– Provided by Christian Wray, for Sudlows:
AWARD winning UK based data centre and IT infrastructure specialist Sudlows, has completed a project to design and build a new state of the art data centre at the head offices of online electricals retailer, AO.
This new data centre contains a number of key infrastructure elements that will support the growth of AO across the UK and Europe and provide further resilience and efficiency to its logistical operations.
Andy Hirst, Global Director for Sudlows commented; “AO is one of the UK’s fastest growing e-commerce retailers. A new cutting edge data centre is fundamental to maintaining their impressive growth and will ensure that the logistical and customer services departments have a robust platform to deliver their excellent service.”
David Wilson, Head of Infrastructure for AO added; “At AO we pride ourselves on our commitment to delivering excellent customer service. We are on a mission to give consumers a better way to shop the electrical retail sector and as we look to solidify this position, the physical wellbeing of our hardware estate is crucial as it underpins our ability to deliver an amazing customer experience. Sudlows has designed an extremely adaptable facility that can be rapidly scaled up to support peaks in demand without any interruption to our digital platform or operational resilience. This new energy efficient data centre will support our growth plans over the next five years.”
Established in 2000, AO is the driving force behind one of the largest online electrical retail brands, AO.com, and the fastest growing retailer of major domestic appliances. Having quickly progressed from market innovator to market leader, AO serves 4.5 million customers and is the market leader in growing the UK online market for major domestic appliances. One in four appliances purchased online is bought via an AO website, which as of October 2014 includes its first international website ao.de, which is based in Germany.
To find out more about Sudlows, please visit the website at http://www.sudlows.com
To find out more about the AO World, please visit their website at http://ao.com/corporate/
About AO
AO is no ordinary company – it delights in pushing boundaries and doing things differently, whether that be in its UK, German or future territory operations.
Traditionally, AO has been known for retailing major domestic appliances – fridges, washing machines, ovens. However, 2014 saw the online retailer extend its category offer into the consumer electronics sector with the launch of AV and sound. It also expanded its small domestic appliances portfolio.
With a motto ‘to be exceptional in the moments that matter’, at the heart of the business is an aspiration to change the world of retail, especially electrical retailing, for the better. AO is fanatical about making sure its customers get the best possible service out there. With a customer mandate led right from the very top of the business, AO believes in doing what is right and fair by the customer. It’s CEO wants people who have shopped with AO to become intolerant of poor service, and to start to demand more from every other retail experience as a result of the way AO has treated them.
By democratising product choice, and making information transparent, AO customers can make informed purchase decisions based on their individual needs. AO has racked a number of industry gongs – in 2015 AO was named Verdict Retailer of the Year, and in 2014 won Retail Week’s Award for Best Customer Service Initiative and PayPal Etail Awards for Overall Excellence and Best Large Pureplay Retailer.
About Sudlows
Sudlows are award winning leading experts in the application, design, installation and commissioning of leading edge Data Centre Solutions. Sudlows most recent clients have included; The Co-operative Group, United Utilities, Zen Internet and Transport for London.
Founded in 1912, Sudlows, who celebrated their centenary last year, began as one of the first electrical firms in the UK and has since evolved in response to changing technological and service requirements of their expansive customer base.
Principal Directors John Collins, (Managing Director), Chris Dummett, (Commercial Director), and Andy Hirst, (Global Director) operate their Manchester based business with the help of 120 staff members; comprising of 90 engineers, 50 Project Managers, Technical Support and Operational staff.
By integrating their Mechanical and Electrical Services heritage with their Connectivity Solutions Division, they can provide intelligent building infrastructures for both internal and external contracts.
The addition of a Building Services Division in 2007 completed their integrated approach and further strengthened their Managed Services Division that supports all technical departments with comprehensive 24hr specialist service cover.
