Caterpillar dealer buys IBM data centre in a box (well, two boxes)

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 17 December 2009 08:30

IT Industry - Market

Perth-based WesTrac has engaged IBM to provide a portable modular data centre (PMDC) to augment a crowded existing facility.

Industrial machinery supplier and Caterpillar dealership WesTrac didn't have enough space in its own data centre to accommodate a new IT project, and local data centre operators were unable to help.

After exploring various possibilities, WesTrac chose an IBM PMDC that will take the form of a pair of 6.1m shipping containers.

Advantages include speedy deployment (it should be up and running in February), easy expansion by adding containers, and portability (WesTrac has multiple locations in WA, NSW and ACT).

"This agreement provides us with a complete solution and, most importantly, enables all IT equipment to be easily serviced and maintained from within a closed, physically secure and environmentally tight container," said WesTrac communications infrastructure manager Mark Curtis.

"All managed and delivered by IBM, WesTrac will benefit from temporary hosting during transitioning stages, project financing, and ultimately, permanent IT accommodation," he added.

One container will hold the IT equipment, with cooling equipment, UPS, and electrical and mechanical distribution gear in the other. A 400kVA generator will also be installed.

Fire detection and suppression systems, video surveillance and fingerprint access control will help keep WesTrac's PMDC secure.