Co-op group's new HQ drives IT investment

The new building is a catalyst to invest in technology infrastructure, says group director

The Co-op group's new building is driving investment in IT

The Co-operative trading group is investing in a major technology refresh, as part of its plans to open a new head office in Manchester, the office will open in mid 2012.

Ian Dyson, director, group IS, co-operative group explained that the move was a 'catalyst' for significant investment in the infrastructure.

"We're seeing it as a platform for building our unified comms strategy. We're trialling Office Communications Server (OCS) and instant messaging within IT, and will roll both out to user departments in 2011."

Dyson continued to state that they are also introducing Sharepoint suite of software into the business, and integrating their Avaya telephony system and SMS service into Microsoft Exchange, which is itself newly implemented.

"We've just consolidated all of our email systems into one platform, Exchange 2007," he said. "Previously we had six different platforms which was horrible to manage."

Dyson explained that managing one environment reduces cost and is easier to administer. It is also proving to be more flexible since the introduction web access.

"We're also using 'push email' technology, so we're pushing mail out to a variety of devices such as iPads and smartphones."

While the business is not yet using commercial cloud services, it is implementing its own internal cloud to provide virtual desktop services. The plan is to migrate all Manchester staff before the move to the new building.

"The desktop infrastructure, software deployment and security controls will all be controlled through the data centre," Dyson stated. "So devices will connect through to the applications and the file store. It provides access anywhere, and underpins flexibility."

Dyson explained that the new building was the reason he was able to push through so many major projects at the same time.

"We're decamping from around seven buildings in Manchester and consolidating to one," he said. "We've got in the region of 3,500 people who will want to use it, but the building will be designed to house 2,500."

Dyson added that they are providing infrastructure and solutions that allow people to work flexibly. The alternative would be to provide a much larger head office, with the huge financial implications that brings.

"The business case therefore is very straightforward. It would cost millions for extra floors on a building of this size up front, and annually with recurring costs," said Dyson.

He concluded by commenting that he has seen increased staff productivity from virtual desktop trials.

"You're getting more out of your employees because it's easier for them to access their applications and data. And there's a cost saving too. It's a win win."