Our network operations centre (NOC) is based in Clerkenwell near to Farringdon Tube Station in Central London.  This places us close to our client base, which is imperative for ensuring our response times can meet our required service levels. 

Here we monitor our client sites using our 24x7 software which in turn allows us to fix issues remotely outside of office hours, which is another key differentiator of Backbone.  Many IT support companies will claim to have a 24x7 monitoring service, but very few can actually do anything about it if a problem is identified.

We also run our test bed which is a key “behind the scenes” part of our service in that it gives us the ability to try out latest software updates and patches on simulated sites, investigate the suitability of new software and run tests on hardware.

Linked closely with the test bed is our build area where often client hardware is delivered to be preconfigured and built as far as possible before dispatching to site for final implementation.  For many clients, this is highly beneficial due to the space required for this stage in a project, the noise of fans when the units are open and the relative “unknown” as to the length of the configuration given this is the most likely point where failures (both hardware & software) occur holding up a project.

The NOC is where the Server Engineers and Support Desk team base themselves which fits in well with the test bed and has great benefits to the business if a complex problem is being investigated round the corner.