IBM, Webfusion Partner On Green Datacenter

Feb 16, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) ---- Webfusion, the hosting and storage experts, has created a brand new, GBP2.5 million, high performance UK data centre for its customers. Built in conjunction with IBM, the Leeds-based facility uses the latest technology to ensure green, secure and reliable data storage and hosting for businesses.

Thomas Vollrath, Managing Director at Webfusion, comments, "We have invested a great deal to maintain the highest levels of customer service, ensure that the data centre is both best of breed and based in the UK. We don't believe that businesses should have to settle for data centres overseas and, from a customer's point of view, it's reassuring to know that your data and support staff are onsite here in the UK 24/7/365."

As electronic data storage is critical for most businesses, the 330m2 facility has 130 server racks and uses the latest technology to cover all of the important factors that make an efficient, high performance data centre. Impressive cooling systems, high-level security and fire detection/suppression systems coupled with effective power back-up capabilities ensure that in the event of a power cut, customer data remains online and available.

Vollrath continues, "We worked closely with IBM in the data centre's development to ensure the highest degree of security and performance whilst adhering to stringent data storage regulations and industry standards. As we wave goodbye to physical paper documentation, electronic data storage needs continue to grow, as do security regulations and compliance. Instead of investing vast sums of money in their own hardware, organisations that use our new facility can significantly reduce data storage costs whilst improving data security and operational reliability."

Webfusion maintains peak server performance for its customers through targeted cooling via air vents to racks arranged in hot aisle/cold aisle configuration. For greener computing at the Webfusion facility, efficient refrigeration technology results in an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) increase of 30 per cent.

Customers of the Webfusion centre also benefit from the best power protection to avoid downtime or data loss. A redundant power unit provides an effective failover capability and, in the event of a power cut, battery-powered back-up initiates for up to 15 minutes before the on-site diesel generator powers up to run the entire system.

Data is treated with the utmost security. Magnetically locked doors opened by swipe cards control site access and CCTV cameras beam real-time images to the data centre's 24/7 monitoring office. The centre also has the latest in fire and smoke detection and suppression to protect customer systems against environmental disaster.

"Webfusion wanted a way to reduce energy consumption and become even more environmentally responsible," says Chad Cracknell, client manager at IBM. "IBM's modular data centre technology gives Webfusion the freedom to innovate through flexibility and the scalability to better manage power, cooling and capacity."

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