Speedy service is key to data centre rack supply

When leading energy service provider E.ON UK needed to equip its new data centres with more than 130 new racks, cost was not the deciding factor.

E.ON UK is one of the UK's leading energy service providers with headquarters in Coventry, England.

It serves approximately six million gas and electric customers, is the largest conventional generator in the UK, runs the electricity distribution network for central England and has over 12,000 employees.

To increase efficiency, enhance the re-organisation of personnel and provide a shared facility for IS, E.ON had elected to consolidate nine existing data centres into two, housed within a new facility.

Previous installations had been project led which had resulted in different styles, sizes and functionality for each batch of enclosures.

The decision was taken that the new data centres would use only one rack supplier thereby reducing costs and simplifying the installation.

After considerable research, involving three possible suppliers, E.ON finally selected Rittal.

Cost was not the deciding factor in this decision as the proposal from Rittal was not the lowest.

However, when all other criteria of the supply was considered, including technical merit, quality and the speed of supply, together with Rittal's ability to project manage the installation "end to end", Rittal was deemed overall to be the most cost effective.

Over 130 racks were required for the installation, all 1000mm deep, to accommodate the servers, in two heights, 42 and 47U, and 600mm wide with some racks 800mm wide for easier cable management.

Delivery, including installation, siting and baying was required within 4 to 6 weeks.

Rittal was able to meet this tight deadline.

The innovative divider panels, which allow cables to pass from rack to rack meant that the installation of the equipment by E.ON personnel was extremely quick and efficient.

The entire package from Rittal including products, service, siting, installation and project management is available within the Rittal FastRack service.

Steve Hancox, Project Manager said: "The offer of the complete service, from timely supply to full installation, was one of the deciding factors for us".

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