ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

Royal Holloway, University of London
Royal Holloway University of London ‘RHUL’ is the result of the merger of two colleges in 1985. These colleges were founded by social pioneers in the mid-1800s and were amongst the first places in Britain where women could access higher education. These days, Royal Holloway remains as committed as ever to providing first-class education and research facilities for all its students and academics and, with D&T’s assistance over the past 15 years, has been constantly improving and upgrading its data network systems.

Project challenges

HUGE SIZE AND SCALE:

With over 120 buildings situated across 135 acres of parkland, the size and scale of Royal Holloway’s campus presented numerous challenges in terms of connectivity.

Solution: As structured cabling specialists, Darke & Taylor (D&T) had already designed and installed similar data networks across private estates and in other educational establishments. Hence D&T was able to anticipate the particular technical issues involved with implementing such a large-scale wireless network.

LISTED BUILDINGS:

Normal commercial fit-out procedures could not be used on listed buildings such as the spectacular Founder’s Building and the world-famous Picture Gallery.

Solution: D&T’s data engineers are accredited and trained in the techniques and regulations surrounding listed buildings. Consequently, wireless technologies can be installed when invasive cabling cannot be utilised.

STUDENT WELFARE STANDARDS:

In any educational establishment, there are particular safeguarding issues, especially when working in sensitive, occupied areas such as halls of residence.

Solution: D&T’s staff are all DBS-checked and accustomed to working alongside students in sensitive areas. This means that works can be carried out in parallel, thereby ensuring continuity of service. Consultants with the common touch.

LONG-TERM PLANNING:

Given funding constraints and the year-round usage of the campus and its facilities, there is very little leeway for unforeseen problems and delays.

Solution: D&T employees pride themselves on being able to converse with people face-to-face in order to determine their issues & requirements, and the ability to combine this ‘on-the-ground commonsense’ with higher level strategic planning is what sets us apart from other data experts.

Gallery

“The installation work has always been of the highest standard. Also, the consultancy, survey and design work you have undertaken has proven invaluable, not to mention the lightning fast turn-around you have been able to effect for emergency repairs”.

Tim Silver, Network & Telecommunications Manager, RHUL

Technical overview

D&T have been employed by Royal Holloway University of London for over 15 years. Providing a specialist service we meet the ever increasing technical demands of the IT, telephone and AV infrastructures of this thriving academic institution.

With an almost permanent presence on site, D&T are involved in all aspects of the structured cabling. Works undertaken include surveys, design, remedials, new installs and maintenance, and we are the preferred contractor for all capital building projects for the University.