Ark Data Centres First Wholesale Provider in the UK to receive Uptime Institutes Management & Operations Stamp of Approval by Ark Data Centres, 12th May 2015

Ark Data Centres (Ark) that designs, constructs and operates the UK’s most efficient data centres, has received Uptime Institute’s Management & Operations (M&O) Stamp of Approval for operational excellence, for both of its campuses in Hampshire and Wiltshire. Ark is the first wholesale data centre provider in the UK to receive this accreditation.

Awarded by global data centre authority Uptime Institute, the M&O Stamp of Approval validates the critical facilities management and operations practices of a data centre. It provides assurance that the site management and processes satisfy strict criteria to achieve the maximum uptime of an existing data centre.

“Adherence to certain management and operations behaviours has been proven to minimise opportunities for human error — the number one cause of data centre downtime,” said R. Lee Kirby, Chief Technology Officer, Uptime Institute. “A well-managed data centre can achieve, and potentially exceed, the expected uptime objectives.”

Ark underwent a thorough four-day on-site assessment, which focused on several key operational areas including maintenance, failure analysis, load management, staffing levels, skills and qualifications, training processes, and finances. Each topic encompassed a defined set of performances for the site to achieve full uptime potential, obtain maximum leverage of the installed infrastructure, and improve operational efficiency.

Ark is pleased to have received the highest score possible for their training efforts as noted in the M&O assessment from Uptime Institute.

“We are proud to be the first wholesale data centre provider in the UK to receive this accreditation,” commented Doug Aikman, Chief Operating Officer, Ark Data Centres. “With the M&O Stamp of Approval for both Cody Park and Spring Park, our customers can rest assured that we run and maintain all data centres to the highest standards, with maximum performance and uptime. As industry leaders, we will never stand still. So for us, the accreditation is also a benchmark against which we can drive forward our continuous operational excellence strategy.”

“As Investors in People (IIP), we always aspire for excellence not just for our customers, but also within our organisation, so we are also particularly pleased with the feedback we received for our training programme,” he added.

The Uptime Institute’s M&O Stamp of Approval is valid for two years.

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