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ANU student accomodation

ANU SA5 Building

ANU SA5 building... a high-performing, future-proof communications network

Exceptional service, speedy and secure delivery, technical expertise and an ongoing partnership that spans well over a decade …

These are just some of the reasons why Andrew Jessup, ACT Branch Manager at Programmed Electrical Technologies (PET), decided to partner with OSA when installing the high-performing, future-proof communications network for the Australian National University’s (ANU) new Student Accommodation 5 (SA5) building.

 

“There are basically two main companies in the ACT that have the capability to supply us with the materials we needed to deliver a fully compliant Molex Cat6 network,” says Andrew,  “but OSA was the obvious choice for us.

We have worked with OSA for over a decade now, and the OSA point of difference is the reassurance we have knowing that not only will OSA always deliver the product we need safely and securely to site … but they will also deliver an exceptional level of service and a level of technical expertise that no other supplier can match.”

Future-proof communications network

Creating a future-proof communications network in a building that also respects and reflects the past

As the original undergraduate residence built at the ANU, Bruce Hall is an integral part of Australian National University’s campus life and its history, but after 55 years of service it was time for it to be demolished and rebuilt.

This meant there were over 500 domestic and international students who needed to be temporarily rehoused in a new building that would also be opened up to the wider student community once the new Bruce Hall was completed.

The solution to this problem was SA5, a building designed with input from students to retain the community features that make Bruce Hall such an important part of ANU’s history …

whilst also delivering a future-proof, state-of-the-art communications network with superior connectivity, catering to both the current and future needs of an increasingly multicultural student population.

OSA worked in partnership with PET to install the communication services to all 500 high-quality single rooms, as well as all associated breakout and administration areas in this $53 million building development.

Horseshoe shape SA5 Building

Meeting unexpected challenges along the way

The unusual horseshoe shape of the SA5 building, which meant the lengths of copper cable needed to be extended close to their maximum length of 90 metres, was just the first of many challenges of this unique project.

“The installation of the comms network occurred during an unseasonably wet winter, and we also had restricted vehicular access and other third-party trades working on-site at the same time to consider,” says Andrew.

Because of these challenges and an unexpected delay in the supply of windows for the job, the cable support infrastructures and conduit routes needed to be established or altered accordingly throughout the construction program, so OSA’s flexible and timely delivery of all the necessary cabling was vital for our ability to meet the ever-changing deadlines.”

During the build, the ANU’s security contractor also discovered that the external security cameras sat beyond the transmission range of the Power over Ethernet (PoE) platform they operated on.

“We were able to help overcome this limitation by working with OSA to design and implement an alternative powered fibre solution which enabled the external security cameras to function as required,” says Andrew.

When it was then discovered that the building materials used to separate each room had created an inadvertent barrier to radio frequency signals, PET installed wireless access points in each room, with OSA once again supplying the necessary expertise and delivering the materials on time.

Despite all of these challenges, OSA’s level of service and delivery, as well as proactive and clear communication throughout the entire project, enabled PET to meet the rigid timelines for handover of this project, helping the ANU meet the ever-growing demand for on-campus housing on Australia’s leading educational campus.

Building networks and relationships

Building networks and relationships that add value

Meeting the strict timelines for such a big project also required communication and negotiation with OSA’s vendors, Molex and Argent.

“OSA have fantastic relationships with their suppliers, and their excellent coordination on this job with Molex to supply the cable network and Argent to supply and fine-tune the cabinets was a large part of its success,” says Andrew.

OSA not only met the requirements of our pricing, and then ordered, held and delivered stock in line with our timelines, but the team at OSA’s ACT branch also helped us liaise with our client, ANU and their suppliers, Molex and Argent.

OSA firstly liaised with the Australian National University to fine tune the cabinet specifications and then worked with their vendor Argent to ensure the main requirements of the ANU rack spec were met.”

Delivering technical expertise as well as cable

Delivering technical expertise as well as cable

“Very few other suppliers, if any, have the same level of technical expertise as OSA, or ability to help us in this area,” says Andrew. “Evan, in particular, can answer just about any technical question, even it if does not directly relate to OSA.

OSA also deliver the little extras that really make the difference. The entire team are a pleasure to work with and we know they’ll always deliver on every level. OSA’s relationships within their office are important too, with Justyn working behind the scenes to order stock and coordinate deliveries and timeframes and Greg as our go to man for all things racks.

PET and OSA’s long-standing, ongoing and productive working partnership spans over a decade, and we intend to continue to partner with OSA on many more projects for the next decade ahead.

Because unlike other suppliers, OSA don’t just deliver cable … they also deliver the service and technical expertise as well.”

Here at OSA, we can help determine exactly what your business networking requirements are, to ensure your network is working at its optimum level, whilst mitigating risk. When you are ready to upgrade your system or simply need some advice, contact us today for a no obligation chat.

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See what our clients are saying

“Working with the team at OSA ACT produced excellent results. Through their established partnerships and technical know-how, our team and the team at OSA were able to engineer a working solution for the testing of the new fibre optic network infrastructure at Parliament House Australia that exceeded all expectations. The relationship with OSA enabled the department to employ financial diligence and successfully complete the comprehensive testing requirements ahead of time and with total accuracy and confidence.”

Mark Boomby

IT Director, Australian Parliament House

“Partnering with OSA gives us a huge advantage. I’m confident that we will continue to rely on Dennis and his team. Their knowledge of the products and their commitment to servicing the customer are second to none.”

Greg Upton

Director, MDE

“We’ve been working closely with OSA to make sure delivery schedules are being met, the right products are being sourced and installed and even commissioning the services. OSA has helped us to make sure we deliver the best solution we can to our clients.”

Richard Stach

NCIS Project Director – Integration

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