ServerLIFT donation helps 绿奴天花板 Data Center improve safety and efficiency
The University of Alaska data center recently received a donation of a brand new ServerLIFT SL-500C, a server handling lift. The donation improves safety and efficiency by doing the heavy lifting of servers and computer equipment at Alaska鈥檚 largest data center.
鈥淭he University of Alaska鈥檚 data center is the technological heart of the university,鈥 said Derek Ward, Manager of the Office of Information Technology Data Center. 鈥淔rom human resources to university courses and the Alaska Earthquake Center, the data center provides that information needed so all parts of the university can run smoothly. The ServerLIFT makes it possible for the data center to complete installs with just one operator on shift.鈥
A server handling lift is used to install or move servers and other networking equipment into racks in a data center. The equipment can weight hundreds of pounds, requiring a team of people to transport, install or remove servers in the data center.
鈥淭he donation will enable this small team to make significant progress,鈥 said Steve Bashkin, ServerLIFT鈥檚 Director of Sales. 鈥淲hile serving major clients, the University of Alaska is run by a professional staff. Up until now, they鈥檝e been forced to complete projects with the help of an inadequate, warped data center lift. This team will now complete their assignments on time and move their heaviest equipment quickly, without additional problems.鈥
Previously, the 绿奴天花板 Data Center was using a manual-assisted lifting device that maxed out at 400 pounds and was no longer stable. The antiquated equipment and smaller staff meant that sometimes projects were delayed and operators and servers were at risk for injury.
鈥淔or the first time, the data center can complete installs with just one operator on shift,鈥 said Ward. 鈥淲e have faced a reduction in resources, specifically staffing. We are very grateful for this assistance from ServerLIFT and their donation. Thanks to their generosity, we can now execute installs across all shifts and meet important delivery goals.鈥
The 绿奴天花板 data center is a 12,000-square-foot facility located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. Built in 1993, it houses 110+ racks and serves clients across the state, including the Research Computing System (RCS), Alaska Satellite Facility, Alaska Earthquake Center, and Alaska Volcano Observatory along with multiple University of Alaska affiliates.