INTRODUCTION
Velocity is Bradford's ‘specialist accelerator’ for digital industries. Conveniently located in the City Centre, Velocity provides flexible accommodation, shared services and tailored business support to some of Yorkshire's most energetic and ambitious new businesses. The purpose built facility, funded by Yorkshire Forward the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire, had its first tenants move into the building in 2005.
BACKGROUND
Velocity Bradford has been developed in line with the key objectives of the regional economic strategy for Bradford and West Yorkshire.
- Stimulate business growth within the digital Industries in Bradford and West Yorkshire; making enterprises in the region more competitive;
- Implement an effective infrastructure to encourage and support new businesses market and develop the image of the region as one of opportunity and a safe place to invest;
- Provide access to appropriate skills and training opportunities as they grow;
- Utilise the regions physical and environmental assets.
As a former resident of the previous innovation centre in Bradford, SICL was approached to propose a complete solution for the green field site. The solution needed to include:
- Data and Voice Cabling and a telephone system
- A Data network capable of delivering functions to each entity including wireless networking
- Bandwidth management facilities
- Support
APPROACH
Utilising highly qualified Network Designers and Engineers, IP Telephony Technicians, a PRINCE2 Project Management team and experienced cabling staff, SICL was able to design, implement, manage and support a solution that met all the needs of Velocity Bradford. The solution included complete voice and data cabling throughout the building. SICL implemented HP ProCurve technology to provide a switching infrastructure with VLAN configurations to ensure each individual unit within the building could only access areas of the network which were relevant to them. Wireless networking facilities were also provided to allow appropriate network access from the shared function areas such as the meeting rooms. SICL implemented an IP-based Mitel 3300 telephone system to allow each and every unit to have their own telephone system and a shared reception function for all units. The telephone system provided voicemail facilities and a billing function to ensure each unit could be charged for its own calls. Using a Packeteer™ 6500 packet shaping tool SICL was able to limit the amount of bandwidth from one main Internet connection so as to allow Velocity Bradford to charge each individual tenant for the amount of bandwidth they required.
SICL’s delivery of the end to end solution met all of Velocity Bradford’s requirements, and ensured that Velocity Bradford had significant trust and faith in SICL’s experience and knowledge of the technology. SICL is now responsible for the continual support and development of the systems at the centre.
RESULTS
Velocity Bradford is a thriving hub of digital media companies. With a successful implementation of wired and wireless networking solution and a fully functional telephone system new businesses are able to take advantage of a corporate infrastructure whist maintaining the advantages of small businesses.