Balsberg

Switzerland: SPIE installs the new IT infrastructure at the Balsberg building complex and will operate it for five years

Published on 27 September 2022

Wallisellen, 27 September 2022 – SPIE Switzerland, the Swiss subsidiary of SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, is upgrading the IT infrastructure in the Balsberg building and will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the internal WLAN and LAN network via SPIE cello:connect managed services.

Following a call for tenders, SPIE Switzerland was chosen to carry out the implementation and 24-hour operation of a reliable IT infrastructure at the Balsberg building complex.

The Balsberg office complex in Glattbrugg, the former headquarters of Swissair, has been transformed: its main usable area was increased in 2021 from 45,000 m² over seven floors to more than 82,000 m² over 10 floors, offering current and future tenants an even more comprehensive range of office spaces and meeting rooms. As part of this extension, the building was also modernised. Commercial management of the premises is provided by Intercity Bewirtschaftung AG, while technical facility management is managed by Gricu AG.

The reliable and effective cello:connect “Enterprise” solution from SPIE

Following the building’s extension, the various parts of the network were no longer reliably available across the floors, and the network had also reached the end of its life cycle. Stable and reliable WAN (wide area network), LAN (local area network) and WLAN (wireless local area network) infrastructure, with suitable security configurations, was a key criterion in the owner’s choice of partner.

SPIE Switzerland’s solution is based on the cello:connect “Enterprise” managed network services, which have an innovative model that consists in only invoicing for the connections used (pay as you use). For the premises owner, this means that no other investment costs are required, as operating and maintenance costs are included in the monthly price. Thanks to cello:connect, costs are easy to calculate, and the customer’s requirements have been met.

The project also included the transition and clean-up of the existing infrastructure, the WLAN access services for hosts via SMS, 24/7 operation, technical troubleshooting and the implementation of a security module. Cello:connect is a service that provides a standardised, high-performance, state-of-the-art LAN environment. Its standard functions allow for widespread use.

The design and deployment of the network also cover the basic network infrastructure for the building services, such as video surveillance, access control, the building management system and facility management. SPIE is wholly responsible for operating the solution.

Curdin Grischott, Managing Director of Gricu AG, explains: “The cello:connect solution from SPIE met all our requirements. Over the course of the project, SPIE proved to be a reliable partner”.

I am convinced that both we and our tenants will benefit effectively from the full range of SPIE’s IT innovations and integrated services,” adds Darja Löhrer, Senior Manager of the Balsberg Management Team at Intercity Bewirtschaftung AG.

As part of the SPIE service catalogue, new tenants who need their own LAN and WLAN infrastructure can contact the SPIE services and conclude their own contract directly with SPIE.

Tenants, visitors and operators at the Balsberg building complex can also benefit from tools and processes developed by SPIE, which has many years of experience as a managed service provider. Today, SPIE uses its own automation systems, developed from its experience on the ground. Network automation facilitates standardisation and optimises operational efficiency.

The project has already been launched and is currently in a successful operating phase.

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