The project will see the college’s network infrastructure upgraded with a 10Gb campus-wide local area network (LAN), and an improved virtual server platform and storage area network (SAN) to provide the college’s 8000 students and 650 staff with further improved high-capacity communications facilities.
Based on infrastructure products from Extreme Networks and server and storage products from IBM the implementation will take place across four phases between Christmas and Easter to minimise downtime and ensure the continued operation of the college.
Ian Jackson, managing director of Imerja, commented: “Technology has become an integral part of education, not only in terms of dedicated courses but also in its integration into all aspects of the curriculum.
“In conjunction with the ongoing redevelopment of the campus sites, the college has invested in its network and server infrastructure to ensure that students and staff can access it at all times without interruption or limitations.”
Lynne Kirkwood, Barnsley College, Director of Communications and Recruitment said, “Our recent Ofsted inspection is the best FE College report in the country, to date, stating ‘The college provides an inspirational resource for the Barnsley community and a transformational one for many learners’. The overhaul of our IT infrastructure will provide even better access and resource opportunities for our staff and students as we continue to improve on our outstanding service.”