Advantex wins over £1m of new work

Houghton-le-Spring Advantex Network Solutions Ltd has won £1 million in new orders as demand for its range of integrated IT and telecoms’ services increases.

A £250,000 contract from main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine has been won to supply and install new network infrastructure and wireless systems at Nissan’s battery plant being built at Washington, Tyne & Wear.

The work was won in the face of stiff competition because of the quality management procedures, project management skills and expertise Advantex bring to ensure that the work will be completed within the nine month timeframe.

At the former West Road Fire Station on the Westgate Road, the company is working closely with Centre West and Groundworks on designing and delivering an advanced IT and Communications system in a six figure contract for The Beacon project.

The site is being redeveloped into a new community centre which will also accommodate business start-up and incubator units. Although the initial work is for network infrastructure, Advantex is advising on the design and then going on to implement the Mitel 3300 MXe IP phone system, Cisco managed Wireless systems, IT services and Audio Visual systems.

Elsewhere, the company is working closely with Middlesbrough Council’s design services’ team to develop and deliver a tailor made Internet Protocol (IP) network system for four local premises in a £200,000 investment initiative.

Berwick Hills, Beachwood and Green Lane Schools along with Customs House, the site of Middlesbrough’s new Myplace youth facility, are being kitted out with new IP based telephone systems, IP Surveillance cameras, wireless and high speed network cabling systems as part of a new network infrastructure which will deliver improved communications, security and data services for pupils and teaching staff.

As part of these systems, Advantex will also be installing state of the art Axis cameras, including the new Axis-M5014 and the Axis-M3114-VE

The work follows installations at other education facilities including Gateshead College, Aireville School, Richard Rose Academy and Bath Spa University in conjunction with BTiNet.

Also on Teesside, a major contract has been won to supply a secure network infrastructure and associated services including IP Telephone systems, IP Surveillance cameras and audio visual and for the Innovation Accelerator Incubator, a 10,000 square foot facility incorporating specialist laboratories and office space at The Wilton Centre.

Dr Richard Short, Wilton Centre engineering manager, said Advantex integrated IT and Communications solution will meet the needs of users while delivering long term financial and infrastructure upgrade benefits.
“They have the broad IT and Telecoms experience needed to deliver a cost effective solution that’s quick to install and will provide maximum user flexibility and peace-of-mind over many years.”

Whilst in North Yorkshire they have secured a project to implement a network surveillance and door access control system for Foremost School.

The school, which was formally a Royal Navy establishment, will become a community special school for boys with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD).

The site will have provision for science, art, food technology, design technology, music and drama, a library, 40 single-pupil bedrooms, dining and assembly rooms and a four-court sports hall.

Advantex will be installing state of the art IP Surveillance and Door Access Control systems to provide a secure environment to staff, visitors and pupils.

Advantex was established in 2002 and currently employs over 30 people at its Houghton-le-Spring site. It achieved the prestigious ISO9001/2000 industry quality mark within its first year of trading and currently holds the ISO9001/2008 quality mark.

Director of Sales and Marketing Stephen O’Connell said demand for its products and services had remained strong despite the tough trading conditions experienced in the last couple of years.

“Because we offer comprehensive IT and Communications systems and after sales support right from the cabling through to hardware maintenance and savings on phone call costs, we are able to offer customers a complete single source package which combines to deliver flexibility, added value and cost savings benefits.”

Other customers of Advantex include Rockcliffe Hotel and Golf Course, furniture giant SCS, Caterpillar Articulated Trucks, BT and Sunderland City Council.