Full service solution for Kent’s leading seat of learning
Working in an occupied building to refurbish and upgrade a data centre is never easy: when it’s in the heart of a university campus, the risks become even greater. Yet Future-Tech’s project to bring a 25-year-old University of Kent data centre into the 21st century proved that considerate, capable contractors really do exist.
This major refit project, which took place in 2008 across the University’s Spring Term, was centred on a 1980s computer room that had seen little upgrade since it first opened. Future-Tech won a competitive tender for the refit and benefited from the fact that the University had housed their key IT equipment elsewhere for the duration of the project.
“Prior to going out to tender, we talked to other universities to find out which companies operated in this market and who had a good reputation,” explained Martin Broom, Operations Manager for Computer Services at the University of Kent. “We came up with a shortlist of half a dozen and Future-Tech was among them. During the tender process, the University interviewed four prospective contractors. Future-Tech was competitive on price, but what made the company stand out was their team’s knowledge of what needed to be done and commitment to this project. They got the right people involved from the start – something that has continued throughout our working relationship.”
To ensure that their IT services were unaffected throughout the refit process, the University migrated its main systems temporarily to its Medway Campus. “We came on site to find a fairly empty room,” commented Future-Tech’s Frank Wilman. “That was just as well as the project demanded pretty much the replacement of everything needed for a data centre. We started with some structural work which involved building a new wall before carrying out a full redecoration of the area.
“Our work then involved a full fit-out with raised access flooring, a full electrical installation involving new UPS systems and all the necessary switchgear and even a new standby generator. One of the issues with the site was that the main generator was situated away from the room, so we needed to build a route for all the new cabling from the power source to the room.
“Another major upgrade to the room was new air conditioning. The previous system was significantly out of date, providing air through the ceiling. We were able to introduce air handling that enabled better control of the airflow and significantly reduced energy usage.
“With the reliance of organisations on their IT today, safety and security of the data centre is paramount, and we worked with the University of Kent and their Project Managers, Currie & Brown, to ensure the new room was effectively kitted out with fire detection and suppression and leak detection systems, together with a Building Management System providing constant monitoring and precise control of the air conditioning, lighting and other functions.
“The project also involved installing door access controls and CCTV to help ensure the security of the data centre.” Future-Tech were working in the heart of the University in a well used environment during term time, but were determined not to interrupt the daily-life of the campus. “We installed an information board at the site entrance explaining what we were doing and providing contact details. We also worked with the University’s Health and Safety team to ensure all risks were assessed and minimised when we were moving kit through the campus. “We build a good relationship with the University and are continuing this through an on-going maintenance agreement.”
Commenting on the University’s perspective on Future-Tech’s work, Martin Broom said: “I was impressed by Future-Tech’s professionalism. They stood out at tender stage and lived up to our expectations on site. We quickly built a good rapport with the Future-Tech team quite simply because they were easy to work with. Their ‘man on the ground’, Paul Whiteing, was fairly local to the campus and he ensured we were able to call on Future-Tech’s specific expertise whenever we need it.
“For instance, our initial design included a small lift from the entrance area up to the main part of the room. Future-Tech suggested that a better and more cost effective solution to our need would be to install a ramp instead of a lift. They were happy to meet with our Health & Safety team to talk through the changes, and what we’ve ended up with is definitely the best solution.
“Future-Tech’s team are clearly experts in this kind of work, but are not precious with their expertise. They were happy to share their experience for our benefit and work with us to overcome any issues around the project.
“We’ve maintained our relationship with them through a maintenance contract for the computer room. In the past, we’ve always had individual contractors looking after the power, the air conditioning or whatever. Now, Future-Tech look after the lot. It may not seem the cheapest solution, but it provides a significantly higher level of service – as well as a much greater degree of peace of mind. And so far, the relationship’s working very well.”
For more information contact Future-Tech on 0845 9000 127
Email: info@future-tech.co.uk
