Loughborough University Drives IT and Data Centre Efficiency with on365 and Schneider Electric
Improving data centre resilience, efficiency and operational continuity
Loughborough University partnered with on365 and Schneider Electric to modernise its critical data centre infrastructure, improving reliability, energy efficiency and operational visibility across its campus.
As a long-standing strategic partner, on365 has supported the university in maintaining and developing the infrastructure underpinning its teaching, research and administrative services. The latest modernisation programme combined a phased infrastructure refresh with advanced cooling, power protection and monitoring technologies, creating a more resilient and efficient environment capable of supporting evolving IT requirements.
The Challenge
With an attending student body of 19,500 across its 523-acre campus, Loughborough is one of the UK’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines. Today it is ranked world number one for sports related subjects, Loughborough was also named Sports University of the Year in 2022 by The Times and Sunday Times.
The university operates two primary data centres, providing critical IT services across its campus. Its ageing Haslegrave facility required significant upgrades, including replacement of the raised floor and existing cooling infrastructure, while maintaining uninterrupted operations. It also needed to address vulnerabilities in its cooling arrangements, improve energy efficiency and accommodate increasingly powerful IT equipment, without compromising the availability of essential systems.
The Solution
Working alongside Schneider Electric, on365 delivered a phased modernisation programme using EcoStruxure™ Data Centre solutions.
The project included:
Phased infrastructure upgrades: Replacement of the raised floor and installation of next-generation data centre infrastructure, with IT equipment carefully relocated to maintain operational continuity.
Improved cooling resilience: Upgraded InRow DX cooling and hot-aisle containment, providing greater control over cooling performance and eliminating remaining single points of failure.
Resilient power protection: Schneider Electric Galaxy™ VS UPS systems with lithium-ion batteries, improving reliability and energy efficiency.
Intelligent monitoring: EcoStruxure™ IT providing real-time infrastructure visibility, proactive alerts and data-driven insights to identify potential problems before they affect operations.
Ongoing specialist support: Preventative maintenance and manufacturer-backed services delivered through on365, supporting long-term infrastructure reliability.
The Outcomes
The modernisation programme has improved the performance, resilience and energy efficiency of Loughborough University’s critical IT infrastructure, while supporting its longer-term sustainability objectives.
Key benefits include:
- Improved data centre performance and efficiency: The upgraded EcoStruxure™ Row Data Centre infrastructure provides a more efficient and reliable environment for critical IT services.
- Future-ready infrastructure: A scalable, adaptable environment capable of supporting new technologies and evolving academic and research requirements.
- Greater cooling efficiency and control: Improved thermal management, delivering more reliable cooling and supporting reduced energy consumption.
- Increased power resilience and efficiency: Schneider Electric Galaxy™ UPS systems with lithium-ion batteries provide improved power protection and the potential for load shedding to support future energy management strategies.
- Proactive monitoring and 24/7 support: Real-time infrastructure visibility and data-driven insights help identify and mitigate potential faults, backed by round-the-clock specialist support.
Together, these improvements provide a more resilient, efficient and sustainable foundation for the university’s teaching, research and operational activities.
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Explore the technical challenges, solutions and outcomes in greater detail, including insights from Loughborough University’s IT team.
