The client
A global, multi-billion dollar diversified asset management firm dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of clients through innovative solutions and exceptional service.
The challenge
The client’s sizeable IT estate was split across two locations: over 40 racks were installed in a third-party data centre (their primary facility) whilst another 24 were set within an onsite computer room. Planned redevelopment of the main data centre site required the identification of an alternative facility that had to be within one hour travelling time from central London. In order to reduce risk to the business from a major incident in central London, it was also decided to impose a 'no facility' zone within a 15km radius of the City offices.
What happened?
In order to optimise the costs of IT support to the business, the organisation decided to simplify and standardise existing infrastructure arrangements. The overall project would involve the use of hyper-converged systems to reduce existing rack requirements over time. In addition, cloud connectivity had to be a consideration as some services would potentially migrate to Microsoft Office365 whilst remote office services would be consolidated through Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
To assist them with the project, the client turned to a well-established but independent IT management consultancy specialising in assisting businesses to optimise return on IT investments and maximise the effectiveness of their IT operations.
Before starting, they agreed a number of core principles to include:
- the importance of an agile flexible infrastructure to handle globally unpredictable expansion and contraction
- the provision of services capable of meeting changing data regulations
- support for legacy applications
- the avoidance of vendor lock-ins.
In addition to the pre-defined requirement for location, the primary data centre would need to support these core principles with appropriate levels of security, resilience, network, cloud connectivity and service.
Once the evaluation process was underway, the project team reviewed an initial list of 12 providers before ending up with the final two contenders, Datum and one other international multi-site provider.
Datum colocation
Having satisfied themselves that the Datum facility would tick all the boxes, they set for their physical security and resilience requirements, the key differentiator for the client was Datum’s service wrap.
The Datum concierge approach to the delivery of the project meant that the client team could approach the transition as a positive step with the peace of mind that they would be supported every step of the way.
Datum’s client service also stood out above the others for whom the provision of co-location was clearly seen as a commodity service.
The client has initially taken 12 racks set within a dedicated secure cage within the data hall, with two further Telco racks in one of the facility’s 'meet-me rooms'. Capacity for expansion has been built into the footprint and the transition is taking place over a number of months, culminating in operational go-live in Q4 2017.
Of particular note
Datum’s levels of client service and flexible approach were strong benefits to the client team who were keen to ensure the data centre would act as a supporter and not an inhibitor to the business as it grew. The commitment to transparency and partnership was in line with the client’s own values of service and innovation whilst the existing client list reassured the whole team of the solidity of the offering.
In the client’s own words:
Datum stood out because of the way they engaged with us from the start - they made it clear that each and every client was important to them. When you're dealing with your organisation’s core business systems, it is important to be able to trust that your provider will work with you to ensure its physical security and resilience.
More case studies
Case study
Service Providers
Business continuity
Case study
Service Providers
Cloud and professional services provider
Case study
Enterprise
Construction and engineering - IT transformation
Case study
Partner / Service Providers
Global IT service provider
Case study
Service Providers
Hosting and managed service provider
Case study
Service Providers
Hybrid IT service provider
Case study
Enterprise / Service Providers
Legal services - IT migration and digital transformation
