The purpose of IT Cleaning in Universities is explained with examples connecting the past and present. We have used Cambridge, Manchester and Bath as examples.

Cambridge 1931

Educating a future great

Alan Turing considered by many to be the father of modern computing enters King’s College Cambridge as a Mathematics undergraduate.Turing’s concept that any single same machine could follow the same set of instructions to produce exactly the same result gives rise to the computer program. Turing would go on to be a primary driving force behind breaking the German naval signal codes at Bletchley Park during WWII. Latter work at Manchester looked at using computers to study Morphogenesis the biological theory of growth and form.

The physical side of computing like the hardware poses the eternal questions what do I need and when do I need to replace? Even extending the operational life by a year or two can save thousands. Regular cleaning extends the life of your IT Equipment.

Manchester 1957

State of the art computing

We’ve come a long way since this picture was taken of the ‘Baby’ at Manchester University in 1957 but the need to clean and maintain your systems remains. Manchester was at the forefront of technological innovation in the fifties and British Universities continue to cultivate the brightest of minds and technologies.

Today you will have made substantial financial investments by running multi-location, high availability IT Service Departments with the aim of providing your students with the technological environment for them to succeed. In our information driven society can you afford downtime for the sake of something as simple as regular cleaning?

Early Collaboration 1979

South Western Universities Regional Computer Centre – housed at Bath Campus

ICL 2980 network linking the computers at Bath, Bristol and Exeter Universities, University College Cardiff and the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology. Total cost £2.5mio, around half of the go-it-alone route for individual Universities. The network had 12 disc stores of 20 million characters each. Collaboration is a recurring theme in the educational sector but businesses are resistant because they perceive a risk in losing proprietary information.

One thing really stands out to me in this photo…imagine having to clean those tiles. This is the main problem with the do-it-yourself method, most University IT staff don’t want to do the cleaning. You can provide them with all the materials but over time it tends not to get done. General cleaning will cover floors, desks and windows but they don’t touch the IT equipment. The Capital service ensures that your IT cleaning gets done thoroughly and regularly our reputation depends on it.

1980’s

Tape Deck Data Centre

A piece of nostalgia for those of us old enough to remember having to leave the tape recorder load and save programs in your bedroom during the early 80’s. Today you will be using petabytes of data storage facilities linked to multiple mirrored sites and some solid state physical on site memory. The exponential growth rate in storing and managing your data will be a major consideration in all future architecture and hardware decisions.

Thankfully we don’t have to rely on magnetic tape any more. How are you saving and backing up your information? Data centres are unique places, secret bunkers, old converted warehouses and modern, purpose-built facilities. Getting in can be a challenge, keeping them clean is essential for optimal operation. We are specialist data centre and computer room cleaners for nearly 30 years.

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To find out more about Capital’s computer cleaning services, contact us on 0800 013 2182 or contact us here

The post University IT Services: Past and Present appeared first on Capital.

Research released in September 2014 from the American Society for Microbiology reveals just how rapidly germs and viruses spread.  You may be practicing good hygiene; however your colleagues could be putting you in danger spreading germs on to everyday office objects. The study from the ASM points out to the fact that germs spread within a matter of 2 to 4 hours. Samples from a doorknob, table-top, computer equipment and phone reveal that 40 to 60 percent of those who had been in contact with these items had picked up the germs in a matter of 2 to 4 hours. The researchers took samples from all the surfaces tested in the study and found between 60 to 100 fomites. Such a high amount can harbour many harmful organisms.

The study used a replica germ similar to the norovirus called bacteriophage MS-2 (safe for humans) to simulate the spread of flu. The study covers a number of work places such as office buildings, hotels, and health care facilities. Following these alarming results, a prevention/intervention test had to be carried out.

Flickr – Mariogv

Prevention phase – cleaning

During the intervention phase, cleaning was conducted using disinfectants (which contains quaternary ammonium compounds) and anti-bacterial solutions, often in the form of anti-bacterial wipes. These wipes were applied to the same surfaces and objects prior to the intervention.  The following results concluded that there was a reduction of fomites by 80% and that the concentration of viruses had reduced by 99% or more.

Conclusion

The nature of the workplace means viruses such a norovirus and flu can spread rapidly and that cleaning/intervention can significantly reduce the risks of illness. Hence the importance of computer cleaning and the role it plays in protecting employees up and down the country.

Source

Our tips and germs information:

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Let us know what you want cleaning and get a free no-obligation quote now. Call 0800 013 2182 or request a quote online.

The post Research: How quickly do germs spread? Germs & Sanitisation appeared first on Capital.

Not only are children more susceptible to catching flu and other bugs because their immune systems are not as strong as those of adults, but they’re also more likely to spread the disease.

Young children often don’t cover their mouth or use a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Nor do they tend to wash their hands properly or regularly enough. Those at nursery or school also come into contact with more people, including other children, teachers, parents and carers.

We’ve said before how bugs are most commonly spread by touching and children are very tactile with each other and their parents or carers, grandparents or siblings. So it’s no wonder they’re more exposed to and more likely to pass on flu to others.

Vaccination

The government recognises children play a big role in spreading flu and last year started giving the flu vaccine as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.

From September 2013, all children aged two and three were offered a new nasal spray flu vaccine, along with those aged 2-18 with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease. The nasal spray flu vaccine will be rolled out to all children aged 16 and under over time.

Taken by Jane Bain – Flickr

Flu data collected from schools

The launch of the nasal spray flu vaccine last year also coincided with flu data being collected from schools for the first time (winter 2013-14), as part of the UK’s annual Flusurvey. Scientists from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, which carries out the Flusurvey in partnership with the British Science Association, wanted to understand the role children play in catching and spreading flu.

Even in a ‘light’ flu season, such as the one we’ve just had in 2013-14, children tend to have the highest rates of flu. Flusurvey’s recent results show that the 0-18 age group had more instances of flu and that living with children, or being around large groups of them, increased people’s chances of getting flu.

Flusurvey researcher Dr Alma Adler, Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, speaking in December 2013, said: “Flu levels are still very low but where there are flu cases, we’re seeing most of them among under-18s. This is in line with what we already know from previous years about children being the ‘key spreaders’ of flu.”

Taken by Judy Baxter – Flickr

Prevent contamination

As well as the flu vaccination, washing hands regularly and keeping surfaces clean are the best ways of preventing the spread of flu among children. At Capital, we provide our IT cleaning services to many schools, colleges and universities across the UK. Professional IT cleaning minimises the health risks and likelihood of sickness absence from many bugs, not just flu. This is especially important in schools, where children are touching many different surfaces and coughing or sneezing over each other.

We can install antibacterial foam dispensers and provide regular antibacterial cleaning and sanitising of computer equipment in classrooms, improving not only health, but also longevity of equipment. We also offer an IT Health Pack for schools and will carry out a free site survey for you.

Written by Jane Rogers


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For more information on Capital’s computer cleaning services in schools, contact us on 0800 013 2182 or contact us here

The post Children are more likely to spread flu appeared first on Capital.

Majority of fresher will suffer from this.

Freshers’ flu is the name given to the illness contracted by up to 90% of new students in the first weeks at university. The illness is a combination of cold and flu like symptoms. The use of the term flu is still debateable, as signs show the symptoms are closely related to that of a severe cold, rather than all out flu. But freshers’ flu slides off the tongue better than freshers’ cold! However, it is still advisable to seek medical attention if symptoms escalate. See your campus doctor.

Photo taken by Tom Wills

Viral

New people:  Starting University is one of those life changing experiences, with it will come the highs and lows of university life. Meeting new people is definitely a high point. However in the initial weeks meeting new people means coming in contact with germs and illness your body may not be used to. With so many people or students from around the country and world all meeting in one place, it’s a perfect scenario for infection to spread quickly.

Photo taken by University of Law

Psychological

Stress:  A new experience will challenge you psychologically. Everyone will cope with new experiences differently. Moving out, meeting new people, learning new things and adapting to a new lifestyle can be stressful and impact your health. Just remember everyone is in the same boat. By the end of the first year you’ll be a changed person for the better. If it does all get a bit too much, speak to someone, a friend, university support or even your parents. Talking it through will definitely help.

Photo taken by Mrs.Alibeck

Social

Lifestyle change: As mentioned you’ll be socialising and meeting new people. Most of this will be taking place in social settings such as night clubs and house parties. This type of socialising will result in lack of sleep, poor diet and drinking alcohol. Additionally you won’t have a routine and will be putting your body through a lot. Even trips to the library or toilet can leave you exposed. Shared spaces mean exposure to germs and infection. Dirty computers, keyboards, toilet doors and book are all common hotspots. One thing you are in control of is your personal hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands.

A combination of viral, psychological and social changes all contribute to contracting freshers’ flu.

Symptoms

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Runny nose
• Change in mood

Prevention

• Routine: Keep certain activities regular whilst still enjoying the freedom of university life.
• Eat healthy and in moderation
• Limit alcohol and smoking
• Make a little time to exercise and get the blood pumping around the body
• Sleep and rest
• Look after personal hygiene
• Make sure your accommodation is clean
• Make sure computers are regularly cleaned in the library. Capital clean many of the country’s universities on a regular basis. Computer cleaning and keyboard cleaning keep students safe from illness.

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The post What is Freshers’ Flu? Causes, symptoms and prevention appeared first on Capital.