BASF

Occupying an impressively designed building in Cheadle, Cheshire, BASF UK is the headquarters of the BASF Group within the UK. It is the sales centre for BASF plc, a subsidiary of BASF SE, and provides sales, marketing and support services for the entire UK Group.

In addition the Cheadle site also provides Information Technology support services for other BASF Group companies operating in the UK. It is therefore fitting that BASF Cheadle, as the supporting IT HQ operates its IT technology on a robust, flexible and reliable systems network & cabling architecture.

The Brief
To survey, design and install a new structured cabling system on a phased working basis with minimal end user downtime. Communication services to some 2700 user connections had to be maintained and therefore any new systems had to reside temporarily with the old.

Our Solution
Digitech were approached by BASF IT services to conduct a thorough survey of the existing infrastructure and to propose, a new infrastructure solution, based on a ‘phased in’ process.

The proposed solution was for the removal of existing, old category 5 and 5e, infrastructure wiring systems and the replacement with a Systimax 10Gb Ethernet solution. Existing risers and communication cabinet locations were maintained, while new passive cabinets were deployed to provide the new termination location for the new cabling. Operating on a shift pattern of evenings, nights and weekend working, an agreed removal and refit of systems was undertaken on an agreed, area by area basis.

‘No client down-time’ was the governing factor for the success of this project and it was therefore imperative that each area worked was re-cabled, tested, labelled and ‘activated’ and fit for use by client employees the following morning.

Through close client liaison, frequent debrief meetings and well founded project management principles, the project was delivered on time, and with no client/end user downtime or ‘next day issues.

IT Manager Ray Smith commented:

“Digitech were indeed a ‘no hassle contractor’ they worked completely to an agreed schedule and the best testament of all is that our employees were unaware of any change process throughout the entire 12 week schedule.

Digitech as a result have gone on to provide other IT services to the BASF Group within the UK.”

• Location: Cheadle Cheshire
• Sector: Corporate
• Duration: Phased working 12 weeks