Commuters may not give thought to the massive data function behind the trains and buses that carry them each day, but JK Moving has first-hand experience in supporting a major transit authority through a complex data center relocation. This case study shows that a commercial move with specialized IT needs can literally help keep the trains running on time.
Executive Summary
A large regional transportation authority serves a population of approximately 4 million within a 1,500-square-mile jurisdiction. When a massive relocation to new headquarters, including a multibillion-dollar recapitalization of infrastructure, required a reliable moving partner, they entrusted JK with handling the move of their fragile data center. JK’s expertise and network of partnerships set the project on the right track despite the timeline challenges the customer already faced due to construction delays on its new facilities. The meticulous handling of IT components, infrastructure planning, and decommissioning through 18 different move events was the perfect proving ground for JK’s specialized technology services division, JKTS, and ably demonstrated the company’s overall dedication to delivering unparalleled relocation solutions to clients who serve the public’s needs.
Data center moving challenges
- Data center housed in an aging building and suffering failures with its 30-year-old infrastructure.
- 1500 devices required careful relocation over 18 different move events.
- Moves of operational equipment had to take place off hours: between midnight and 4 am.
- Old data center required clean-out and decommissioning.
Our data center moving solutions
In response to the transportation authority’s very strict deadline to vacate their downtown Washington, DC, building and avoid a multimillion-dollar penalty, we zeroed in on facilitating partnerships and implementing our IT support staff to create an achievable timeline.
We assessed the existing data center’s aging infrastructure and crafted a moving plan that included the careful preservation of IT assets and the cost-effective implementation of upgraded equipment and improved efficiency in the new location. We made a direct connection between our customer and a trusted JK supply chain partner to provide the additional resources needed to expertly complete smart hands work, from equipment removal and re-installation to cable management.
For the physical move, avoiding disruption to the region’s transit systems was the primary concern. We were able to accommodate the need for off-hours work by planning and executing operational equipment relocations between midnight and 4 am. We faced the additional challenge of handling the project during the winter months. Over the course of 18 different move events, our teams’ resilience allowed them to complete the project successfully.
To help our customer fully complete their move-out on time, we performed the necessary decommissioning work on equipment and materials from the old data center.
Results
Here are the measurable benefits our client received:
- We moved approximately 1500 devices over the course of 18 different move events.
- We consolidated roughly 150 cabinets of IT equipment into 100 cabinets.
- Our decommissioning work to clean out the original data center allowed the client to meet their strict move-out deadline.
- A project that was originally conceived as $250,000 – $300,000 moving job scaled into a $1.5 million commercial move plus IT relocation support that established a trusted, ongoing relationship.
JK’s specialized relocation experts can help with your IT infrastructure move. Contact us at 703.574.6754 or via email at commercial@jkmoving.com.