BBSRC Bioscience IT Services (BITS)
The Customer
BBSRC Bioscience IT Services (BITS) is the common service provider of Information Communication Technology (ICT) services to the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and its sponsored research institutes, the Partnership. BBSRC is one of eight UK research councils (RCUK), and is the leading funding agency for academic research and training in the biosciences at universities and institutes throughout the UK. BITS is located at the Rothamsted Research site in Harpenden, one of the BBSRC sponsored institutes.
The Maindec Solution
Services Provided Maindec has supported the BBSRC since 1994. A site-based team provides a comprehensive service, which incorporates EDI connectivity with the user Help-Desk. There is an Information Technology arm (BITS) that provides core services to the various Research Institutes. We have an on site team comprising of an EIC and a networking specialist. BBSRC operates an IP based private Wide Area Network linking all of its sites and connected to the Internet via a 34Mb circuit to the UK Joint Academic network JANET. The router infrastructure is based on Cisco routers. Site connections are provided by a Frame Relay service supplied by Cable and Wireless with individual links operating at speeds to 45 MB. Institute campus LAN’s have Gigabit fibre optic backbones with flood wired UTP cable systems in buildings. The maintainer is responsible for fault diagnosis on infrastructure cabling. LAN switches are from the 3-Com range, all of which is fully maintained. Maindec are responsible for the management, testing and distribution of firmware upgrades and bug fixes to all devices. Maindec operate as an integral part of the BITS Technical Services Section to ensure co-ordination of engineering activity with other service needs and to maintain critical mass of operational service cover. Maintenance The agreement covers support for over 430 Servers including DEC systems, Sun workstations, Compaq Servers, Viglen Servers, HP Printers and in excess of 4000 PC/Laptops on a guaranteed fix service level. Network Support The site-based team includes a network support specialist who maintains their extensive UK-wide WAN, which comprises of CISCO Wan products and 3COM LAN products. Help Desk Support The site-based team includes several help desk personnel supporting Windows NT, MS Office, MS exchange, Outlook, MS Internet Explorer, SQL Server etc. They are fully integrated into the customer’s helpdesk operation. Product Supply Maindec provide, configure and deliver to desk product as required. New Developments For new projects Maindec are pro active in presenting new ideas and are responsible for implementing, monitoring and supporting their recommendations. Consultancy Maindec provides consultants to work with the relevant steering committees on future strategies and proof of concept projects. Upgrades and Rollouts Maindec also provides project managers, software support personnel for new projects such as roll outs of new hardware and software and upgrading of hardware and software.