The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will run its driving records database in a virtualized cloud environment following a migration from physical data centers.

Cloud systems supplier Virtustream will lead the agency’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Gateway Augmentation project.

The DOT will use the MicroKloud cloud computing solution from MicroTech to migrate its mission-critical applications to Virtustream’s FISMA-certified cloud data center.

The DOT, which previously used physical data centers to support its driving records database, selected OBXtek, along with MicroTech and Virtustream, to reduce its footprint through a database migration to virtualised and cloud environments. 

Virtustream’s virtual government class cloud offers the advantages of a fully managed, high performance, highly secure, FISMA-certified infrastructure. In addition to the technical advantages, the department also made the decision to move to the cloud in response to the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative encouraging all government organisations to embrace cloud computing in order to reduce data center footprint.

“Our success with the U.S. Department of Transportation highlights the value Virtustream offers to all government agencies seeking to achieve the benefits of the data center consolidation initiative,” said Rodney Rogers, chairman and CEO of Virtustream. “Our strategic technology collaboration with MicroTech and OBXtek is already generating interest and gaining significant traction across the federal sector.”

MicroTech’s MicroKloud is powered by xStream, Virtustream’s cloud software solution.  Virtustream will also host the FMCSA database and website.

“By partnering with Virtustream, we have expanded our portfolio with comprehensive cloud and virtualisation solutions, including FISMA certification which is required to protect sensitive information and assets from external threats,” said Tony Jimenez, president and CEO of MicroTech.