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CASESTUDY
MORRISONS CLEANS UP
DATA CENTRE BEST PRACTICE
If the cost of a data centre going down for just one day could run to
many thousands of pounds, downtime is simply not an option
M
orrisons has continued its investment in The appointment of 8 Solutions will see the deep
preventative maintenance for its two data cleaning specialist provide environmental contamination
centres and 18 distribution sites, with the management and professional cleaning of all Morrison’s
The
appointment of data centre contamination specialists, 8 data centres and communications rooms, throughout
importance
Solutions as its exclusive partner with responsibility for the UK. But 8 Solutions managing director, Amit Mehta
of cleaning
the preventative maintenance of all its mission-critical IT explained, it’s not just about making equipment shine:
facilities. “Professional data centre cleaning is still seen by some
is defi nitely
Morrisons data centre and operations manager, as a non-essential cost, rather than vital to business
underestimated
Darryl Shears noted: “The facility had been in use for continuity, but people are defi nitely becoming more
… This is
about 18 months when I took over, but before that no- educated to its importance. We have even seen
one had thought about specialist cleaning – or the risks equipment warranties be deemed void due to a lack of
simply not
they were running. I knew we had to change that.” preventative maintenance so simply from a TCO [total-
the way to go
Built in 2006 and fully equipped with the very latest cost-of-ownership] point of view, it’s serious stuff.”
about things,
IT systems, Morrisons’ Bradford headquarters forms the Warranty invalidation is just one area that data centre
core of the business’ retail operations, and houses the managers need to consider. Rising power consumption,
especially
company’s main data centre. Designed to support stores increased downtime and falling overall effi ciency are
if you want
nationwide as well as Morrisons’ distribution network all serious issues that can be caused by contaminates
to minimise
– from global procurement and logistics, to transaction infesting a data centre or comms room.
processing and payroll for all it’s employees – its data Mehta added: “The business of specialist cleaning
downtime and
centres manage almost every aspect of the commercial certainly isn’t just about wiping a duster over the racks.
maximise the
operation. Every customer is given a designated account manager
longevity of the
“The importance of cleaning is defi nitely to handle scheduling and manage the process, they also
underestimated. I have heard of companies using ensure all site-specifi c risk assessments and method
equipment
untrained cleaning staff, equipped with just conventional statements are sent in advance. And all our technicians
household cleaning products, working on some of the are fully police and security vetted to work in sensitive
most advanced IT equipment in the country. This is environments. Then, even before any work starts, our
simply not the way to go about things, especially if you team goes through a full list of procedures to ensure
want to minimise downtime and maximise the longevity compliance to all health and safety legislation, for
of the equipment. That’s why we chose a specialist – we example, has the gas suppression system been turned
see it as insurance.” commented Shears. to manual, or are any alarms directly linked to the
emergency services?”
8 Solutions carries out regular deep and surface
cleans to ISO 14644-1 standards, using equipment,
materials and supplies specifi cally designed for data
centre and computer room cleaning. And, after all
visits, in line with 8 Solutions’ documentation policy,
Morrisons receives a full report on contamination levels
and possible sources, best practice recommendations, a
health and safety report on the raised fl oor and general
recommendations for the environment.
Shears concluded: “We can see a real difference in
the data centres, they are noticeably cleaner. We haven’t
examined if there has been any change in our PUE
[power usage effectiveness], but I wouldn’t be surprised if
it had gone up as a result of the server intakes and whole
room being clear of contamination. In every aspect
we’ve been very happy. From start to fi nish 8 Solutions
have been professional, knowledgeable, fl exible and
understanding of the businesses priorities.”
RETAIL TECHNOLOGY JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
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