Red Oak Consulting

Managed Services HPC & Cloud Computing

Red Oak Consulting offers highly skilled HPC Cloud support. Our team of dedicated HPC & Cloud experts are on hand to handle user issues, queries and concerns. We guarantee and execute demonstrable quality, for all our customers. Our experts offer HPC & Cloud IT support Mon-Fri 0800 to 1800.

Features

• Cloud HPC Infrastructure Support including Incident Management
• Weekly / Monthly Reporting, Access to a self-help knowledge base
• Install user applications, Configure s/w runtime environments
• Configuration, Maintenance, Optimisation of Cloud HPC Workflows
• Installation of bespoke packages including Cluster Maintenance/Upgrades
• Maintenance middleware MPI, Compilers
• Replicate User Experience with Sys Admin
• Compiling software and issue support and Cluster Maintenance / Upgrades
• Image Managing and Provisioning
• Standard workload support, standard software support

Benefits

• Reduces business risk and cost
• Increases business productivity and delivers increased agility
• Reduces down time, queuing time and increases performance
• Delivers industry leading expertise in a very niche sector
• Ability to handle more complex research and workflows
• Delivers proactive support designed to be fast, efficient and effective
• Mitigates internal knowledge barriers and issues
• Leading independent advice working directly for the business
• Removes internal headcount costs and potential issues
• Various options to meet your support requirements, min 3 month

£19,000.00 a unit a quarter

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at vicki.lockhart@redoakconsulting.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

541327843060681

Contact

VickiLockhart
07718655024
vicki.lockhart@redoakconsulting.co.uk

Planning

• Planning service: Yes
• How the planning service works: Our consultants work with customers to obtain a unified organisational outlook. We gather user requirements through proactive user, researcher and stakeholder engagements which is completed completed through either one to one engagements or workshops. Our specialists will get to understand all the various workload applications being used, including any potential issues. Once the critical information is obtained and understood we design and build a solution to meet expectations and objectives of the organisation, now and future. We work with the customer to ensure a successful roll out. We mutually agree an implementation plan, detailing all actions, roles and responsibilities along with timelines for execution. We create a communication plan, ensuring all areas of the organisation including users, are kept notified of developments, the rationale as to why and the benefits they will receive once the new solution is implemented. Our team of experts hold unrivalled expertise on all HPC cloud software services and applications. We go further, and also offer training, knowledge transfer to ease the roll out and give that element of reassurance to all. Our Managed Support team are on hand to continue with on-going support for all users through our Managed Service Support programme, once live.
• Planning service works with specific services: No

Training

• Training service provided: Yes
• How the training service works: For all Cloud projects Red Oak Consulting conducts Training (be it one on one or as a team), workshops, and knowledge transfer. It is vital that at the end of the project the business has acquired the necessary internal knowledge to be able to stand on its own feet and move forward. Therefore our training focuses on ensuring all the processes and procedures are documented, all scripts are appropriately transitioned, and appropriate training for the business User community and IT staff, if required, is undertaken. Our approach is not prescriptive and the training can be made as light touch or expansive as the business requires. We work in consultation with the business to agree a training strategy and execute a training plan.; It is vital that a fully sanctioned roll out plan for implementation and usage of cloud is created, managed, monitored, and reported on. It is also critical that the communication around the change, including the significant benefits the new cloud functionality can offer, is also communicated effectively. We work closely with the relevant internal communications department to create a communication plan. We will also ensure all documentation created is current and accurate with updates following the project.
• Training is tied to specific services: No

Setup and migration

• Setup or migration service available: Yes
• How the setup or migration service works: Red Oak Consulting leads the way in Cloud migration, having completed more than 45 Cloud HPC projects. We are ISO27001 and ISO9001 accredited. We use our formal business approach to all projects. A cloud migration project consists of several tasks which can be summarised as follows:; Requirements Capture, Scoping of Requirements:; Task 1 Confirms the requirements and scope for the production ready system from across the business including users, researchers, stakeholders, divisions.; Task 2: Is the creation of a low-level design document (LLD) which requires senior stakeholder approval before moving on to the next task. ; Design and Build; Task 3: Develops the architectural design and infrastructure for the production system.; Task 4: Storage Requirements, Scoping & technical design ; This includes the creation of a HLD document; Task 5: Conducts User Testing and full Acceptance Testing of the new platform.; Task 6: Migration of applications over to the new production ready Cloud platform.; Knowledge Transfer, Implementation, Communication Planning ; Task 7:Provides for documentation, training, and knowledge transfer.; Task 8: Provides support and assistance in the delivery of the new HPC service.; Our support can be on-going through our Managed Services Support offering after the migration has been completed.
• Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services: Yes
• List of supported services:
  • Microsoft Azure - all HPC software, solutions & services
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) - all HPC solutions & services
  • Google - all HPC software, solutions & services
  • All HPC Workloads, Applications, Software (Standard and Non Standard)
  • Cloud Storage solutions, options and cost
  • Cloud Benchmarking, testing performance, cost and agility
  • Cloud Optimisation ensuring on-going quality and performance
  • TCO Modelling (Total Cost of Ownership) and Comparison
  • Cloud comparison and viability studies
  • Cloud Proof of Concept, Pilot, Demonstrator, Production Systems

Quality assurance and performance testing

• Quality assurance and performance testing service: Yes
• How the quality assurance and performance testing works: Red Oak Consulting is committed to quality. We provide high-quality, specialist HPC and cloud consulting and services, focused on customer satisfaction so that we deliver on customer expectations. To achieve this, Red Oak Consulting fully implements our documented Quality Management System meeting the requirements of the current ISO 9001. This covers all aspects of the business including all processes, ; procedures and the provision of skilled and knowledgeable consultants. Our service delivery is monitored and managed through our internal quality assurance programme. The suitability of this Quality Policy, objectives and the Quality Management System is regularly reviewed as part of a continuous improvement process.; Our support team comprises of highly skilled HPC specialists who have taken their deep technical passion and desire to help people to the forefront of technical support. We ensure all our customers have a seamless route to HPC support. As a business we guarantee fast, efficient, highly effective solution making decisions.; To give our customers that extra assurance our HPC Managed Support team have all completed the ITIL Foundation course. Working as part of the ITIL framework means our experts follow and execute the most widely adopted guidance on IT service management (ITSM) in the world.

Security testing

• Security services: No

Ongoing support

• Ongoing support service: Yes
• Types of service supported:
  • Buyer hosting or software
  • Hosting or software provided by a third-party organisation
• How the support service works: Red Oak Consulting offers fully managed HPC Cloud support, through our dedicated team of HPC & Cloud experts. Based from our Cheltenham office, we offer support from 0800 to 1800 hours Monday to Friday. Our HPC Managed Support team have all completed the ITIL Foundation course. Working as part of the ITIL framework means our experts follow and execute the most widely adopted guidance on IT service management (ITSM) in the world. Our HPC and Cloud certified support team all have extensive experience either as users, engineers, solution architects, or software support agents. Our service fulfils technical support in the form of:; Cloud HPC Infrastructure Support ; Incident Management: Including HPC scheduler & queue issues, ; HPC Cluster issues (VMs & Jobs) ; Weekly / Monthly Reporting; Access to a self-help knowledge base ; Standard Workload & Software Support ; Automated Installation Package Management ; Maintenance of cloud HPC Workloads ; Configuration of cloud HPC Workloads ; Maintenance middleware (MPI, Compilers, etc) ; Deployment of new cloud HPC Workloads ; Install user applications (patches, releases) ; Configure s/w runtime environments ; Installation of bespoke packages ; Compiling software / Issues ; Replicate User Experience with Sys Admin ; Cluster Maintenance/Upgrades ; Image management and provisioning ; Problem Management – Cloud Provider; Memory Issues; Cost Management; Workload Optimisation

Service scope

• Service constraints: We operate a very customer focused, agile organisation, offering best in class advice on all matters HPC and Cloud Computing. Our consultants are based in the UK and we promote a hybrid approach to our teams working location. Our consultants are able to travel, be it within the UK or an on international basis. Our Managed HPC Cloud Support is offered remotely. If a site visit is required then this would fall within the parameters of the consultancy team, who would visit on-site to conduct the requested task. Working hours are Monday - Friday ex bank holidays 0900 - 1730.

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: Red Oak recognises the importance of fast, effective and efficient response in providing HPC Managed Cloud Support. Our aim is to answer questions as quickly as possible. Contacting our support team is through our help desk ticketing portal which offers total transparency to users. Access is also available via email. We offer various service level agreements on speed of response to resolution, ranging from one to four hours, all of which are dependant on the severity of the issue. ; Our service is operational from Monday to Friday only excluding bank holidays. Hours of operation are from 0800 to 1800 hours.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: None or don’t know
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: No
• Support levels: We recognise the level of support required will vary. We have created an approach reflecting the varying degrees of support dependant on a customers unique requirements.; ; HPC Sys Admin Support: incident management, including ticket-based support, and troubleshooting. Proactive support: including monitoring, patching & updates, system & usage reporting, and ticket analysis.; Cost & Usage Analysis; Business Oriented Reporting; ; We also offer a fully outsourced support function which will take care of all the elements of running a HPC cluster in the cloud, including but not limited to bespoke packages, imagining and maintenance.; ; To summarises the areas of support:; HPC User Access Management & Support ; Cloud HPC Infrastructure Support ; Incident Management ; Reporting ; Access to a self-help knowledge base ; Standard Workload & Software Support ; Automated Installation Package Management; Maintenance & configuration of cloud HPC Workloads ; Maintenance middleware ; Deployment of new cloud HPC Workloads ; Install user applications ; Configure s/w runtime environments ; Installation of bespoke packages ; Compiling software / Issues ; Replicate User Experience with Sys Admin ; Cluster Maintenance/Upgrades ; Image management, provisioning & memory Issues; RSE support; Optimisation of workload application(s); Cost Management; ; Price is POA ; ; Dedicated HPC Specialists fulfil this managed HPC Cloud support service with oversight from our Managing Consultant.

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Security Clearance (SC)

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: BSI
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 28/10/2021
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Everything in the business is covered by our ISO 27001 certification. There are no exclusions.
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Other security certifications: No

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Equal opportunity

  Fighting climate change

  Red Oak’s Environmental Policy aims to demonstrate commitment to protecting the environment, to the principles of sustainability and to incorporation of environmental principles into company operations wherever possible. We also aim to support and influence the communities of which we are a part in any way that we are able as a small business.; ; It is our intention to lead by example through minimising negative environmental impact and promoting positive impacts and communicating this to our stakeholders.; This policy aims to:; ; · Encourage stakeholders to actively engage in sustainable initiatives, including those initiated by our office landlord and national schemes such as Fairtrade.; ; · Communicate the environmental policy and its aims to stakeholders.; ; · Engage with employees to understand their needs in order to provide a healthy and comfortable working environment.; ; · Comply with relevant environmental legislation and other environmental requirements.; ; · Promote improvement in environmental awareness and performance through clear messaging and targets.; ; · Reduce energy consumption and resource use, particularly by optimum heat settings, low energy lighting, printing double-sided whenever possible.; ; · Manage waste generated from business operations according to the principles of reduction, re-use and recycling, especially paper and toner cartridges.; ; · Encourage stakeholders to adopt sustainable travel methods, such as cycling, car share etc.; ; · Require employees to use public transport for business travel wherever reasonably possible.; ; · Promote a purchasing policy which considers environmental impacts and performance, particularly for company car purchases or leases.

  Equal opportunity

  Red Oak Consulting is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. We want our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. We also, while providing our services, commit to preventing unlawful discrimination against customers or the public.; ; We Commit to:; ; encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace as they are good practice and make business sense. ; ; creating a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination; promote dignity and respect for all, where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued. ; ; training all employees about their rights and responsibilities under the Equality Policy. Responsibilities include staff conducting themselves to help the company provide equal opportunities in employment and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination ; ; taking seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by fellow employees, customers, suppliers, visitors or others in the course of our work activities. ; ; making opportunities for training, development and progress available to all staff, to help and encourage development of their full potential, so their talents and resources can be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the company. ; ; making decisions concerning staff based on merit (apart from in any necessary and limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act). ; ; reviewing employment practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness, and updating them and the policy to take account of changes in the law. ; ; taking regard of the make-up of the workforce regarding age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or belief and disability in encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion and in meeting the aims and commitments set out in this policy.

Pricing

• Price: £19,000.00 a unit a quarter
• Discount for educational organisations: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at vicki.lockhart@redoakconsulting.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.