Computer-related management services. Computer support and consultancy services. Information systems. The data centre partner should be able to offer the following:

— Fully redundant environments: N+1 redundancy (Power, internal network connectivity, redundant diverse external connections etc.)

— A high level of physical security with appropriate monitoring and control

— ISO27001 information security accreditation

— Business impact levels compliant to (at least) IL2

— Virgin Media Business POP (VMB work with Metro to provide network connectivity)

— Data centre staff on site 24/7/365

— Data centre to be accessible by Metro staff 24/7/365 (by arrangement if necessary)

The data centre partner should offer flexibility surrounding data centre hosting solutions. Metro will be seeking a partner who can provide services beyond pure rack space i.e. IaaS, co-location or a hybrid solution. The data centre partner could be able to offer the following:

— The provider may be able to procure (and manage) a new, dedicated, hardware infrastructure for Metro

— The provider may be able to be able to offer access to a Managed Virtual Infrastructure (IaaS)

— The provider should be able to supply rack space exclusive to Metro (in a pure co-location and hybrid scenarios)

— The provider may be able to offer a hybrid solution of rack space, IaaS and managed infrastructure

A range of bespoke service support arrangements should also be offered, allowing Metro ICT staff to focus on critical delivery. The data centre partner could be able to offer the following:

— a hands and eyes support

— co-operate with 3rd party vendors undertaking work on behalf of Metro

— monitoring and alerting services

— hardware patching for co-located infrastructure (servers, SANs, Fabric)

— OS level patching for co-located servers

— manage back-up tape rotation, if required

— back-up as a service

— a managed firewall as a service

The Data Centre Hosting provider should demonstrate experience in migrating infrastructure services, not only for assurance but also to ensure a range of consultancy needs can be met if and when required.

A Data Centre provider is being sought not only for hosting existing infrastructure but also to offer possible solutions to future projects.