Communications systems integrator Amillan has recently completed the £100,000 ICT infrastructure installation project at James Hall Distribution Centre - the SPAR distribution company for the North of England.

Amillan, who partnered with Networks First for the project, worked closely with Bowkers, the retained M&E contractors, and designed and implemented the infrastructure based around the requirements of James Hall.

James Hall, which was founded in 1863 and serves over 450 SPAR stores, identified a need for an efficient and reliable ICT infrastructure to ensure deliveries and orders are completed on time, and high customer satisfaction maintained.

Amillan was selected as providing the best solution, and has subsequently installed two data centres on-site for resilience, with over 6km of fibre optical cable into the site in a high-uptime data network which serves the entire 35,000sq metre site on the new location.

Dominic Hall, IT director and member of the original Hall family, said: "Amillan worked closely with us from the planning stages, right through to the completion of the new build project. The technology installed means that we have the assurance of a reliable and well-maintained network and a back-up data centre to ensure that our customers are taken care of at all times."

The new build project, started last August, comprised a new build distribution centre a few miles from the centre's original location in Preston, where it had stood for over 100 years. The new construction features several energy-efficient technologies, such as the recycling of heat generated from the refrigerators to warm water for the under-floor heating used in the offices on-site. These technologies will reduce the company's carbon emissions and drive down costs for the business.

Darren Greally, ICT sales consultant at Amillan, said: "The working relationship with James Hall Distribution has been strong throughout, with Amillan providing support in the specification and planning stages, right through to the completion of the installation."

Richard Reid, strategic development director at Amillan, said: "With 25 years' experience, Amillan has expertise in the design and implementation of ICT infrastructure and, based on strong credentials from major clients, has the proven ability to deliver. The project at James Hall Distribution Centre demonstrates the capability of Amillan in terms of design, project management and execution."