Computacenter, Foundry Networks and Mitel Networks implement next-generation IT infrastructure for Greater London Authority -

Today’s official opening of City Hall sees the unveiling of the state-of-the-art IT infrastructure now being used by the Greater London Authority (GLA).

The infrastructure brings together a range of technologies to provide the authority with a reliable, scalable and high-performance IT and telephone system, which caters for the GLA’s needs today while also offering an easy upgrade path to embrace various IP-based, multi-media applications in the future.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone commented: “All the GLA’s services are underpinned by IT. Investing in technology is essential if we are to provide efficient online services to the capital, and enhance our communication links with the London Boroughs and other organisations in the GLA Group.”

The GLA is using Microsoft Windows 2000 for its server environment and Microsoft Windows XP for its 500-plus desktops, which all boast flat-screen monitors. The system was implemented by IT infrastructure services provider Computacenter, prior to the move to City Hall earlier this month. Colin Brown, Director of Computacenter’s Government Sector, said: “The GLA’s new IT infrastructure will prove a real enabler for the authority, both in terms of delivering e-government and empowering its end-users.”

Computacenter was also responsible for implementing the data and voice solution in City Hall, which uses innovative technology from high-performance networking supplier, Foundry Networks, and Mitel Networks, a specialist in voice, video and data convergence.

To provide the world-class networking infrastructure to support mission critical data applications and the capability to move to voice-over-IP (VoIP), the GLA has implemented two Foundry BigIron 8000 Layer 3 switches in the network core, linked by Gigabit Ethernet, with 15 FastIron Layer 2/3 switches providing connectivity for users on more than 10 floors. Andy Palmer, Foundry’s Vice-President and Managing Director, EMEA, said: “Our switches are fast, feature-rich and offer extensive scalability due to innovative product design. We offer 99% network availability, support multi media applications through quality of service type features, plus we’re 10 Gigabit Ethernet ready. We have the feature set and performance, at a leading price, to support the GLA with all its technology aspirations today and in the future.”

As a global partner of Foundry, Mitel Networks was chosen to implement the telephone system in City Hall. The system uses Mitel Networks 6100 Contact Centre Solution and Mitel Networks 6500 Speech-enabled Application to provide statistics for call management and voice-activated auto attendants. Graham Bevington, Mitel’s Managing Director, EMEA, said: “This solution illustrates a perfect example of what can be accomplished when committed partners focus on the needs of the customer. The GLA needed a solution that was highly scalable and secure, while ready for the deployment of next-generation devices and applications. With a powerful feature set, the Mitel Networks 3300 Integrated Communications Platform provides the GLA with a communications platform that leverages the IP and TDM environment to deliver substantial benefits at both the infrastructure and user level. Through our commitment to investment protection, the GLA now has a solution that will evolve with their changing organisational needs, improve customer interaction and enhance overall employee productivity.”

Manny Lewis, Executive Director of Corporate Services, concludes: “The biggest risk on this project has been slippage. We made a commitment that we would be ready for a mid-July move and all our technology partners, Computacenter, Foundry and Mitel, have worked extremely hard to ensure we were on track, given that contracts were only signed in January this year.”