Northern Gas Networks (NGN)
has begun developing an IT infrastructure to control the gas
distribution network it bought from National Grid last
June.
Currently, NGN uses a gas control service provided by National
Grid Gas, but the company plans to assume control of these
operations over the next two years.
To build the infrastructure, NGN is procuring a Scada
(supervisory control and data acquisition) system and a business
application system that will include telemetry, forecasting, and
workflow management, plus desktop applications.
It has put out a wide-reaching tender for IT equipment and
services that includes supplying and managing the network,
hardware, business applications, datacentre and disaster recovery
centre.
"For NGN to have an operational self-standing gas control room
by May 2009, NGN requires the necessary IT infrastructure to
operate a gas control room," said the company in its procurement
statement.
Systems will need to be in place from early 2008 to allow for
testing and staff training, said NGN.
Among the IT services that NGN requires are desktop, server and
network management, disaster recovery, IT infrastructure support
and maintenance, and Wan, Lan and wireless network management.
NGN said it was unable to put a total value on the contract at
this time.
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