Switchshop makes the right connections with the University of Cambridge
Switchshop – the IT networking, security and VoIP telephony hardware and solutions experts – has been appointed as the networking partner for the University of Cambridge on a multi-year contract.
Having previously supported numerous Cambridge colleges with a huge range of Aruba-led projects for a number of years, from networking solutions and support to competitively-priced hardware rollouts, Switchshop recently had the opportunity to compete for the latest tender with Cambridge University Information Services – the central IT department for the university and its faculties.
Cambridge University Information Services works collaboratively across all departments, colleges, and other institutions to provide a range of IT services to support the needs of all users at the university.
The university was looking for a sole supplier with an extensive knowledge base of networking skills.
While constantly developing its city and university-wide network, it required a partner who could support a breadth of requirements, from concept to delivery, including sales advice, advanced technical support and close relationship management, to deliver LAN, wireless and firewall connectivity for all the departments and faculties across the university.
Switchshop has a long-term trusted relationship with a number of the colleges at the university and was invited to compete for the sole supplier status through a tender process which took place in the final quarter of 2020. In February 2021, Switchshop was confirmed as the sole supplier for the University of Cambridge on a multi-year long-term contract.
A key driver for this award was Switchshop’s expansive reputation with their long-standing relationship with colleges, not only for their technical capabilities, but for outstanding value-added service delivered on projects to date.
Alexander Cox, service manager and team lead for university wireless infrastructure at University Information Services, says: “We are delighted to be working with Switchshop to enhance our networking infrastructure right across
the city.
“Switchshop has quickly appreciated the scope of our requirements and easily understood the complex arrangements of the University of Cambridge. So far working with them has been effortless and their commitment to customer satisfaction has been exemplary.”
Since winning the tender process, Switchshop has already supported the University of Cambridge on a range of new projects that include the continual upgrade of the wireless system, new college wireless network overhauls, expanding central on-premise estates and facilitating the supply of a host of hardware in the constant drive to ensure the university is offering the latest standards as part of the continuous upgrade and improvement process.
As the colleges close over the summer months, Switchshop and the university are now taking advantage of this quieter time to carry out a mass infrastructure upgrade, ahead of students returning in September.
To date, this overhaul includes the planned implementation of over 1,300 access points and 100 switches in the last four months.
As experts in the education sector, Switchshop will continue to empower University of Cambridge users over the coming years through state-of-the-art connectivity and unrivalled support functions.
“We are thrilled have been awarded the sole supplier contract for both Aruba switching and wireless, as well as Fortinet firewall equipment,” says Michael Curry, Director at Switchshop.
“We believe the award is testament not just to our manufacturer relationships, technical and sales skillsets, but also the excellent relationships we have built around the university over the last decade.
“We’re looking forward to strengthening those relationships even further and helping the University of Cambridge deliver their world-class network and services.”
For more information, see switchshop.co.uk.
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