Working in partnership with Capita IT Services, System Professional has designed the new virtual server and storage system infrastructure to be installed at the landmark Station Plaza and Ore Valley campuses. The College is planning to transfer all of its existing MS Windows applications to the new virtual server and storage environment in a phased deployment.

Sussex Coast College Hastings, formerly Hastings College of Arts and Technology (HCAT), is a large Further Education centre of learning based in Hastings, East Sussex. The £97m new college development provides academic and vocational learning for students from Hastings and Rother and the wider South East.

The solution is based upon VMware vSphere virtualisation technology, HP ProLiant industry standard servers and HP LeftHand Networks P4500 replicated SAN Technology. The installation will be spread across two sites for resilience and DR. By taking advantage of LeftHand Networks replicated SAN technologies it is possible for both sites to actively utilise the SAN with duplicates of the data being continuously available on the other site.

Chris Craven, Network Manager at Sussex Coast College Hastings, said:

"System Professional was chosen to deploy the VMware and LeftHand solution based on their thorough, detailed tender response, competitive pricing structure and strong track record in the education sector. The solution is fully scalable and has been designed to grow in line with the future needs of the College."

Johnathan Wates, System Professional's Business Development Director, added:

"We are delighted to win the tender at Sussex Coast College Hastings and be a part of their transformation into a 21st century centre of academic and vocational excellence. System Professional has a proven track record in delivering quality storage and virtualisation projects to the education sector and we look forward to a successful deployment with Chris and his team."

For more information on Sussex Coast College Hastings, visit: www.sussexcoast.ac.uk