Leica Microsystems
Building a faster, resilient and scalable network infrastructure
Background
Leica Microsystems is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and supplier of high precision optical solutions and has developed from five brand names, all with a long tradition: Wild, Leitz, Reichert, Jung and Cambridge Instruments. Leica Microsystems symbolizes not only tradition, but also innovation.
Leica needed to relocate its businesses from its existing 30 year old premises to somewhere bigger in Cambridge.
After an extensive search Leica eventually found a suitable replacement site, the building/s did however require a complete re-fit to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
Timescales were extremely tight with only 18 weeks from gaining site access to the moving in date which could not be delayed under any circumstances. Therefore, all suppliers involved in the refitting of the building/s had to work together efficiently to overcome the logistical complexities involved in such a relocation project.
Requirement
Leica needed two flexible LANs and associated comms, with two separate server rooms.
However, the two networks had to be linked together to operate as a single network initially but for them to be easily split in the future if the business so required. Once the new infrastructure had been implemented and tested, all users had to be relocated to the new site. Because of the limited timescales speed was of the essence and all parties involved had to commit to meeting the specified deadlines. To help select their IT provider Leica Microsystems established a basic initial specification and then invited potential suppliers to present their recommendations for the relocation.
ISC was awarded the project.
Solution
Following extensive discussions with Leica ISC created a design for the infrastructure and undertook the project management of the IT project.
A true collaboration was necessary to ensure that not only was the IT infrastructure and the relocation of all the users carried out effectively, but the various building issues that impinged upon the network were also fully co-ordinated and integrated into the project plan.
ISC designed, installed, tested the new LANs and then moved all existing IT equipment (servers, desktops and printers) to the new site. The next step was to set up the equipment to successfully work on the new infrastructure. This involved cabling for over 1,000 network points, installing several Cisco switches and routers, where required implementing server hardware upgrades, full hardware configuration, connecting all hardware to the new network and finally thorough testing of the system.
Once the project was complete ISC developed a suitable hardware support service for Leica to include the network, servers and desktops.
Benefits
The single largest success was that the new building was ready on time and all users were able to work seamlessly from day one. Achieving this was critical for Leica Microsystems.
As a result of the move, the company has not only achieved a faster, more resilient network with built in scalability for future growth, but its staff have a greatly improved working environment which in turn has lead to positive feedback from users.
Summary
Design and installation of network infrastructure with:
- Gigabit backbone
- Fault tolerant layer 3 switching
- Fault tolerant firewalls
- 1,000 network and telecom points
- Consultancy
- Project management
- Physical relocation of users to new offices
- Post support services
