06 March 2025

Hitachi Vantara has announced its collaboration with Manor Lodge School in Hertfordshire, UK, to modernise the school’s IT infrastructure using the Virtual Storage Platform (VSP), aiming to eliminate downtime and enhance educational delivery.

The initiative follows a detailed evaluation process, in which Manor Lodge selected the VSP system, implemented by Qual and TD SYNNEX, to address the persistent IT outages that had been disrupting school operations.

“Our previous outdated IT system at Manor Lodge caused bi-weekly outages, disrupting lessons for more than one hour at a time and impacting our teachers, students, and administrators alike,” said Matthew Clackett, IT and Digital Services Manager at Manor Lodge School.

With the VSP installed, these disruptions have been eliminated, ensuring 100% data availability and a seamless learning experience, according to a statement from the school.

“With the new infrastructure from Hitachi Vantara, our IT system just works. Our teachers are now excited to integrate technology into lessons, confident that it will perform flawlessly. This transformation empowers us to be more ambitious in enhancing learning outcomes,” said Clackett.

This infrastructure not only supports daily operations but also enables the integration of advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and 3D modelling into the school’s curriculum.

“Manor Lodge’s concerns reflect a larger issue affecting schools and organisations striving to meet evolving educational and technological demands. Manor Lodge School’s success highlights how reliable, modern solutions like VSP can empower institutions to eliminate downtime, improve security, and focus on delivering exceptional learning outcomes. By investing in resilient IT infrastructure, schools can confidently embrace digital transformation and future-proof their operations,” said Octavian Tanase, Chief Product Officer at Hitachi Vantara.

The implementation of VSP at Manor Lodge has not only addressed the immediate concern of frequent outages but has also enhanced IT efficiency, allowing the school’s IT team to focus on strategic projects rather than constant maintenance. This shift enables the incorporation of new technologies like coding, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) into the learning process, thus enriching the educational experience for students.

Complementing these developments is an emphasis on improved cybersecurity measures. Modern security features integrated into the VSP ensure that sensitive information, including student records, is protected against potential cyber threats, complying with evolving data protection regulations.