The University of Manchester is one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions, the birthplace of nuclear physics and artificial intelligence, with a long history of pioneering research, teaching and innovation.
Tens of thousands of students, staff and academics rely on its digital services every day, from teaching, learning and research to collaboration and administration.
For the University, digital infrastructure is not simply a technology concern. It is a foundation for student experience, research excellence and future innovation.
In 2019, the University’s leaders recognised that its ageing legacy Cisco network was no longer fit for purpose. They had set out to create a world-leading digital university, and that needed a network that could deliver a more reliable, seamless experience to around 40,000 users while also being more flexible and lower cost.
The pressures were considerable:
After a significant selection process across the industry, the University appointed Roc Technologies, working with HPE Aruba, to transform its network. Roc’s process-led approach, its commitment to collaboration and its innovative cost model were key to the appointment, alongside its commitment to the social and cultural values that matter to the University and its wider community.
Roc replaced the legacy Cisco infrastructure with a new wired Aruba network and refreshed the University’s existing Aruba WLAN, giving students, staff and academics a secure, seamless connection on any device, in any location across campus, without manual intervention or configuration.
With configuration and administration automated, the University’s IT team spends less time on routine changes and more on strategic work. Support is delivered through a hybrid model, with Roc and University IT teams working closely together.
Commercially, a consumption-based model let the University upgrade its entire network while paying only for the capacity it uses, increasing or decreasing volumes in line with demand through the academic year.
That relationship has continued to grow. More recently, Roc worked with the University to modernise the network at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), deploying HPE Aruba Networking Central to create a more intelligent, secure and automated environment.
Central manages wired, wireless and WAN networks through a single cloud console, rather than site by site. At AMBS, that brings three benefits:
Paul Westhead, Network Architect, The University of Manchester
At AMBS, the University’s own survey figures show that 85% of staff now rate Wi-Fi satisfaction at four out of five stars, and 80% say speed and reliability is excellent.
For students, staff and academics, the network is faster, more secure and more reliable, wherever they log in and on whatever device.
For the IT team, data-driven insight supports earlier identification and resolution of issues, rather than waiting for them to affect users. That helps maintain consistent, high-speed access and reduces the risk of costly downtime.
For the University, costs track real demand, and the scalable platform means new services can be introduced more quickly when needed. Central is now being extended to other buildings across the campus.