Colocation provider UKFast is set to build a state of the art support and security hub, complete with accommodation for clients' technical staff, at its datacentre complex following a successful planning application with Trafford City Council.
Plans for the DC Support Hub facility, which is the first of its kind in the industry, include plush bedrooms, relaxation areas, a working office space and Sky TV. In addition to providing an extra layer of security for UKFast's data centres, DC Support Hub offers colocation clients the opportunity to accommodate technical staff, free of charge, while they carry out essential maintenance work during periods of low traffic during the night.
UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones said: "The colocation market is changing. Many organisations are looking to house kit away from London for disaster recovery or geographical separation. We understand that this creates a pain point with engineers having to work anti-social hours far from home. That's why we're building the DC Support Hub.
"UKFast is the first provider in the industry to provide this kind of facility. Providing great service is about surprising people. To excel in any business you have to deliver great service at every stage of the journey and give customers things they would never normally expect as part of the deal. That's what we do and that's why we're one of the fastest growing colocation providers in the UK.
"Our motto is 'Think Faster' and this is just another part of that. We're making it as simple as possible for clients to get their people in the right place. We don't want our clients having to check in to a Premier Inn at short notice. We want to make everything and everyone connect faster."
Plans for DC Support Hub have been drawn up by the award-winning team at Project 3 Architects, who have designed the facility as a direct response to the brief provided by UKFast. The designs outline a building with large expanses of glazing, over clad in a unique steel mesh to filter sunlight and provide a secure skin. A state of the art office facility is located to the front of the building with a large glazed window overlooking the current UKFast site.
Andrew Bamford, Architect Director at Project 3 Architects said: "We are delighted to have been commissioned by UKFast to design this unique building. The brief from Lawrence was exciting and demanded a specific futuristic approach. It was perfect for Project 3.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed the working relationship and are looking forward to future projects."
UKFast Space, the full-service team of professional builders, joiners, plasterers, plumbers and electricians, are to carry out the development. Completed projects under UKFast Space team's belt include the full build of three data centres and the total refurbishment of UKFast's state-of-the-art campus office in Manchester. Jones's stunning apres ski bar and hotel Le Farinet in Verbier, Switzerland, also underwent a complete refit at the hands of UKFast Space.
