Datacentrix facilitates smooth sailing for Zutari data centre relocation

Local engineering firm, Zutari (formerly Aurecon Africa), has successfully relocated its data centre, including storage area network (SAN), storage and server infrastructure, following the organisation’s move of its Tshwane-based head office from Lynwood Manor to Newlands, Pretoria. The project, which required a tight turnaround time, was completed by Datacentrix, a high performing and secure ICT solutions provider.

COVID-19-related complications forced Zutari to place a hold on the relocation, originally planned for earlier in the year. The company was able to resume its plans in July, but the project now had to be completed within a very short timeframe to expeditiously vacate the previous office space.

There was no formal tender process for this project, explains Stephan Botha, IT operations at Zutari, but the company raised the discussion with several vendors and ultimately opted to partner with Datacentrix. “We have built a strong relationship with Datacentrix over the past two years, and knew that they could bring the requisite technical expertise, with a proven track record in relocating data centres. Other contributing factors included cost effectiveness and a detailed pre-move preparation plan.

“Essentially we ended up with a four-day window within which to relocate the data centre, including backup power equipment, to the new offices. This time pressure was considerably eased with the amount of preparation completed by Datacentrix beforehand, which incorporated rack consolidation – decommissioning old and irrelevant kit so that the number of racks to be moved was halved – and the general reorganisation of some technology,” Botha says.

“We worked hand-in-hand with Zutari to complete a lot of the leg work beforehand, holding regular workshops with the client ramping up to the move,” adds Deon Insel, Senior Account Manager at Datacentrix. “Having started discussions early in 2020, prior to lockdown, we were well prepared for execution when the time came.”

The way in which the move of the data centre was undertaken specifically was a tremendous time-saver, continues Botha. “This is where the real magic came in, with complete racks being moved as opposed to taking the equipment apart and then reassembling on the other side.”

From an enterprise infrastructure perspective, Datacentrix ensured that all backups and archiving were completed prior to the move. Further, the organisation completed a network redesign for greater redundancy, including the devising and deployment of an enhanced Wi-Fi setup, as well as cabling.

From a technology perspective, the move was seamless, with users experiencing no disruption whatsoever. In addition, Zutari has seen improvement to network stability as well as greater consistency in operations, even though the new building is not as yet completed, states Botha.

“The project was very competently deployed and will serve Zutari well into the future. We have built a close relationship with Datacentrix over the past few years and find the company to be an exceptional partner, one that we use as often as possible and will continue to do so.”

Says Insel: “The complexity of these projects is often only visible to business when they go wrong. The fact that Datacentrix continues to deliver these in a way that appears seamless to our clients is a testimony of our strong technical capability across multiple platforms, vendors and disciplines.”