NHS Dudley has completed a new state-of the-art data centre after signing a contract with XMA/2bm.
2bm, a subcontractor to XMA, were identified through an OGC Buying Solutions Catalist national framework as being suitable to meet the organisation’s tender requirement, which specified a seven week timescale and fixed budget.
The project included the construction of a new computer suite made from pre-fabricated panels for rapid build on site.
Bill Remmer, head of IT at NHS Dudley, said: “Our aim was to make the company with the successful tender our sole supplier for the environmental management of all our computer systems, cabling and racking.
"2bm have given us a state-of-the-art data centre that meets our requirements and at a very good price.”
The PCT also decided to install a cold corridor to reduce air conditioning costs and to enable more than 20 racks to be stored in a small area.
Neil Roberts, sales manager at 2bm, said: “2bm’s cold corridor solution ensures that rack temperatures remains at the inlet temperature of 19C.
"Not only does this give optimum environmental protection for servers, but for every degree variance that can be removed between inlet and rack temperature clients see a 20% saving on running costs.”
The company also minimised the risk of system failure by provided tier three data protection for the facility with N+1 back-up on the air conditioning system, power supply and generator.
Remmer added: “The data centre marks the PCT’s move to enterprise computing that comprises highly capable and resilient IT business use. It is quite unusual for smaller organisations such a us to have such a high calibre platform and XMA/2bm has been instrumental in helping achieve this.”
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