GeoTab Inc., Reading: Cat B office technology fit-out
Client Overview
GeoTab Inc. is a global leader in connected vehicle technology and fleet management solutions, headquartered in Canada. With operations spanning multiple countries, GeoTab required a trusted technology partner to manage the full IT infrastructure deployment for their new UK office located in Reading, Berkshire, a project that demanded seamless remote coordination across time zones.
GeoTab Inc., Reading: Cat B office technology fit-out
A routine Cat B technology fit-out for GeoTab’s new Reading office uncovered a flooded sub-floor beneath the raised flooring, and became a complete IT, AV and security infrastructure rebuild.
When global connected vehicle technology specialist GeoTab Inc. established a new office in Reading, ACCL was appointed to deliver the technology infrastructure needed to make it operational. A pre-installation survey uncovered a flooded sub-floor cavity beneath the existing raised floor, turning a routine Cat B deployment into a full infrastructure remediation and rebuild, coordinated throughout with GeoTab’s Canada-based project team.
The result
Despite a significant unforeseen infrastructure problem, ACCL delivered a complete and operational technology environment for GeoTab’s Reading office. The completed project provided GeoTab with:
- New Cat 6A structured cabling installed throughout
- Sub-floor flood fully investigated and remediated
- Wi-Fi access points installed and connected
- CCTV infrastructure cabled and commissioned
- Access control system installed and configured
- Visitor registration system deployed
- 42 Dell monitors and stands installed
- Three meeting rooms with LG AV & video conferencing
Services delivered
Overview
GeoTab Inc. is a global provider of connected vehicle technology and fleet management solutions, headquartered in Canada and operating internationally. When the company established a new office in Reading, Berkshire, ACCL was appointed to coordinate and deliver the technology infrastructure required to make the workspace operational.
With the project being managed by GeoTab personnel based in Canada, the installation also required ACCL to provide effective remote project management, equipment logistics and communication across international time zones.
The challenge
GeoTab initially approached ACCL to support the technology deployment within an office that had undergone a Category B physical fit-out approximately nine months earlier. The original requirement included testing the existing structured cabling and installing and commissioning the technology needed to make the new workplace operational, including:
- Testing the existing structured data cabling
- Installing and configuring access control
- Deploying monitors and monitor stands across 42 workstations
- Installing wall-mounted LG displays and meeting-room soundbars
- Deploying video conferencing technology across three meeting rooms
- Installing Wi-Fi access points and CCTV infrastructure
- Deploying a visitor registration system
Before committing engineering resources and equipment to the installation, ACCL recommended that a detailed pre-installation infrastructure survey and cabling audit be undertaken. That decision proved critical.
The survey that changed the project
During testing, ACCL engineers identified abnormal results within the existing infrastructure. Rather than simply recording the failures and replacing individual connections, the engineering team investigated further, removing raised-floor tiles to examine the cable routes beneath the office.
The entire sub-floor cavity was found to be flooded. The water ingress represented a significant and previously unidentified problem affecting both the existing data and power infrastructure beneath the floor.
Had the project proceeded directly to equipment installation without ACCL’s initial survey, the issue could have been discovered considerably later, potentially after workstations, network equipment and other technology had already been deployed. The project moved immediately from a conventional office technology installation into a coordinated infrastructure recovery and remediation programme.
Responding to the unforeseen
All affected sub-floor data and power cabling had to be safely removed before new infrastructure could be installed. A two-week investigation and remediation programme followed, involving the client, insurers and other project stakeholders.
The sub-floor void was cleared, cleaned and thoroughly dried before ACCL returned to commence the new installation. Redundant and affected communications cabling was recovered and recycled responsibly wherever possible.
Throughout the remediation period, ACCL maintained regular communication with GeoTab’s Canada-based project team, providing updates on site conditions, revised timescales and the implications for the installation programme.
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International equipment logistics
The project presented another unusual challenge: much of GeoTab’s IT equipment was being supplied directly from Canada. Rather than shipping equipment to an office that was temporarily unsuitable for installation, GeoTab arranged for the technology to be delivered directly to ACCL.
ACCL’s facilities team received, securely stored and managed the equipment inventory until the Reading site was ready. ACCL also coordinated the collection of network switches and a photocopier from GeoTab’s existing Woking location, consolidating the equipment required for the Reading deployment.
This provided GeoTab with a single UK partner responsible not only for installation but also for the logistics surrounding the technology rollout.
Rebuilding the network infrastructure
Once the sub-floor had been remediated and approved for works, ACCL mobilised its installation team. With the original cabling no longer suitable for reuse, a new Cat 6A structured cabling infrastructure was installed throughout the office.
The network was designed to support user workstations, Wi-Fi access points, CCTV, access control, AV systems, video conferencing, visitor management, network equipment and general IP connectivity. The installation was subsequently tested and commissioned before handover.
Technologies used
ACCL’s role
This project required considerably more than the installation of network cabling and IT equipment. ACCL provided GeoTab with a complete technology delivery service, including:
- Pre-installation infrastructure survey and cabling audit
- Sub-floor flood investigation and two-week remediation
- Removal and recycling of affected cabling
- New Cat 6A structured cabling installation throughout
- Wi-Fi access point installation
- CCTV cabling installation
- Access control installation and configuration
- Visitor registration system deployment
- Meeting-room AV and video conferencing across three rooms
- 42 Dell workstation monitors and stands installed
- Receipt, storage and logistics of equipment shipped from Canada
- Collection of network switches and a photocopier from Woking
- Testing and commissioning of the completed network
- Canada-UK project coordination throughout
Client feedback
“Outstanding service from ACCL. They did an incredible job with our networking and data cabling. The setup is neat, professional, and works perfectly. Extremely knowledgeable and easy to work with. I’ll definitely be using them for all our future IT needs! Huge shout to Wayne Connors and David Little for managing this.”
Amritpal Singh
The outcome
Despite a major unforeseen infrastructure problem, ACCL successfully delivered a complete and operational technology environment for GeoTab’s Reading team. Following completion of the remediation works, the installation was delivered in approximately four weeks.
The completed office incorporated a new Cat 6A structured cabling infrastructure alongside Wi-Fi, CCTV connectivity, access control, visitor management, workstation technology and fully equipped AV meeting rooms.
More importantly, the project demonstrated the value of investigating existing infrastructure before relying upon it. A project originally expected to involve testing and reusing existing cabling instead required substantial remediation and complete replacement of the network infrastructure. By identifying the problem before deployment, ACCL was able to help GeoTab protect its equipment, reorganise the programme and ultimately take possession of a properly tested and operational workplace.
Related guidance
Foreword by Wayne
“This project is a very good example of why we insist on understanding the infrastructure before we start installing equipment. On paper, we were walking into a completed Cat B office where much of the existing cabling was expected to be reusable. Our testing told us something wasn’t right, so the engineers investigated further and discovered the flooded floor void.That completely changed the project, but it also demonstrated the value of carrying out the survey properly. We identified the problem before GeoTab’s equipment was deployed and were then able to work with the client while the remediation was completed.Managing the project from the UK for a client team based in Canada added another dimension. We received and stored their equipment, collected additional technology from their Woking office and then brought everything together once the Reading site was ready.What I particularly like about this project is that we weren’t simply the cabling contractor. We became GeoTab’s technology delivery partner on the ground in the UK, taking responsibility for everything from the network infrastructure and Wi-Fi through to AV, access control and workstation deployment. That’s exactly the type of role ACCL is increasingly being asked to fulfil.”Wayne Connors, Managing Director, ACCL
Frequently asked questions
What did GeoTab’s Cat B office technology fit-out in Reading involve?
A complete technology deployment covering Cat 6A structured cabling, Wi-Fi, CCTV, access control, meeting-room AV, video conferencing, workstation deployment and visitor registration for GeoTab’s new UK office in Reading.
Why did ACCL recommend a survey before starting the installation?
Rather than proceeding straight to installing equipment onto an office that had undergone a Cat B fit-out roughly nine months earlier, ACCL recommended a detailed pre-installation infrastructure survey and cabling audit. That decision meant a serious hidden problem was identified before any equipment was deployed.
What did ACCL discover during the survey?
Testing revealed abnormal results in the existing infrastructure. When engineers investigated further and lifted raised-floor tiles, they found the entire sub-floor cavity was flooded, affecting both the existing data and power cabling.
How was the flooded sub-floor resolved?
A two-week investigation and remediation programme followed, involving GeoTab, its insurers and other stakeholders. All affected cabling was safely removed, and the sub-floor void was cleared, cleaned and dried before ACCL returned to install the new infrastructure.
How did ACCL manage equipment shipped from Canada?
Much of GeoTab’s IT equipment was supplied directly from Canada. Rather than shipping it to an office that was temporarily unsuitable, GeoTab arranged for it to be delivered to ACCL, whose facilities team received, securely stored and managed the inventory until the Reading site was ready. ACCL also collected network switches and a photocopier from GeoTab’s existing Woking office.
How many workstations and meeting rooms did ACCL equip?
42 workstations were fitted with Dell monitors and monitor stands, and three meeting rooms were equipped with wall-mounted LG displays, soundbars and video conferencing technology.
What technology infrastructure did ACCL deliver overall?
A complete package spanning new Cat 6A structured cabling, Wi-Fi infrastructure, CCTV cabling, access control, meeting-room AV, video conferencing, workstation technology and a visitor registration system, all tested and commissioned before handover.
How long did the project take to complete?
Following completion of the remediation works, the installation itself was delivered in approximately four weeks.
How did ACCL coordinate the project with GeoTab’s Canada-based team?
ACCL maintained structured communication throughout, providing updates on site conditions, revised timescales and programme implications despite the client team being thousands of miles away, across multiple time zones.
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