Star unveils a next generation platform for the delivery of Cloud Computing services, giving UK SME’s access to enterprise grade technologies
LONDON 24th February, 2009 – Star, the UK’s only business focused ISP, has announced today that it will be opening a new multi-million pound, 10,000 square foot data centre in Bristol, to expand its portfolio of managed and co-location facilities. The facility, which is scheduled to become fully operational at the beginning of April, has been constructed in response to growing customer demand for hosted, voice and data services. Star’s ‘Data Centre 3’ is integrated within Star’s own national MPLS network and is the perfect platform to deliver cost effective and efficient managed data services in an energy efficient manner.
The new data centre incorporates innovative design allowing for the installation of high density hardware, with twice the average capacity of power and cooling. This means customers get more for their investment as they require less space, fewer servers and less rack space. Constructed in just 18 months, the centre has been specifically designed to offer the flexibility for Star to provide advanced managed services as well as co-location facilities. By installing moveable walls and custom manufactured server racks, Star can re-purpose the rack space for either co-location or hosting needs and any mixture of the two to reflect customer demand. A number of sophisticated surveillance systems have been deployed to keep the facility in a state of maximum security.
Star is powering the centre with an integrated flywheel UPS and diesel generator to reduce start-up times and increase reliability, providing for 99.99% availability. Selecting this more efficient power supply also means that Star has lessened the environmental impact of the data centre, saving some 117 tonnes of carbon a year.
James Griffin, Head of Hosting Strategy at Star comments: “The construction of the new data centre is of huge significance for Star customers as we are better placed to provision their cloud computing needs both now and into the future. Throughout the project we have aimed to be as efficient as possible with our space and power consumption so that we can pass these benefits on to our customers delivering cost-effective, business-grade services, supported by a robust infrastructure. In the present economic climate this is of particular importance for all UK businesses, and means we can continue to deliver the best possible services at affordable prices.”
“We have carefully selected the location in the South West of England and I believe this new data centre will be a real asset to the local business community. It’s one of only a small number of data centres in the region and will offer businesses a state of the art facility for their internet services, backed up by direct support, from an experienced team, 24/7, 365 days a year.”
For more information about Star Data Centre 3 and the ‘Building the Cloud’ project please go to the dedicated website at: www.buildingthecloud.co.uk