The German Weather Service’s data center in Offenbach is now equipped with a Knürr complete solution

Approximately 90,000 forecasts and some 20,000 weather and storm warnings are made each year by the Deutsche Wetterdienst – DWD (German Weather Service) in Offenbach. A structured control station from which the individual processes can be controlled and regulated is required to cope with these enormous data volumes. Knürr Technical Furniture, which has already been developing, building and producing ergonomically designed solutions for control rooms for more than 20 years, prescribes precisely such an efficient arrangement for control stations.

A diverse range of measuring technologies and systems, complex communication-related systems for data transfer and IT components ranging from workstation equipment through to high-performance data centers must be monitored and controlled in the DWD’s head office. “Our control station is the hub and linchpin when it comes to the preparation and provision of meteorological measurement and monitoring data. An efficient and highly harmonized IT infrastructure is indispensable in delivering reliable country-wide forecasts and analyses,” explains Hans Mayr, Equipment Manager of the DWD in Offenbach.
Distributed until just recently over three different buildings, since August 2008 the various departments have been set up in the new building on approximately 22,000 square meters in a perfectly coordinated spatial concept. 350 square meters were planned for the data center’s control station. In addition to workstation systems for shift managers, work preparation and documentation, the modern control station also includes the Deutsche Meteorologische Rechenzentrum – DMRZ (German Meteorological Data Center) and the Meteorologische Telekommunikationssystem Offenbach – MTSO (Meteorological Telecommunications System in Offenbach).
“A compact arrangement of our 70 monitors and sufficient flexibility and legroom were critical factors in designing the new room, so that the individual work processes can run smoothly,” Mr. Mayr goes on to illustrate some of the criteria that determined the selection of a competent partner.
Knürr proved itself to be an ideal partner for the DWD’s control station in this respect, and impressively came through with an efficient complete solution.
Every workstation can integrate up to 48 monitors, while including ergonomic aspects in the consideration. The CiCon® systems from Knürr’s standard range really raise eyebrows with their radial setup. Ideal viewing and a back-friendly sitting posture are consequently ensured. “The high number of monitors, however, requires an absolute flood of cables, but Knürr had no problem in competently controlling this with its intelligent cable management,” emphasizes the project responsible manager. The workstation systems also provide flexible handling and enable future-proof expansions of the current spatial concept with modular structures. Mobile drawer units, sideboards, standing consoles and ergonomically adjusted chairs perfectly compliment the new interior of the data center control station in the DWD head office, and also make a valuable contribution to the attractive overall look.
“Knürr provided us with a three-month trial setup in the preliminary stage of the restructuring work. In combination with the option of looking at a reference project, this convinced us of the company's competence,” Mr. Mayr adds in explaining the decision to opt for Knürr, and continues: “The acceptance of the planning service, elaboration of a harmonious spatial concept for housing the various types of workstation and the installation of the system furniture resulted in the implementation of an impressive all-inclusive solution, that we were more than happy with.”
Hans Mayr’s conclusion on the optimized work situation in the modernized control station speaks for itself: “With this efficient and flexible solution we’re certainly going to be optimally supplied for years to come.”