Client: Royal Mail| Sector: Warehouse and Distribution| Duration: Long Term
Expert Data Cabling Solutions
Since 2001, NM Cabling has been an approved supplier for Royal Mail. As a result, we have undertaken numerous national roll-out projects for them. Furthermore, the ongoing relocations and maintenance to these machines have been part of that approved supplier period. As an expert data cabling company in the warehouse space, we have been part of the design, scheduling and implementation of all the national roll-outs in this period.
National Roll Outs
There have been several different roll-out projects over this period. For example, the various elements of the posting process each required a nationally organised rollout. Furthermore, these affected each of the Royal Mail sorting centre locations. Therefore, during each rollout, a specific plan was needed for surveying, planning, installation and commissioning.
To this end, each machine and process required a different cable specification. Subsequently, this covered all the structured cabling elements of fibre optics, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and coaxial cabling. In addition, there were legacy systems of Thinet and Thicknet. As a result, NM Cabling was required to maintain, support and replace as necessary.
AI Rollout 2001
The first national rollout was for the address-interpretation upgrade to Royal Mail machines. The requirement for copper and fibre optic cabling to a variety of different mail sorting machines throughout the UK. In total, 275 Machines and 150 consoles were upgraded throughout 65 sites over a 2-year period, with sites taking on average one to two weeks each to complete
Smart Stamp Scanner Rollout
During the AI rollout, a new system for digitally printing stamps was developed. These required a scanner at the warehouse level to check conformity in letter stamps. For this, a fibre optic cable was needed to every scanner in every location, which was completed on a site-to-site roll-out over the next 16 weeks.
OM4 Fibre Upgrade
For the upgrade to modern fibre-optic cabling to support new IT systems, each location was again visited to upgrade the existing OM1 fibre cabling to OM4.
CSS Machine Rollout
A new machine for Royal Mail around 2010 required cabling to each machine and additional cabling to a newly dedicated central data cabinet, computer consoles, and printers. Approximately 400 machines and consoles were part of the rollout project.
ILSM Rollout
The original LSM (Letter Sorting Machines) were phased out in favour of intelligent sorting machines (iLSM) at about the same time as the CSS introduction. 100 iLSM machines were introduced throughout the RM locations, and all required new fibre cabling and data centre/comms room upgrades to the internal cabling
Topps 2k / Flats / Packets Machines
The move from letters to larger letters and parcels came with the introduction of larger machines capable of sorting larger objects.
The machines use contrasting technologies, but all require a combination of copper and fibre-optic cabling to connect to the operating network. In total, this resulted in another 100-plus machines.
Ongoing Moves, Changes and Maintenance
These rollouts have deployed specific machines and systems into Royal Mail buildings throughout the UK. Furthermore, they have also been required to move either within the same building or between different buildings. Generally, this is because the postal landscape has changed. Thus, the structured cabling required for each of these relocations is undertaken as part of our approved installer process. Over the past 20 years, this has resulted in approximately 700-800 additional moves and changes
The Royal Mail centres have ranged from historical centres such as Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, Gatwick, and Norwich to newly built centres such as Medway, Northampton and Warrington.
Warehouse Expert Data Cabling Installations
The majority of installations are located in large-scale, high-level warehouses. Our expertise in high-level installations has been critical in delivering these solutions.
In the first instance, the planning process for a warehouse space differs significantly from that for an office, school, hotel, or any other similar commercial cabling project.
In addition, a high reliance is placed on the installation program being very flexible, and the majority of times is undertaken out of hours. Generally, these areas have employees working underneath. Therefore, the majority of installations were taken when the mail processing was at its quietest
NM Cabling adheres to all health and safety requirements and coordinates schedules with busy warehouse operations. These may include warehouse racking and automated picking equipment, as well as the operational work of other trades in the area.
Overall Solution of Services
As a total cabling and technology installation company, we have worked on various types of projects for the Royal Mail over this approved contractor period.
Projects have included
- Fibre Optic and Structured Cabling to mail processing machines
- Installation of Digital Signage for the management of workflows throughout the warehouse floor
- Video conferencing and audiovisual equipment for meeting rooms and boardrooms
- Structured Cabling to Fire, Security and BMS Systems
- Commercial Data Cabling and Electrical Installations to the administration offices
- Training room Audio Visual systems and installation
- Expert data cabling design, management, support and maintenance
You can read more about our warehouse and expert data cabling installation services at our dedicated Warehouse and Distribution Page Here
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