News

Keyano’s computer servers now have a new home in a state-of-the-art Data Centre, completed earlier this summer.

Located in the Clearwater Campus, the new Data Centre cost $1.6 million and was completed in nine months. It is the centralized location for the College’s computer servers including the I-Net security system. The 650 square foot facility ensures that Keyano’s computer infrastructure is safe, strengthening the institution’s business continuity and disaster recovery plans, and featuring an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system to keep systems going and data safe during power service interruptions.

The Data Centre is equipped with environment and climate control mechanisms such as a new HVAC system and a fire suppression system integrated to a state-of-the-art smoke detection and fire alarm systems. It was built by Titan, a Fort McMurray based company.

Al Adibi, Vice President, Finance & Administration and CFO, Keyano College, is proud of the new facility and cites it critical to future expansion.

“The new Data Centre will provide adequate capacity for future expansion including a virtualization system which was recently initiated by the Educational Technical Steering Committee at Keyano and approved by the Executive Committee,” explains Adibi.

“Virtualization allows authenticated and authorized users the ability to access the same desktop environment from different devices such as personal computers, notebook computers, and PDAs even from remote locations. It places the delivery of the desktop environment on a central server system increasing security and making delivery of educational applications more flexible,” Adibi explained.

Brad Yoder, Chief Technology Officer, Keyano College, says the Data Centre means added protection to Keyano’s backbone systems such as Power Campus, which holds student records and more, as well as protection from power surges and temperature fluctuations.

“We have an underground coolant system as well as fire suppression system. There are eight security cameras, and access is restricted to a few individuals only. This makes my job a lot easier,” explained Yoder.

Rose Viscount, Project Manager, Keyano College, managed the Data Centre project, which was delivered on time and on budget.

“The challenge was to understand what everyone needed and implement it. This included expansion, flexibility and equipment reliability. We are proud of the results,” she said.

For more information, please contact: Kiran Malik-Khan Communications Coordinator Marketing & Communications Keyano College 780-791-8971