If I remember correctly, the server is site is based around a SVN set up so they can pull down data (including the database?) in a few clicks. Meaning they could replicate the live site on a new server without much hassle. I may be completely off, but I was planning a similar SVN based set up for my own site.
I have noticed a marked improvement. Before it was bordering on unusable on a 100mbit connection (in London) but now it is once again a pleasure to browse.