Case Study – University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham has over 20,000 students, with approximately 6,000 of its enrollees living in halls of residence during term time. Once vacated these campus buildings are also used to host delegates attending external conferences and events in the Birmingham area.
As a part of an initiative to improve facilities for its live-in student population and visiting conference delegates, the University decided to upgrade its voice and data network and increase the number of telephone handsets throughout the entire campus.
The University of Birmingham needed a technology partner that could take care of all aspects of their Wi-Fi and Network Infrastructure deployment with the minimum of disruption.
Mike Morrison, CEO, ISG Technology
The Challenge
With just 12 weeks in which to install 6,500 telephone terminals, the roll-out required detailed planning and skilled project management. Time constraints were further exaggerated by a clash with the World Disability Games which were held in the city.
As all of the participating athletes were staying at the University, it was critical for the deployment to be completed quickly with minimal disruption to guests attending The Games, as well as several other events being held during the summer break.
It was also necessary to consider the particular construction challenges that can occur working around the traditional build characteristics of some of the UK’s leading universities – including Birmingham which was founded in 1900. To overcome any issues of this ilk, the client needed a supplier with experience of deployment in specialist buildings.
Business Benefits
To address all of the challenges presented by the project, ISG Technology drew on its vast experience of working with other universities, including Salford, Central Lancashire and Stirling. As well as an awareness of the technological considerations, ISG’s expertise in older buildings of historical importance also benefited from the installation.
In choosing a technology provider with proven experience in the education sector, The University of Birmingham was extremely satisfied with the management of the project, as well as the end result, and commended ISG on the expert capabilities of its staff.
The deployment was successfully completed within the specified 12 week window and crucially without significant impact on the University’s secondary income activities.
Solutions
ISG Technology supplied all structured cabling for the installation and worked alongside the appointed Ericsson team to oversee the deployment of telephone terminals in each of the 6,200 bedrooms, plus 300 administration outlets.
As well as increasing and improving its telecommunications infrastructure, the University also required the installation of television and data cabling, linking all of the campus buildings within a five mile radius throughout the city.
ISG were able to meet the University’s requirements on this project because of our wide range of competencies and nationwide coverage. Our Professionals Services team provide experience-based advice and solution design services, while our multi-skilled engineers can provide auditing, surveying and installation services for WiFi and any other aspect of physical infrastructure – along with the capability to undertake a variety of other tasks that might be needed to complete a project – such as power installation or implementing specific proprietary systems and software.
Once systems have been installed, ISG’s service desk provides user support and takes care of delivering 24×7 break-fix maintenance whenever required.
Design
Network Infrastructure consultancy and design providing the right technology solutions for your business.
Deploy
Planning and implementation services with large scale rapid deployment capability across UK and Europe.
Manage
24/7 Remote network monitoring, support, systems maintenance and UK wide break-fix services.
