AMC Networks
A global media giant achieves an effortless move to hybrid working while embracing green technology
About AMC Networks
AMC Networks International (AMCNI), the global division of AMC Networks, delivers entertaining and acclaimed programming that reaches subscribers in more than 130 countries and territories and is responsible for highly acclaimed series including The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul. AMCNI consists of global brands, AMC and SundanceTV, as well as popular, locally recognised channels across various programming genres. In the UK, those channels include CBS Reality, Legend, Reality Xtra, Horror Xtra & Horror Xtra +1.
Challenges
At the start of 2021, its London office was looking to downsize and promote hybrid working as an outcome of the pandemic, this coincided with an up-and-coming expiry of its building lease which presented the ideal window of opportunity.
AMCNI had always kept IT infrastructure on premise in its two onsite data centres, so as part of this move, the company wanted to relocate the infrastructure into Tier 3 data centres, which would help lower real estate costs and become more environmentally friendly. With thirteen racks of equipment having to be relocated by the end of May and with minimal disruption to all corporate applications and media storage access, the timing window to make this move was business critical.Solution
As an existing long-term customer, AMCNI selected Exponential-e out of several data centre providers to relocate its equipment into two Tier 3 data centres, providing redundancy for its production and DR media content. The design included over a dozen racks, with additional space made to house prebuilt IBM racks that had to be relocated in their existing configuration. Two 10Gb links were delivered between each data centre to provide resilient, high-speed capacity for large media content, with 2Gb of internet breakout for external access.
Since the downsizing of offices, AMCNI has realised a saving of approximately £1.3m on real estate costs, as well as a reduction in energy consumption and energy footprint. Staff have become more productive and invested by having the flexibility to work from home and remote locations, improving the work/life balance. AMCNI has also improved its sustainability metrics, as IT infrastructure is now located in purpose-built facilities that operate to BREEAM standards and use renewal energy sources.
Solution benefits
- Secure, scalable hosting for high volumes of media content, with full redundancy
- A seamless transition to hybrid working and remote collaboration
- A significant reduction of £1.3 million in corporate real-estate costs
- Enhanced sustainability and increased use of renewable energy
The move to full-time hybrid working has been an excellent decision for us at all levels, but it wouldn't have been possible without the underlying technology infrastructure. We already knew and trusted Exponential-e, so they were the obvious choice to help us make the transition. Even with such a tight timeframe, they made sure the whole thing was completely seamless.
Nigel Proctor, International IT Director, AMCNI
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