Consolidation of resources
The ICT environment of the Ministry of Finance is scat- tered in many locations in Poland, and it is extremely varied both in terms of infrastructure and in terms of efficiency and security. The construction of the Data Processing Center (DPC) in Radom has therefore become one of the main themes of the “Consolidation and Centralization of Customs and Tax Systems” (C&C) project, implemented by the Ministry of Finance since 2007. The entire large project is to cost PLN 167m, and its greater part (over PLN 141m) is financed from the EU funds as part of the Innovative Economy Operational Program.
The consolidation of resources will allow standardizing and lowering the cost of owning infrastructure (TCO), and modernizing the existing solutions and introducing new ones that provide electronic public services to clients representing Polish fiscal and customs administration.
Paweł Oracz
Head of the IT Department and Project Leader representing the Ministry of Finance
The Ministry of Finance has selected a General Designer of the DPC in an open competition. The competition was won by a team composed of specialists from Asseco Poland S.A. and architects from the Architekci Dawidczyk & Partnerzy studio. The project was led and coordinated by specialists from the Buildings and Data Centers Automation Function. The value of works performed by Asseco Poland S.A. totals PLN 2.2m net.
It certainly is a distinction, bearing in mind a very demanding investor, namely the Ministry of Finance, and a jury composed of Poland’s leading architects. Owing to many years’ experience, we have prepared a cutting edge project, in terms of both technology and architecture, which provided for the rank, nature and security of the facility. Another element that contributed to our victory to a significant degree were good opinions we collected from the companies for whom we had prepared designs and/or built data centers.
Bożena Bolek
head of the project, representing Asseco Poland S.A.
Project works performed by Asseco Poland S.A. included spatial, functional, construction and installation solutions for a building with net area of over 2 600 sq m, and a project for developing the area of the parcel together with landscape architecture. Project documentation (for the construction design, working plans and specifications, bill of quantities), investment cost estimate, technical specification for the performance and acceptance of construction works has been prepared. As a General Designer, Asseco Poland S.A. carried out project architect’s supervision during the construction.
In the technical part, the project included: power systems, precision air-conditioning, air-conditioning and ventilation, structured cabling, low-voltage installations (access control, break-in and assault alarm control system, CCTV, fire safety, monitoring and surveillance systems), gas extinguishing systems, sanitary installations. The scope of the project also covered back-up facilities: a reception with entrance gate and a utility building. Specialists of the Buildings and Data Centers Automation Function also designed parcel development – roads, car parks and green areas – and prepared designs for networks and connection points. One of the conditions of the architectural and construction competition was to keep functional division between the facility’s technical and administration/office part. The Data Center team treated it literally and offered to locate both parts in two separate buildings linked with a skywalk and a roofed ramp.
The idea of two buildings is functional. It allowed us to retain the specific character of materials and installations together with keeping high level of security in terms of controlling access to individual parts of the building.
Bożena Bolek
head of the project, representing Asseco Poland S.A.
On both parts of the building, siding in the form of gray fiber cement boards fastened against insulated reinforced concrete walls has been applied. The technical building has additionally been covered with a layer of platform gratings that creates a barrier protecting the building from both statics and mechanical fracture. Varied elevations emphasize the essence of the architectural concept. The office building is glazed near the entrance and office rooms, and elevations in that part are decorated with dark wood-colored shutters. The entire facility looks impressive due to the backlight system – also in the night.
The Ministry of Finance’s Data Processing Center has been adapted to the storage and processing of confidential data, which is why a server room, designed in a special technology (“room in a room”), is an essential element here.
Good cooperation
With regard to the multitude of themes in the “Consoli- dation and Centralization of Customs and Tax Systems” project, good working plans and specifications for the DPC were a condition for the success of the entire undertaking, for whom the construction of the DPC was a preliminary stage. The Ministry of Finance therefore put pressure upon timeliness. At the stage of facility construction, the cooperation with the Investor and with the General Contractor – a consortium of Skanska and Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil – was going fine, which made it possible to conclude the construction of the DPC within 18 months.
This dynamically run project, finished as set out in the plans, proves that despite additional conditions and procedures, it is possible to complete tasks in administration on time.
Paweł Oracz
Head of the IT Department and Project Leader representing the Ministry of Finance
The Data Processing Center built in Radom will be the Ministry’s main facility of that type. An alternate center will function in two places – in Warsaw and Łódź. The Ministry of Finance has taken care that the investment responds to its needs for many years.
The Center is a surplus facility in relation to the Ministry of Finance’s existing IT infrastructure. Moreover, in the project we have provided for a possibility to considerably expand the center. The facility we designed may be multiplied – even three similar facilities may be built on the parcel.
Bożena Bolek
head of the project, representing Asseco Poland S.A.
The DPC is managed by a unit created by the Minister of Finance for that purpose.
