Data Centres

The Challenge

R&D was being undertaken in over 200 local hubs spread across the globe with little cross over in data and knowledge share. Many of these facilities were housed in existing office space with PUEs in excess of 2.5. The challenge was to develop a strategy that would centralise data processing, analysis and storage, and reduce energy usage throughout the client’s portfolio.

The Opportunity

To develop and deploy an operational standard that delivers a consistent approach globally and drive functional and cost efficiencies provided by purpose-built data centres that are scalable, flexible and support the business need. A strategic solution which meets the capacity, security and resiliency needs of the client’s business and sustainability targets which has the ability to respond flexibly to future business requirements, conform to current regulations and support the adoption of best practice guidelines.

The Solution

Firstly, a successful workshops programme was implemented ensuring that business needs and statement of requirements briefs were agreed and signed off by 54 stakeholders throughout the organisation. From this, a concept was developed that provided facilities that were fully scalable (space and load – 1kW-25kW racks and average density of 7,000 W/sqm) and met with stringent CSR commitments. The roll-out of the data centre programme formed part of a wider business change programme, where we delivered the right solution, driving behavioural change which was critical to overall business success. The business case and plan drove a reduction of overall annual run costs of 25% and estate consolidation from over 200 individual sites to 4 key global hubs.