Spain An expanding business with an expanding infrastructure

TDS is to build a new data centre in Neuenstadt near Neckarsulm. The foundation stone will be laid for the 3,700 square-metre facility on 12 May 2009. IT equipment will be installed from late 2009, and customer systems are scheduled to go live in mid-March 2010. TDS is ploughing more than 10 million euros into the new facility. During phase 1 of the project, the building, which can be extended if required, will provide space for some 3,500 servers. The project will initially create 15 new jobs in Neuenstadt and additional positions at other TDS sites in Germany.

The new data centre, located approximately 10km from TDS headquarters in Neckarsulm, creates additional resources for IT operations on behalf of both new and existing customers. In light of its growing IT outsourcing business, TDS’ existing data centres are fast reaching their limits. TDS will also be able to provide parent company Fujitsu with additional data-centre capacity. Some of Fujitsu’s customers in Germany and beyond are already using computing power supplied by TDS.

Security, high availability and energy efficiency
Security is a high priority at the new data centre. The building will be equipped with fire-alarm, intrusion-detection and biometric access control systems. The facility will be linked to the company’s existing data centres, ensuring continuity of service, even in the event of a disaster. On completion, it will be certified by independent bodies to the highest possible security standards (e.g. to Uptime Institute’s international Tier III standard and TüVIT Level 4 from TÜV Informationstechnik, a German-based certification body for IT systems, products and processes). TDS’ other data centres have already gained corresponding certification.

To reduce power consumption, the facility will not only deploy cutting-edge IT technology, but also the latest cooling and air-conditioning systems. For example, outside air will be used for indirect free cooling, increasing energy efficiency.

Services delivered from Germany
“Our mid-sized customers prefer to outsource to partners located in Germany. With our new data centre, we are strengthening our position as a German-based provider, and opening up new avenues to growth,” explains Konrad Meier, the executive board member responsible for TDS’ IT outsourcing business. Moreover, TDS’ highly competitive data centres in Germany offer greater opportunities in terms of cross-border IT projects: “Some of Fujitsu’s major international customers will make use of the additional capacity available in and around Neckarsulm, which will help secure jobs in Germany”, adds Dr. Heiner Diefenbach, CEO of TDS.

New jobs at TDS
TDS is not only expanding in terms of infrastructure, it is also creating new jobs. At the new data centre alone, around 15 staff will be needed in phase one of the facility’s development. And to support further growth, the company is seeking additional staff for IT, sales and administration. For further details of vacancies at TDS, visit www.tds.de/karriere (German version only).