Member Article

ANS to help lay foundations for Manchester’s smart city project

Cloud and managed services provider ANS Group has been selected as an official supplier for CityVerve, the UK’s smart cities demonstrator based in Manchester.

ANS will collaborate with CityVerve to support in the configuration, implementation and management of the project’s critical infrastructure. The company will play a role in the smooth running and continuous availability of the project’s smart technology.

Taking place along the Oxford Road corridor, CityVerve will connect everything from bus stops, healthcare devices, air quality and artwork. By embracing next generation technology and innovation, the project aims to improve healthcare, transport and the environment, as well as empowering Manchester’s citizens and visitors.

As an award-winning Cisco Gold Partner, ANS was selected to host the Cisco infrastructure and cloud-enabled software from its Manchester based, Secure Operations Centre. ANS will manage the private and public cloud infrastructure 24x7x365 enabling the internet of things (IoT) software to constantly track and analyse the data required to enable Manchester to operate successfully as one of the UK’s first smart cities.

Led by Manchester City Council, CityVerve is being delivered by a consortium of organisations from the public, corporate, SME and academic worlds. The project aims to create a blueprint for smart cities across the globe.

Paul Shannon, CEO at ANS, said: “As a city, innovation is in our blood, and the CityVerve project is another example of Manchester leading the way when it comes to new ways of working and revolutionary technology. I have no doubt that CityVerve will cement Manchester’s position at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse and enhance the City’s presence on the global stage.

“We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality service for all of our customers and we will be on-hand 24/7 to ensure that the infrastructure underpinning this project runs smoothly in the background. We’re a proud Manchester business and the team is relishing the chance to play a key part in the roll out and continuation of this pioneering project.”

Nick Chrissos, head of innovation, Cisco UK and Ireland, said: “ANS has impressive public sector credentials and offers us peace of mind that our critical infrastructure is in safe hands. This, together with its cutting-edge technology and in-depth knowledge of how connected devices can be utilised in large-scale projects made ANS an obvious choice as one of our main suppliers.

“The company will not only be helping to improve the lives of the people in Manchester, but it will also be helping us develop a blueprint for future projects and demonstrate the potential of smart cities to the rest of the world.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Samuel .