Physical Data Centre & IT Infrastructure Migration for a Leading Academic Institution

Client Overview

Technimove was selected by a leading UK-based academic institution, known for its world-class research and educational excellence, to deliver a specialist data centre migration. The institution required a secure, efficient, and low-risk migration of its critical IT infrastructure from Leeds to a new facility in Farnborough.

Project Requirement

The client needed Technimove to provide comprehensive services for the physical relocation of IT equipment, ensuring:

• Minimal downtime and risk to operational continuity
• Overnight, weekend migration to avoid business disruption
• Pre-migration activities to occur during standard working hours
• Straightforward ground-level or lift-access at both sites, with no handling restrictions

The migration was initially scheduled for July 2024 and required meticulous planning and flawless execution.

Technimove’s Solution

Project Management

To orchestrate the migration smoothly, Technimove deployed its experienced Project Management Team to oversee planning, coordination, and communication across all stakeholders.

Approach and Deliverables:

• Developed and maintained up-to-date equipment lists, rack layouts, and patching schedules
• Delivered bespoke migration runbooks tailored to the project scope
• Coordinated regular planning meetings and stakeholder calls
• Provided strategic risk mitigation and downtime minimisation guidance
• Ensured transparent progress updates through each project phase

By embedding Technimove’s proven methodology, the client benefitted from reduced downtime and complete operational confidence.

Physical Audit

Six weeks before the migration, a full physical audit of the existing data centre was conducted. This process captured critical infrastructure details that informed the destination setup.

Audit Scope:

• Documented each device’s rack position, make, model, and serial number
• Recorded port usage (e.g., NIC 1 – RJ45, NIC 2 – Fibre)
• Labelled all dedicated cables to support reinstallation
• Delivered data in structured Excel formats to assist with rack planning and patching schedules
• Offered optional services for non-dedicated cable labelling and additional cable tracing

This detailed audit gave the client a “live snapshot” of their infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the future environment design.

Cable Tracing

Technimove also performed a manual cable trace to ensure an accurate understanding of current connectivity.

Key Benefits:

• Verified physical connections from server to switch
• Produced clear documentation to support destination design
• Reduced troubleshooting during the recommissioning phase

Note: Tracing of dedicated cables was excluded but could be quoted separately if required.

Pre-Cabling at the Destination Site

To streamline the migration and reduce downtime, Technimove pre-installed network cabling four weeks before the move.

What Was Delivered:

• Copper and fibre cables routed from top-of-rack switches/patch panels to designated U-positions
• All cables labelled at both ends for accurate installation
• Supplied custom-length, colour-coded excel cables for performance and airflow efficiency
• Recommended a post-cabling change freeze to lock down configuration and minimise migration-day variables

This proactive step ensured a plug-and-play environment upon arrival of the equipment.

Decommission to Recommission (Physical Migration)

On migration day, the process followed a tightly coordinated sequence:

Migration Flow:

• Client safely powered down and backed up systems before Technimove’s arrival
• Technimove engineers de-racked, wrapped, and packed each device in anti-static materials
• Rail kits and cables were securely packed and clearly labelled
• Equipment loaded into GPS-tracked, foam-lined flight cases and transported using secure vehicles
• Optional security tagging and tracking details provided for client peace of mind
• At the Farnborough site, equipment was unpacked, installed as per rack plans, and connected to pre-laid cables
• Final handover to client for power-up and testing

This controlled end-to-end service ensured integrity, traceability, and alignment with the client’s rack and cabling strategy.

Cable Supply

Technimove also supported the migration with a bespoke cable solution tailored for performance and efficiency.

Cable Supply Highlights:

• Pre-made excel cables cut to precise lengths
• Custom colour options to support cable management and quick identification
• Reduced clutter, improved airflow, and lower power/cooling demand
• Eliminated need for cable management arms

This helped the client maintain a tidy, energy-efficient, and easily manageable server environment post-migration.

Project Outcome

Technimove’s multi-phase, expert-led migration approach enabled the academic institution to:

• Achieve zero unplanned downtime during the move
• Maintain operational continuity across teaching, research, and administrative functions
• Benefit from fully traceable, secure equipment handling
• Improve rack and cable efficiency in the destination site
• Complete the entire project on time and within scope

The client praised Technimove’s professionalism, detailed planning, and commitment to excellence, making the migration a benchmark example of secure and successful IT infrastructure relocation:

“As our chosen migration partner for all our critical projects, Technimove have once again excelled in their service delivery. A worrying time made so much easier by Technimove’s expertise’

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