Professionalism and pragmatism convince

Four years ago, Edeka Rechenzentrum Süd GmbH was looking for a partner on an equal footing for the construction of its new data center and found it in the data center experts from Wallmenroth. As general transferee, proRZ has planned and implemented mirror-image data centers for two regional EDEKA companies (detailed report in DC MAG 1/2016). 

But after construction is before operation: Because that should be in the hands of experienced DC service experts. For this reason, the team around Andreas Schmich (Head of Data Center Operations, EDEKA Nordbayern-Sachsen-Thüringen Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH) and Stefan Gernert (Head of IT Technology, EDEKA Nordbayern-Sachsen-Thüringen Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH) started working towards the end of the construction phase Looking for a partner to maintain the data center.

"The construction phase was very professional and targeted," reports the department head. After the completion of the building, the team around Andreas Schmich and Stefan Gernert asked themselves the question: What will happen next? The requirements were clearly defined: In order to guarantee availability, efficiency and security, the operation of the new data centers should be in the hands of experts. This also included the continuation of operations and support with service and maintenance. 

“We knew the DCG team and the DCG, in turn, knew our IT infrastructure. So it made sense to speak to the data center maintenance and operation specialists, the data center services, ”says Schmich. Four points were at the center of the considerations: energy efficiency, service and maintenance, solutions for operation, operating and emergency manuals as well as all questions relating to data center security. The most important component was the constant and performance-oriented exchange around all questions about the optimized data center operation and the support from the data center experts from Wallmenroth. 

"The services provided by the DataCenterGroup during the construction of the data centers were honest, harmonious and goal-oriented," says Schmich, describing the process. And this is the basis for the further cooperation with RZservices.

The subject of energy management is always the focus of process management. Because sustainability, efficiency and security are important focal points of the work of the site manager on site. With the new data center, energy consumption has also been significantly reduced. Edeka thinks into the future. And is ideally positioned with the new data centers.

RZservices employees are on site two days a week and support Andreas Schmich's team. The site managers act as competent contacts for all questions relating to the operation of the data centers.

In addition to regularly checking the infrastructure, such as the cooling systems, UPS, fire alarm system, extinguishing system or emergency power system, the site manager also coordinates maintenance and repair work. In the event of seasonal events or peak loads, regulating measures can be taken in order to comply with the ecological and economic goals defined by EDEKA.

“The project means a huge leap forward for us. Because in addition to improved time management, energy consumption has also fallen significantly overall, ”emphasizes the division manager.

And they have a positive conclusion: “It is a very goal-oriented and partnership-based exchange on an equal footing. With our new data centers, we are future-proof. Site management is in the best of hands with the experts at RZservices. We were particularly impressed by the combination of pragmatism and professionalism throughout the entire process, ”emphasizes Schmich and Gernert.