In the data center business, continuous critical systems uptime is everything. Customers rely on their colocation facility to house their critical IT systems\u2014which include servers, storage, and network equipment\u2014and provide the utilities, communications infrastructure, and physical security they need.<\/p>\n
In 2010, FORTRUST began a rapid expansion\u2014growing up to 40% annually. Because facility maintenance is the backbone of the company\u2019s services, it became clear they needed a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to effectively handle the expansion of installed equipment and the corresponding maintenance tasks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to keep up with our rapid growth,\u201d explained Joe Harris, FORTRUST\u2019s critical systems lead. \u201cThe Excel spreadsheets just weren\u2019t cutting it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Originally, the facility maintenance team toyed with creating a custom, in-house database to manage their electrical and mechanical systems. But a little Internet research changed their minds.<\/p>\n
\u201cMPulse had everything we needed, and more,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n
In late 2011, FORTRUST purchased MPulse Silver Edition plus Advanced Inventory Control and the Keys & Locks module. This affordable, powerful, easy-to-use software provided all the features they needed to keep their data center running at peak efficiency 24\/7:<\/p>\n
After the MPulse implementation, FORTRUST facility maintenance employees established a comprehensive preventive maintenance (PM) program to ensure manufacturers\u2019 recommended maintenance tasks happened on time on all their critical assets. And MPulse\u2019s work order management features made it easier to approve, assign, schedule, and manage maintenance.<\/p>\n
Today, FORTRUST has nearly a 100% monthly work order completion rate. \u201cMPulse improves our accountability because work orders are much easier to track,\u201d explained Jeff Killcoyne, FORTRUST facilities technician. \u201cAlso, since we work 24\/7, I don\u2019t see everyone I work with. MPulse creates a pass-down of information, so people know what has happened and what needs to happen when they come on shift.\u201d<\/p>\n
FORTRUST\u2019s facility maintenance team also launched an inventory control program with MPulse. They\u2019re now able to monitor inventory consumption by simply linking part usage to work orders with MPulse PartLink\u2122. And they can easily check stock levels of any part or supply. They also began to track and store vendor information. As a result, FORTRUST has reduced its inventory expenditures by 30% in just 5 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a limited amount of storage space,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cBefore MPulse, we noticed we were keeping a lot of stuff on hand that we didn\u2019t need, and then we had to throw it out because it had a limited shelf life. That costs money. With MPulse, we know which parts are more beneficial to order on an as-needed basis, which ones we should keep on hand, and which ones need longer lead times.\u201d<\/p>\n
FORTRUST also uses MPulse\u2019s asset management & tracking features to track everything from computers to security cameras to biometric readers and HVAC systems.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe keep records of everything we have and where\u2019s it\u2019s located,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cWe store the model numbers and serial numbers of all of our equipment, as well as its warranty information. Plus, we\u2019re starting to track how much we spend on asset repairs, so we\u2019ll know when it\u2019s time to replace things.\u201d<\/p>\n
MPulse provided other key benefits for the facility maintenance team, too.<\/p>\n
FORTRUST\u2019s business strategy is built on the concept of creating reliability, providing business value, providing a high level of customer service and mitigating risk (which they call \u201cfuture-proofing\u201d). The company specifically designed its data center colocation solutions to grow and expand quickly, and its continuous critical systems uptime service record is a key component of FORTRUST\u2019s customer service and marketing strategy.<\/p>\n
Company officials attribute their success to FORTRUST\u2019s people, processes, and operations\u2014particularly the facility maintenance team. In turn, the facility maintenance team is quick to acknowledge how MPulse Maintenance Software has transformed their workflow and improved their efficiency in so many areas. \u201cMPulse is our go-to resource,\u201d Joe said. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t do our jobs without it.\u201d<\/p>\n
FORTRUST (fortrustdatacenter.com) was founded in 2000 to meet the growing need for data center services. As a colocation provider, the company provides reliable conditioned power, cooling, and security for companies looking to host their IT systems offsite as their primary or disaster recovery site. The Uptime Institute has awarded FORTRUST\u2019s Denver, CO, data center a Tier III Gold Certification for Constructed Facility.<\/p>\n
The company employs 50 people, 10 of whom work as facilities staff members. These employees are responsible for maintaining all aspects of the facility, including HVAC, electrical power equipment, and security systems. The company is proud of its record of providing over 15 years of continuous critical systems uptime to customers across the globe from its Denver data center.<\/p>\n