to successfully adopt modern computing technologies. It serves as the State’s central resource for evaluating computing options, sharing technical expertise, connecting agencies with enterprise capabilities, and supporting informed technology decisions.
The CCoE collaborates with agencies throughout the planning, procurement, implementation, and modernization of technology solutions. By engaging early, agencies can better understand available computing environments, evaluate proposed solutions, identify opportunities to use enterprise services, and develop approaches that support both immediate business needs and long-term success.
Agencies engage the CCoE to:
- Evaluate computing and cloud options
- Review solution architectures and vendor proposals
- Plan cloud adoption and modernization initiatives
- Understand available enterprise computing environments
- Navigate statewide cloud standards and guidance
- Connect with the ITS teams that provide enterprise compute services
Computing Environments
Enterprise computing is no longer confined to a single platform or technology. Today's business solutions may use one or several computing environments, each selected to meet particular business, operational, technical, and security requirements. Mississippi provides agencies with multiple environments so that solutions can be deployed where they are best suited while benefiting from shared services and operational support.
Enterprise Private Cloud
The Enterprise Private Cloud provides a stable, shared computing environment for many business systems that support state government. Hosted within Mississippi's State Data Centers, it is well suited for applications that require traditional virtual infrastructure, predictable operations, established support models, or close integrations with existing enterprise services. Agencies benefit from centrally managed infrastructure, backup and recovery, disaster recovery capabilities, and operational support while remaining focused on the applications that support their missions.
To access the Enterprise Private Cloud portal and begin the build request process, you must be connected to the StateNet network and sign in using your StateID credentials.
Public Cloud Services
Public cloud services expand the range of tools available to agencies by providing access to scalable infrastructure, cloud-native services, and modern platform capabilities. Through enterprise services in Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, agencies can build new applications, modernize existing systems, adopt advanced data and application services, and respond more quickly to changing business needs. Public cloud services complement the Enterprise Private Cloud by offering additional flexibility, scale, and service options within a consistent enterprise approach.
Mainframe Services
Some of Mississippi's most critical government systems continue to rely on the enterprise mainframe because of its exceptional reliability, performance, and ability to process large volumes of transactions. For decades, the mainframe has provided a dependable foundation for essential government services, and it continues to play an important role within the State's broader computing environment.
Co-location Services
Not every technology solution is designed for shared infrastructure or cloud platforms. Some agencies require dedicated hardware, specialized equipment, or unique technical configurations to support specific business needs. Co-location services provide secure space within Mississippi's State Data Centers where agencies can deploy and operate their own equipment while benefitting from resilient facilities, physical security, environmental controls, and enterprise network connectivity.
A Shared Foundation
Each computing environment serves a different purpose, but all are part of a shared foundation for state government. Whether an application runs in the Enterprise Private Cloud, public cloud, on the enterprise mainframe, or within a co-location facility, agencies benefit from common expertise, operational support, security practices, and enterprise services provided by ITS.
This approach allows agencies to select the environment that best fits their business needs while relying on capabilities that would be difficult or costly to build independently. As technology and agency needs continue to evolve, Enterprise Compute & Cloud Services provide a flexible foundation for supporting today's systems and the next generation of digital government services.
Resources
The following resources provide additional information for agencies planning and evaluating new compute technologies:
Contact
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