The University of Northampton’s ambition to become a digital leader in UK higher education has received a boost ahead of its move to a new £330 million smart campus.
The uni has partnered with cloud automation specialist PowerON to deliver a digital transformation including the full suite of Microsoft solutions as part of its new smart campus programme.
The Waterside Campus, to which it will move in September 2018, has been purpose-built with an intelligent technology infrastructure capable of supporting new ways of teaching, learning and working.
“Technology is a key enabler for the new campus,” said PowerON MD Philip Mercer. “Microsoft System Center, an all-encompassing management solution, is a key component.
“The University of Northampton is one of the first institutions to deploy the full System Center suite. By adopting such a modern suite of management tools, in line with the transition to the new modern campus, the technology will support it in delivering a fully unified approach across its operations.”
PowerON, founded in 2015 by Phil Mercer (pictured above, left) and Steve Beaumont (right), provides its IT management and cloud automation solutions to organisations of all sizes in the public and private sectors.
Employing 27 staff in York, Lincolnshire and Surrey, it has seen its turnover almost double to more than £2 million during that period.
Rob Palfreman, head of IT at the university, added: “The university believes the partnership with PowerON will future-proof the new campus allowing us to meet the changing needs and demands of students.”