Vantage Data Centers unveils 2nd London campus, with art installation

Vantage Data Centers, a global leader in hyperscale data solutions, has announced the grand opening of its second London data centre, LHR2, located in the bustling district of Park Royal. Set to open by the end of September, this state-of-the-art facility covers 194,000 square feet and will provide a significant boost to the local economy with a £250 million investment.

This opening coincides with the renowned London Design Festival, celebrated from September 13-21, marking the occasion in a unique manner. The data centre boasts one of Europe's largest permanent public art installations. titled 11 Million Dots, this ambitious project not only commemorates Park Royal's industrial heritage but also celebrates its vibrant evolution.

In collaboration with the Park Royal Design District and London-based art consultancy Loom, local artist Rafael El Baz created this intricate installation. El Baz transformed ambient sounds, machinery hums, and 120 interviews with locals into binary codes and audio waveforms, resulting in the visually stunning six-story facade. The art mimics the complexity of microchips and urban landscapes, symbolising a harmonious blend of past and present.

Reflecting Vantage's commitment to sustainability, the LHR2 campus has met the rigorous standards of BREEAM Excellent, incorporating features like air and water source heat pumps. The facility proudly adheres to the Urban Greening Factor and has plans to integrate with the local district heating network to utilise waste heat, ensuring a low power usage effectiveness (PUE).

David Howson, President for EMEA at Vantage Data Centers, expressed great enthusiasm for the project. Our unrivalled ability to scale rapidly, as evidenced by the launch of our second campus in London, is helping our global hyperscale customers seize the massive opportunities made possible with cloud computing and AI

Rafael El Baz, reflecting on the fusion of art and architecture, remarked that the project redefined conventional perceptions of data centres. The goal was to transform these typically inconspicuous structures into immersive cultural landmarks that document the local community's essence.

The LHR2 site joins another Vantage location in London, LHR1 in North Acton, which features two facilities covering 430,000 square feet. Vantage is also expanding its reach in Cardiff with the CWL1 campus, one of Europe's largest. Once fully operational, these three UK campuses will collectively deliver 223MW of IT capacity, spanning over 2.6 million square feet.

Atman Data Center Warsaw-3 - the first investment of its kind in the CEE region

Atman WAW-3 AI-Ready Campus – Project Overview

Driving Forces Behind the Project:

• Rapid growth in AI workloads and high-power IT demand.
• Limited IT space in existing Atman data centers, requiring expansion.
• Facility flexibility to support multiple cooling solutions: air cooling, rear door heat exchange, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, and immersion cooling.
• Enhanced geo-redundancy with several facilities in Warsaw and surrounding areas.
• Full utilization of Atman’s optical network and Thinx IX traffic exchange to deliver carrier-class connectivity.
• WAW-3 is the first investment of its kind in the CEE region, effectively doubling Poland’s colocation capacity.

Innovative Solutions & Standout Features:

• Strategic Location: 19,000 m² site in Duchnice, 30 km from Warsaw, enabling three buildings with a guaranteed 43 MW IT power supply.
• Architecture: All power modules outside server rooms to maximize IT space.
• AI-Ready Campus Specifications:
  • 43.2 MW IT capacity across three sites
  • 19,000 m² IT space supporting nearly 50,000 servers
  • Each building: 14.4 MW capacity, 12 data halls of 527 m² each, over two floors
  • Civil works: 16,000 m³ soil removed, 16,200 m³ concrete poured, 1,360 tons of steel laid
  • Electrical & network cabling: 60 km of power cables, 35 km LAN cables, 40 km electrical & telecom pipes
  • Cooling: 65,000 liters glycol, 34,000-liter cooling tank, generator with 561 liters fuel capacity
• Standards & Certification: EN 50600 (Class 3) and TIA-942 (Rated 3); eligible for certification.
• Security & Logistics: Separate zones for each building, full logistics infrastructure including truck access, parking, and warehouses.
• SCADA Monitoring: Three independent SCADA systems monitoring 689,226 variables, using Schneider Ecostruxure Power Operation software with 323 Modicon controllers.
• Network Redundancy: Top-class switches connected via dual independent cores and redundant optical paths.

Major Challenges & Solutions:

• Rapid construction & connectivity: Short timeline for first building completion required additional telecom ducts and low-latency network integration.
• Financing: Largest syndicated loan in Poland for data center expansion, supported by six major financial institutions.
• Post-pandemic supply chains: All critical systems and equipment delivered and installed on schedule despite global supply disruptions.

Benefits Realized:

• Substantial high-power space for customers in Poland and the CEE region.
• Dedicated office space integrated for customer use.
• Strong ecological focus: ultra-low water consumption equivalent to that of 100 households per year.
• Full capability to utilize and deliver waste heat from the data center.

24/7 Renewable Power Integration for nLighten’s Madrid Edge Data Centre Portfolio via Strategic PPA with Shell Spain

nLighten has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and supply deal with Shell Spain, which began on April 1, 2025. This collaboration will allow nLighten’s edge data center in Madrid, to be powered by Shell’s solar and wind portfolio in Spain, prioritising solar generation. The agreement goes beyond traditional renewable energy contracts by providing nLighten with transparency into the actual renewable energy supply received, rather than relying solely on financial credits such as Guarantees of Origin (GoOs).

Through this agreement, Shell will supply renewable capacity to nLighten, supporting the data center’s efforts to optimise its Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) score, while maintaining the flexibility to scale based on real-time supply and demand. During periods of lower renewable generation, Shell will manage the remaining energy supply to ensure uninterrupted operations. This approach guarantees energy reliability, while reinforcing nLighten's commitment to a more sustainable digital infrastructure

This agreement is a game-changer for how data centers in Spain – and beyond – can be powered by renewables, said Chad McCarthy, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of nLighten. By securing direct access to solar and wind energy, we’re not just reducing our carbon footprint but proving that sustainability and business performance go hand in hand. This supply agreement with Shell is important in building a resilient and future-proof energy model for digital infrastructure.

In addition to environmental benefits, this agreement highlights the economic advantages of renewable energy integration. As energy markets continue to evolve, the ability to integrate renewables into data center operations positions nLighten at the forefront of both sustainability and cost-efficiency efforts

We are excited to partner with nLighten to advance the integration of renewable energy in data centers, says Óscar Fernández, Shell Spain Country Chair. By integrating lower-carbon sources into the grid, providing flexibility options and offering tailored energy solutions, we can support the growing demands of data centers. Strategic collaborations between digital infrastructure companies and energy suppliers allows to leverage each other's strengths, helping scale solutions quickly and effectively to ensure a sustainable energy supply.

This partnership is a significant step in nLighten’s journey to redefine the energy model for European data centers. By collaborating with industry leaders like Shell, nLighten demonstrates the industry’s continuous transition to a cleaner energy model.

Vantage Data Centers announces largest $25 Billion mega-campus investment in Texas

Vantage Data Centers, a prominent global player in hyperscale data centres, has unveiled its most significant investment yet. $25 billion will be channelled into the creation of a vast 1.4GW data centre campus named Frontier in Shackelford County, Texas. This project is set to drive AI innovations and boost employment by creating over 5,000 jobs during its construction and operational phases.

• Spanning an impressive 1,200 acres, the Frontier campus will be the crown jewel in Vantage's global portfolio.
• The site will boast 10 cutting-edge data centres covering a total of 3.7 million square feet.
• These facilities will have the capability to accommodate ultra high-density racks of 250kW .
• To meet the advancing demands of AI deployments, the campus will incorporate liquid cooling technology to effectively manage next-generation GPU loads.
• Construction is already underway, with the initial building anticipated to be ready in the latter half of 2026.

• The Frontier campus is designed with sustainability at its core, adhering to Vantage’s sustainable by design blueprint.
• It will prioritise conservation efforts, utilising a highly efficient closed-loop chiller system that demands minimal water consumption, saving billions of gallons each year.
• Vantage is also in the process of securing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for Frontier.

Strategically positioned in Texas, Vantage’s Frontier campus aims to meet the escalating requirements of AI providers. It represents a significant economic boon for the state, delivering on Vantage’s commitment to establishing robust digital infrastructure to support AI solutions.

“...the launch of our Frontier campus with 1.4GW of GPU compute capacity marks a watershed moment for Vantage as we deliver on our promise to meet the unprecedented requirements of our customers,” said Dana Adams, president of North America, at Vantage Data Centers.

“Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes innovation and technology,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Vantage Data Centers’ $25 billion investment to build a new data centre campus will help create thousands of good-paying jobs for Texans and bring revenue to the local and state economies. Partnering with job-creating and innovative businesses like Vantage, Texas will continue to be a national and global leader in this emerging frontier.”

• Beyond its technological ambitions, Vantage is dedicated to fostering community partnerships.
• Collaborating with general contractors, trade partners, local organisations, and educational institutions, the company plans to create a shared value throughout Texas.
• This commitment encompasses financial contributions to local charities, annual college scholarships for Shackelford County students, and an emphasis on local hiring accompanied by extensive training programmes.

This monumental Texas initiative follows Vantage's substantial $3 billion July investment in the development of a 224MW campus in Storey County, Nevada.

From Cyber Campus to Colocation Powerhouse

The driving force behind this colocation upgrade project was TECfusions’ need to prove that adaptive reuse could be a repeatable, strategic answer to AI driven demand, not just a one off solution for a single tenant.

As power dense AI and GPU workloads surge, traditional greenfield development cycles are fundamentally misaligned with how fast AI and Neocloud tenants need usable capacity.

By targeting a former cybersecurity campus in Tucson, TECfusions set out to demonstrate that a legacy technology site could be systematically transformed into a high density, AMD optimized colocation platform in a fraction of the usual time, while preserving capital, reducing embodied carbon, and de risking entitlement and interconnection risk, similar to our 2024 conversion of a chocolate factory in Clarksville, VA into a state-of-the-art data center.

The solution was an end to end adaptive reuse strategy built around a standardized, high density reference design that TECfusions can now replicate across markets.

Instead of starting from a blank slate, we retained the core structure and campus layout, then re engineered the power and cooling architecture around direct liquid to chip cooling and extreme rack densities, optimized for AMD accelerators.

This approach allowed TECfusions to deliver 14.4 MW of GPU capacity in approximately 4 months and support what became the largest single site AMD deployment in North America at the time.

Crucially, the technical blueprint and delivery model are owned and operated by TECfusions as the provider, meaning the same colocation building block is now being applied to New Kensington and future sites, rather than existing as a bespoke, tenant specific build.

Executing this as an upgrade project within an existing campus came with significant challenges. We had to thread new high capacity electrical, mechanical, and liquid cooling systems through an inherited structure that was never designed for multi hundred kilowatt racks, while maintaining rigorous reliability and safety standards.

TECfusions also had to balance the constraints and advantages of adaptive reuse (leveraging existing entitlements, campus security, and connectivity potential) against the demands of a modern AI colocation environment, including:

• elevated densities
• new cooling technologies
• evolving code requirements

Compressing all of this into a four month delivery window required TECfusions to tightly coordinate design, construction, supply chain, and commissioning under a single, provider led playbook rather than a loosely coupled project team.

The tangible benefits underscore why this project deserves recognition as a colocation provider upgrade of the year. TECfusions brought 14.4 MW of AMD GPU capacity online in under four months, kept the Tucson facility fully leased since completion, and used the project to validate an adaptive reuse model that can now be exported to other markets.

The success of Tucson directly informed TensorWave’s decision to add another 10 MW on the same campus and to select TECfusions’ Keystone Connect campus in New Kensington for an additional 10 MW, with a roadmap toward 1 GW on a site capable of 3 GW.

For TECfusions, this project proves that adaptive reuse is not just environmentally advantageous but also a core business strategy: it accelerates time to compute, reduces development risk and cost, and turns stranded or underutilized assets into scalable, high performance colocation platforms for the AI era.

From 20 MW to 28 MW: A seamless infrastructure upgrade powering Stockholm’s future

Conapto is proud to nominate the Stockholm 4 South data center upgrade project for the Best Colocation Provider Upgrade Project of the Year award. Implemented between February 2025 and January 2026, this major infrastructure expansion increased the facility’s capacity from 20 MW to 28 MW, representing an 8 MW upgrade designed to meet rapidly evolving customer demands driven by AI, cloud growth, and digital transformation. Stockholm 4 South is already recognized as one of the most innovative and sustainability-driven colocation facilities in the Nordics. This upgrade project demonstrates Conapto’s ability to seamlessly expand existing infrastructure, optimize performance, and deliver scalable, future-ready capacity without compromising reliability, operational excellence, or environmental responsibility.

Outstanding Upgrade Strategy and Implementation

Announced on October 24, 2025, Conapto secured an additional 8 MW of power capacity through energy partner Ellevio, enabling Stockholm 4 South to scale to 28 MW. The upgraded capacity was ready from January 1, 2026, ensuring customers have immediate access to the infrastructure required for next-generation workloads.

This expansion was not simply about adding megawatts - it was a strategic upgrade designed to strengthen resilience, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. The upgrade ensures that customers can grow on a foundation of climate-smart and reliable operations, supporting the accelerating demands of AI-driven applications and cloud adoption.

Meeting Evolving Industry and Client Needs

The upgrade responds directly to a major market shift: the growing need for AI-ready, high-density colocation environments. Stockholm 4 South was built to support both traditional enterprise colocation and advanced deployments, including air-cooled racks up to 40 kW and liquid-cooled workloads exceeding 100 kW per rack. By expanding power availability, Conapto enables customers, including hyperscalers, international enterprises, and AI-focused organizations, to scale seamlessly in one of Europe’s most sustainable data center markets.

Sustainability and Community Impact

A key differentiator of this upgrade project is that capacity growth was delivered in alignment with Conapto’s sustainability leadership. Stockholm 4 South operates on 100% renewable, fossil-free energy, matched hourly through Vattenfall 24/7 matching. The site also supports Stockholm’s district heating network by reusing up to 10 MW of excess heat, helping provide energy to thousands of households. In addition, the facility contributes 14 MW of UPS and battery capacity to Sweden’s national grid, providing balancing services that improve grid stability and support the broader energy transition.

Ellevio emphasized that this upgrade represents more than technical expansion - it is a milestone in building the electrified infrastructure that powers sustainable AI innovation and digital services.

Major Differentiators and Industry Leadership

Stockholm 4 South is the first colocation data center in Europe to achieve OCP Ready™ V2 for Hyperscale certification, reinforcing its position as a leader in open standards, efficiency, and scalable infrastructure. The modular design of the facility, using pre-assembled power and cooling pods, enables rapid upgrades and expansion while maintaining performance and uptime — a critical advantage over traditional colocation competitors.

Conclusion

The Stockholm 4 South upgrade project is an outstanding example of how colocation providers can expand infrastructure intelligently, sustainably, and customer-focused. By increasing capacity from 20 MW to 28 MW within the eligibility period, Conapto has delivered a seamless upgrade that strengthens Stockholm’s digital ecosystem and sets a new standard for scalable, AI-ready, sustainable colocation in Europe. For these reasons, Conapto Stockholm 4 South is highly deserving of recognition as Best Colocation Provider Upgrade Project of the Year.

In the AI Zone

Introduction

In an industry often dominated by data centres located in the south of the UK, Stellium Datacenters represents a compelling case for why northern England is ideally suited to meet growing global digital demands — combining infrastructure resilience, sustainability, connectivity, and regional talent to create a powerful digital hub for now and the future.

Our clients are some of the worlds leading companies operating in the fintech and high frequency trading sector, the energy services sector, technology and internet services, visual media and streaming services, healthcare/pharma research industries and public sector.

• Stellium is currently the largest fully operational Tier III HPC data centre in the AI Growth Zone in the North East and as such is playing a key role in positioning the region as a crucial hub for 21st-century digital infrastructure. Located on Cobalt Business Park, close to Newcastle, this followed Stellium’s close collaboration on a joint submission with the North East Combined Authority and its engaging closely with government bodies to position Newcastle as one of the premier destinations for AI infrastructure.
• Stellium’s strategic vision is further strengthened by Newcastle’s exceptional quality of life, affordability and robust transport connections, making it a highly attractive proposition for both domestic and international technology companies. Local universities are providing dedicated AI education and a steady stream of graduates.

Founded in 2016, the 80MW, 4,264 square metres Tier 3 Stellium campus has differentiated itself from the congested southern UK regions by offering robust, scalable services backed by substantial power resources designed to scale to 500MWs, and unique connectivity. This is making it ideally suited to supporting the exponential demand for High Performance Computing (HPC) as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) workloads.

The Stellium facility has achieved multiple data centre and network ISO certifications and in 2023 became one of the first data centres in the UK to achieve Open Compute Project (OPC) compliance.

Power

• Unlike London’s saturated market, particularly in Slough, where strained infrastructure concerns are already front of mind, Stellium offers a reliable alternative, supported by its own 275 kV substation, enabling it to directly meet and control high-density computing demands essential for emerging technologies such as AI and high-performance computing (HPC).
• In the 20 years of the Cobalt Business Parks operation there has never been an unplanned electrical outage.
• Beyond its abundant direct from grid 100 % renewable sourced power connection, Stellium also has access to renewable energy from nearby offshore wind farm projects like Blyth and very soon, Dogger Bank, further bolstering its sustainability credentials.
• Its proximity to Dogger Bank – the largest off-shore windfarm in the world at 1.2GW capacity - will be strategic in linking this power to local users and the national grid.

Connectivity

Stellium is the only UK data centre with a secure Subsea Fibre Cable landing station for housing the world’s latest subsea cable networks.

• The Stellium site benefits from having two subsea cable landing stations — the NO-UK cable connecting to the Nordics and mainland Europe, and the North Atlantic Loop linking the UK to Europe and North America (AquaComms).
• Furthermore, the carrier-neutral campus is actively increasing the number of Tier I carriers all the time, providing customers more opportunities for choice and greater value.
• These low latency connections combine with Stellium’s own 40 km open, carrier-neutral metropolitan fibre network to achieve several outcomes:
  • enhancing the Newcastle City high speed network by enabling local full fibre networking (LFFN);
  • facilitating connectivity to long haul Internet locations such as London;
  • enabling 5G services.
  Therefore, driving the North East Combined Authority objectives of the Digital Economy.

Additionally, Stellium’s onsite Newcastle internet exchange point (NCL-IX) provides exceptionally low latency, further enhancing Stellium’s appeal to global and national clients.

Open Compute Project Leadership – Immersion Liquid Cooling

In May 2025 the site was chosen by the OCP as its first UK Experience Center to showcase state-of-the-art immersion cooling proof of concept for the Open Compute Project (OCP). The retrofit solution followed Stellium’s certification in 2023 as among the first UK data centres certified to support OCP HPC AI infrastructure.

Combining solutions from Submer, MiTAC, AMD, and ExxonMobil, among others, Stellium offers a cooling method where hardware is immersed in a specially designed coolant. This innovative solution absorbs and dissipates heat efficiently, significantly reducing energy consumption and supporting higher-density compute deployments. Immersion cooling is now available to HPC customers as a further cooling option, in addition to Rear Door and Direct to Chip liquid cooling solutions.

Sustainability credentials

Stellium’s location in the North East is one of the lowest carbon intensity regions in the United Kingdom (source: National Grid ESO) and operates in more favourable ambient temperatures than London, rarely exceeding 22 deg C v London’s 32 deg C (June 2023). This allows lower cooling costs from a PUE of sub 1.2 for immersion and liquid cooling applications.

Stellium has deployed design and operational innovations to help achieve higher energy efficiency within our data centre. These include:

• Excellent BREEAM rating
• Cooling: As part of Stellium’s OCP Ready™ provision, it can provide HPC cooling of client racks from 10 to 200kW using in-row/rear door chilled water cooling. Bespoke designs can be supported for fully immersive cooling beyond 200kW per rack
• Battery storage and solar solution – an initial scheme comprises a containerized 2.3MWh battery storage solution and rooftop solar PV system connecting to Stellium’s electrical infrastructure. The scheme will be expandable when required and carbon reduction is currently around 125.9Mt of Co2 per annum.
• Stellium has developed (with a service partner) a scheme to go-off national grid power during defined periods of grid peak loads. This scalable solution will grow with the load development of the data centre and will provide substantial support to the grid, create tangible tariff relief and contribute considerably to our ISO 14001 Environmental Management scope 1.
• Hosting an onshore substation for the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Wind Farm - currently operational with 5 turbines generating over 40MW capacity with potential to expand
• Hydro Power: Supporting the North Sea link Project – a UK / Norway interconnector
• As part of ISO 14001, a program of recycling of end of life elements and waste is in place
• Stellium’s generators operate on HVO (hydrogenated Vegetable Oil). This product is 90% Carbon free.

Compliance and accreditations

These include:

• OCP Ready™ certification
• ISO-27001 Information Security
• ISO-14001 Environmental Management
• ISO-9001 Quality Management
• ISO-20000 IT Service Management
• ISO-22301 Business Continuity Management
• PSN Network
• Cyber Essentials

Testimonials

“We’re pleased to recognise Stellium as the first OCP Experience Center in the UK focused on immersion. This site provides a realistic environment for testing and validating Submer’s OCP-aligned liquid immersion technologies using open hardware platforms. It supports OCP’s broader goal of enabling data center operators and solution providers to assess efficiency, integration, and operational readiness for HPC and AI workloads.”

“Selected Northern data centres such as Stellium are becoming a strong proposition as a connectivity hub by providing access to fibre, dark fibre, Internet Exchanges (IXPs) and subsea cables – offering low latency local, national and international communications.”

Setting the Green Standard for Europe’s Digital Infrastructure

Green Mountain is a leading European data center operator delivering highly secure, innovative, and sustainable colocation services. What continues to set us apart is our unwavering ambition to set the green standard for the entire data center industry. Sustainability is not an add on to our business, it defines how we design, build, operate, and eventually decommission every facility we deliver. All our Norwegian data centers run on 100% renewable energy, and we continuously work to minimize our carbon footprint through energy efficient operations, responsible material use, lifecycle planning, and heat reuse initiatives that benefit local communities.

In 2025, our leadership in sustainable digital infrastructure strengthened further. Independent analyses published this year show that our Norwegian data centers now represent a significant societal contributor. They have generated billions of NOK in local value creation and supported thousands of full time equivalents across direct, indirect, and induced effects. This demonstrates how world class, environmentally responsible data centers can serve as powerful engines for regional development, creating long-term value far beyond the boundaries of our own operations.

Our newest hyperscale campus, OSL Hamar, moved from rapid construction to full, stable operation in November 2024. Today, it stands as one of Europe’s largest and most innovative colocation sites. The campus has established a substantial and lasting regional footprint:

• More than 200 new jobs
• A robust and growing supplier ecosystem
• Strong collaboration with educational institutions, municipalities, and local businesses

In parallel, our Green Mountain Community Support Fund continues to strengthen our role in local communities across all sites, supporting sports, culture, and youth initiatives. Our customer portfolio ranges from smaller deployments to major enterprise clients and large-scale hyperscalers within cloud, finance, AI/HPC, and industry. Across all segments, our clients share a need for absolute reliability, transparency, and efficiency. Our customer-centric culture, characterized by trust, accountability, and a proactive mindset, continues to deliver measurable results.

In 2025, we once again achieved top-tier results in our annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. The strong scores confirm that our operational model, built on small, highly skilled teams and fast response times, continues to create strong, long-term customer partnerships. Customers rated us on a 6-point scale (where 6 is the highest), and every score exceeded 5,5.

Green Mountain’s key differentiators lie in the combination of:

• Deep sustainability expertise
• Technical excellence
• Ability to deliver large, complex projects with speed, quality, and predictability

We offer more than low-emission data centers, we offer a complete operational framework tailored to the most demanding global clients, with a focus on security, efficiency, agility, and long-term resilience. Through continued growth, documented societal impact, leading customer satisfaction, and a clear strategic commitment to sustainable digital infrastructure, Green Mountain has demonstrated in 2025 that it is both possible and commercially viable to raise the bar for a greener, smarter, and more responsible data center industry. For these reasons, we believe Green Mountain is a strong candidate for Best Overall Data Center of the Year.

The AI Brownfield Breakthrough

As demand for AI-ready data center capacity continues to grow and developable sites become increasingly scarce, the industry is being pushed to rethink how and where critical infrastructure is built. One response has been to repurpose existing digital infrastructure to accelerate delivery while reducing cost and complexity. The driving force behind this project was the customer’s urgent need to deploy AI capacity at scale—faster than traditional greenfield development would allow—while navigating site scarcity, power availability constraints, and escalating capital costs.

In Texas, T5 Construction led the transformation of a former cryptocurrency mining operation into a multi-building, AI-ready data center campus for a major hyperscale customer. What had once been a single-purpose, energy-intensive crypto facility was reimagined as a high-density environment capable of supporting next-generation GPU workloads. By leveraging the existing site and infrastructure, T5 avoided the extended timelines typically associated with this type of development and delivered new AI capacity under an aggressively compressed schedule.

This approach enabled the customer to rapidly repurpose existing assets to support mission-critical AI workloads, avoiding the delays inherent in greenfield development while accommodating a phased approach to building activation. This redevelopment represents one of the most complex and accelerated projects in T5 Construction’s history and serves as a clear example of why the project merits recognition as Brownfield Project of the Year. Through disciplined execution, innovative construction strategies, and early integration of operations expertise, T5 converted a constrained legacy site into a scalable, high-performance AI campus without sacrificing safety, quality, or long-term operational reliability. The project demonstrates how execution certainty and operational foresight can unlock new value from legacy infrastructure.

The project was not without significant challenges along the way. The site presented significant limitations, including:

• a constrained footprint;
• legacy buildings that were not designed to support modern mechanical loads; and
• environmental and operational conditions that typically extend delivery schedules and increase cost.

In addition, the customer required a phased delivery model that would allow portions of the campus to become operational while construction continued elsewhere. The objective was not only to overcome these limitations, but to do so in a way that enabled phased delivery, allowing the end user to deploy AI workloads and begin realizing value incrementally, without waiting for full campus completion.

To meet these demands, T5 implemented an integrated delivery model that combined large-scale retrofit with concurrent ground-up construction. Existing low-density structures were re-engineered and converted into high-density data halls, while new AI-ready facilities were developed in parallel on adjacent portions of the site. Executed within a target delivery window of approximately 14 months, the program relied on continuous operations, overlapping scopes, and disciplined coordination across construction, engineering, and commissioning teams. This parallel execution approach directly addressed the aggressive schedule requirements, significantly reduced overall delivery time compared to traditional linear build methods and enabled early energization of critical infrastructure.

Innovation played a critical role in addressing site constraints while controlling cost and schedule risk. Rather than treating brownfield constraints as limitations, T5 collaborated with key stakeholders to find a solution:

• With no available space for conventional ground-level cooling yards, the project incorporated a vertically elevated cooling solution, constructing a raised platform to support major mechanical systems while preserving valuable ground area.
• The team used vertical mechanical strategies to achieve the thermal performance required for high-density AI hardware without expanding the site footprint. This approach avoided costly site expansion or redesign and enabled the required thermal performance for AI hardware.
• Within the existing buildings, internal structural reinforcement systems were introduced to support chilled-water infrastructure and heavy mechanical equipment, extending the usable life of the structures and avoiding demolition, redesign, and material replacement costs.

The tangible benefits delivered through this redevelopment are significant:

• Phased energization enabled early AI deployment and accelerated time-to-market, allowing the end user to begin utilizing capacity and generating value well ahead of full campus completion.
• Adaptive reuse of existing structures reduced material waste, avoided extensive site preparation and permitting timelines, and lowered overall capital expenditure compared to a greenfield development.
• Early operational integration reduced commissioning risk, minimized post-handover modifications, and lowered long-term lifecycle costs by ensuring the facility was optimized for maintainability and reliability from day one.

Collectively, these outcomes delivered faster revenue realizations, reduced operational risk, and a scalable AI-ready platform aligned with the customer’s long-term growth strategy.

Delivered within the eligibility period, this project exemplifies the intent of the Brownfield Project of the Year category. By transforming a former cryptocurrency mining site into a high-performance, AI-ready data center campus, T5 Construction demonstrated how strategic repurposing, disciplined execution, and operational foresight can deliver measurable efficiency gains and cost savings for the end user. This project shows how existing digital infrastructure can be transformed to meet the needs of the AI era, setting a real-world example of what’s possible and making T5 Construction the standout candidate for a DCS Award.

Sudlows/MHR

About

MHR are a software specialist delivering market-leading solutions in the Human Resources, Payroll, and Finance industries. Their pioneering platforms have been making the world of work easier for over four decades.

The Project

Sudlows were approached by our trusted supply chain partner, Vertiv, to assist with the design and build of MHR’s latest generation of data centre facility, located on privately owned land in Nottinghamshire. Whilst MHR have over 30 years’ experience in building and operating data centre facilities, they wanted to engage a specialist with proven expertise in delivering state-of- the-art, mission-critical environments. Their objective was to utilise the latest technologies and highly efficient systems to support their expansion and long-term sustainability plans.

MHR had an existing relationship with Vertiv and specified that their equipment would be deployed within the new facility. Working in close collaboration, all three parties partnered to develop the design, led by the Sudlows in-house Design Team, under the guidance of one of our Uptime Institute Accredited design leads.

The facility is subterranean and was constructed on the footprint of an existing building. By utilising land previously occupied by a storage facility, the project achieved minimal environmental impact. MHR directly managed the building works to deliver the physical white and grey spaces, along with the external plant rooms and compounds required to accommodate the various mechanical and electrical systems.

Due to the nature of the facility, several design stage challenges had to be carefully considered. Particular attention was given to ensuring safe and practical access for the installation and positioning of both the M&E equipment and the client’s IT hardware. The building layout, including the data halls, electrical switch rooms, UPS rooms, and circulation areas, was developed and planned through close collaboration between Sudlows and the client’s Design Team. This ensured that all requirements of MHR’s specification were delivered.

MHR required a robust and highly resilient facility, which Sudlows’ Data Centre Design Team carefully incorporated specific input from MHR to ensure these objectives were fully achieved. The cooling infrastructure was designed to provide N 2 resilience, utilising Vertiv’s air cooled chillers and chilled water in-row coolers, delivering a concurrently maintainable solution. The electrical infrastructure was similarly designed with resilience and planned maintenance in mind, providing an N N configuration to support the critical loads within the data centre.

By adopting a collaborative approach from the outset, the team was able to draw on previous experience and incorporate valuable lessons learned into the design where appropriate. The project’s success was driven by MHR’s early engagement and existing expertise, allowing for a true partnership approach between Sudlows, Vertiv, and the customer’s own data centre personnel.

Following completion of the installation, Sudlows carried out a rigorous commissioning programme, including full load bank testing to validate that the electrical and mechanical infrastructure could support the 240kW IT load. This process involved simulating various failure scenarios to demonstrate and verify that the data centre would remain fully operational during such events.

After completion of the installation process, Sudlows conducted on-site familiarisation sessions to explain the installed equipment and systems. These were followed by a classroom training session for MHR staff and operators responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility, providing them with both familiarisation and a comprehensive understanding of the infrastructure. The training was recorded to serve as a reference resource, and electronic copies of the materials were provided, enabling cross-reference with the O&M manuals as required.

MHR successfully migrated their IT services during a planned maintenance window, with no unplanned outages or disruption to their clients’ services. As with most complex projects, several challenges arose during delivery. However, these were effectively managed through a fully open and transparent relationship with the customer. This approach enabled any minor issues to be discussed promptly and resolved collaboratively, preventing delays. The project was delivered to scope, within time and to budget, with no significant change management required. This outcome demonstrates how early engagement and meticulous planning ensured that all requirements were fully considered and incorporated at the design stage. As a result, MHR were delivered a fully compliant facility, built to their requested standards, providing complete peace of mind and a reliable, future-proof data centre for years to come.

Due to the established relationship between the customer and Vertiv, all primary equipment was supplied by Vertiv, including:

• 4 x Free Cooling Chillers.
• 10 x CRV In-Row Cooling Units serving the data centre.
• 2 x CRAH units serving the UPS Room.
• Smart Aisle Containment System.
• 2 x 300kVA UPS systems supporting the IT load.
• 80kVA UPS system supporting mechanical essential services.
• 800kVA Standby Generator.
• Single main electrical switchboard feeding N N downstream distribution for:
  • IT supplies, chillers, etc.
• Temporary generator connection points to allow maintenance of the main electrical switchboard and standby generator.

Together with:

• Integrated BMS offering full visibility of the status of all systems.
• Fire Suppression systems.
• Fresh Air and Extract Ventilation systems.
• External GRP CHW pump room.
• Leak detection.

By utilising the latest technologies from Vertiv’s range of data centre solutions, Sudlows designed and delivered a state-of- the-art facility to replace the customer’s existing data centre. This has enabled the customer to achieve year-on-year reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions, supported by a highly efficient system underpinning their critical operations. Sudlows has continued to support the facility through the provision of our full Facilities Maintenance services, including a 24/7 out-of-hours helpdesk to manage emergency calls and escalation procedures.

Conclusion

The successful delivery of MHR’s new data centre stands as a testament to the strength of early engagement, collaborative partnership, and specialist expertise. Through close cooperation between Sudlows, Vertiv, and MHR’s experienced in-house team, the project achieved its objective of delivering a resilient, energy efficient, and future ready mission-critical facility. Designed with N 2 and N N resilience, constructed with minimal environmental impact, and delivered on time and within budget, the facility provides MHR with a secure and robust platform to support its ongoing growth.

The seamless migration of IT services, comprehensive commissioning process, and structured training programme further ensured a smooth transition into full operational status. By combining innovative technology, meticulous planning, and long-term maintenance support, Sudlows has delivered a fully compliant, high-performance data centre that will provide reliability, efficiency, and operational confidence for many years to come.

Testimonial

Ian Price, Director of Corporate IT at MHR commented:

“It was a pleasure to deal with Sudlows as the lead partner in this project. The expertise and depth of knowledge was obvious from project inception, and the attention to detail demonstrated by all members of the project team was exemplary, the added value of Sudlows’ ability to take the facility from design and build through to monitored operations and response has provided the assurance that we can deal with one entity for all our needs.

MHR has been hosting sensitive customer data in its private cloud since the mid-90s, before the word cloud was even coined! In that time, we have moved through three generations of data centre design to where we are today; Hosting over 3.5M UK employee records and transferring £2.5Bn in BACS transfers per month.

This latest generation of data centre will now allow MHR to support its customers well into the 2030s with the most efficient and reliable model ever.”

Digital Realty partners with Vultr to boost AI infrastructure

AZINCLOUD

1. Driving Force Behind the Project:

The launch of AZINCLOUD by AzInTelecom LLC was driven by the growing need to make modern cloud technologies accessible, scalable, secure, and easily managed for everyone — from startups and individual entrepreneurs to SMEs, large enterprises, and public institutions in Azerbaijan. As digital transformation accelerated across the country, organizations required reliable IT infrastructure — including virtual servers, secure data storage, computing capacity, monitoring tools, and flexible management systems — to remain competitive and innovative.

The local market faced several structural challenges:

• Limited availability of sovereign, locally hosted cloud infrastructure
• Concerns around digital sovereignty, data control, and regulatory compliance
• High upfront costs of building and maintaining physical IT systems
• Lack of simple, self-service cloud platforms accessible to both legal entities and private users

To address these challenges, AzInTelecom partnered with Gcore, a global edge AI, cloud, network, and security solutions provider, to launch AZINCLOUD as a public cloud platform.

2. Solution and Innovative Aspects:

Through the partnership with Gcore, AzInTelecom launched AZINCLOUD, a sovereign public cloud platform that combines international technology expertise with domestic infrastructure. The solution also tackled market accessibility barriers by offering a fully online, pay-as-you-go model, enabling businesses, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and individuals to register, pay by bank card, and deploy cloud infrastructure within minutes. This removed cost and complexity obstacles that previously limited cloud adoption.

Innovative aspects of the project include:

• Sovereign cloud architecture with global-grade performance
• Instant self-service provisioning
• Integrated cloud marketplace and real-time monitoring
• Enterprise-level security

The platform was designed to support digital growth and serve all users in Azerbaijan securely and efficiently.

3. Major Challenges and Solutions:

The primary challenge was building trust in a newly launched product within a competitive cloud market. Convincing businesses and institutions of its reliability, security, long-term sustainability, and performance standards was essential, particularly when migrating critical data and infrastructure.

This challenge was addressed through:

• Strategic international partnerships with Gcore, Europe’s largest cloud provider with over 40 data centers across 5 continents
• Implementing a White-Label business model that makes Azerbaijan the 42nd country in the Gcore network, providing a Regional Accessibility Zone for international companies
• Emphasizing digital sovereignty, ensuring national control over data, transparency of operations, and compliance with local regulations
• A transparent pay-as-you-go model combined with enterprise-level capabilities to establish trust among corporate, government, and private users

4. Tangible Benefits:

AZINCLOUD provides a modern public cloud platform enabling users to register online and instantly create their own cloud infrastructure. Key benefits include:

• Fully managed cloud environment accessible through azincloud.az
• Pay-as-you-use pricing and online billing
• Scalable compute and storage resources
• Self-provisioning console with monitoring and management tools
• Support for multiple usage scenarios including hosting, storage, backup, and compute
• User-friendly interface and 24/7 support

The platform simplifies cloud adoption, reduces cost and complexity, and empowers organizations of all sizes to build and grow infrastructure in a secure, flexible, and efficient way.

Empowering Customer Success: Prism's Commitment to Excellence in Service and Innovation

Prism — Customer-Centric Innovation and Operational Excellence in Data Centers

Prism stands out in the competitive landscape through several key distinguishing features and unique selling propositions that highlight its commitment to exceptional service and customer empowerment. One of the primary differentiators is Prism's customer-driven approach, which places a strong emphasis on understanding and addressing the unique needs and challenges of its clients. This proactive engagement allows Prism to develop tailored solutions that resonate with a diverse range of data centre customers, empowering them to achieve measurable results.

Impact on Customers

The impact of Prism's dedication to service is evident in the significant improvements its customers experience:

• Increased operational efficiency
• Reduced operational costs
• Enhanced overall productivity
• A remarkable 20% increase in customer satisfaction ratings over the last year

Distinctive Capabilities

Prism differentiates itself through unmatched quality of customer service combined with comprehensive control over every element of manufacturing and product delivery. This allows Prism to:

• Adapt quickly to design changes and unforeseen project challenges
• Maintain seamless communication between technical and site teams
• Ensure prompt resolution of issues for smoother project execution
• Provide hands-on oversight from senior management to guarantee delivery of commitments

Continuous Improvement

Prism leverages data analytics and customer feedback to create a cycle of ongoing enhancement. This approach ensures:

• High-quality products
• Adaptable support systems for emerging customer needs
• Perpetual improvement of services and solutions

Client Testimonials

• "We’re grateful for their excellent service and support for our project and highly recommend them to anyone seeking reliable technical assistance and quality equipment."
• "From an initial email contact request, PRISM DSC stepped in and assisted us in a swift, timely manner."

Conclusion

Prism's unique blend of customer-centric service, impactful market innovations, and dedicated support differentiates it significantly from competitors. By maintaining focus on empowering customers and continuously striving for excellence, Prism establishes itself as a market leader and ensures meaningful, lasting partnerships with its clients.

Sota Customer‑Focused Data Centre Services

Sota’s key differentiator is our service first, outcomes led approach to data centre and managed infrastructure services. Rather than offering commoditised hosting or infrastructure alone, Sota delivers secure, resilient and highly managed data centre services that are designed around performance and recovery requirements.

Our USP lies in the combination of enterprise grade infrastructure with MSP level care, providing customers with:

• Highly resilient, UK based data centre solutions
• Integrated backup, disaster recovery and cyber resilience
• Proactive monitoring and ongoing optimisation
• Direct access to experienced engineers, not ticket queues

We act as an extension of our customers’ IT teams, ensuring their critical systems are protected, compliant and always available, without unnecessary complexity.

Sota has delivered a measurable impact by helping customers reduce risk, improve resilience and gain confidence in their business continuity posture.

Key outcomes for customers include:

• Improved uptime and availability through resilient infrastructure design and proactive monitoring
• Reduced recovery times via tested backup and disaster recovery solutions
• Lower operational risk through secure, well managed data centre environments
• Peace of mind for leadership teams, knowing systems are protected and recoverable

For many customers, moving to Sota’s managed data centre services has transformed IT from a reactive cost centre into a stable, dependable platform for growth, enabling them to focus on their core business rather than infrastructure concerns.

Customer Service

Customer service is where Sota truly stands apart. Unlike providers that rely heavily on automation or off shored support, Sota delivers:

• Direct access to UK based engineers who understand each customer’s environment
• Proactive support not just reactive incident handling
• Clear communication particularly during critical incidents
• Long term relationships not transactional service delivery

We invest time in understanding each customer’s infrastructure, risk profile and business objectives. This enables us to anticipate issues, recommend improvements, and act quickly when it matters most.

Customers consistently value:

• Fast response times
• Consistency of contacts
• Honest, practical advice
• A feeling of being genuinely looked after

Key Differentiators

Sota differentiates itself from traditional data centre providers and large MSPs in several keyways:

Service over scale
We prioritise service quality, flexibility and customer experience rather than volume or one size fits all offerings.

Integrated resilience
Our data centre services are tightly integrated with backup, disaster recovery and cybersecurity, providing a holistic approach to resilience rather than fragmented solutions.

Engineer led delivery
Customers work with skilled engineers who design, manage and support their environments, not sales driven handovers or siloed teams.

Pragmatic, business aligned solutions
We tailor solutions to what customers need, avoiding unnecessary complexity while ensuring robustness and compliance.

Sota exemplifies what it means to deliver truly customer centric colocation and hosting services. Through tailored solutions, proactive support and an unwavering commitment to service quality, Sota consistently exceeds client expectations.

This focus on responsiveness, accountability and long term customer satisfaction firmly positions Sota as a standout provider in the hosting and colocation market and a strong candidate for recognition in this category.

Market Analytics Platform with Hyperscaler and Supplier Intelligence.

1) What are your product’s or solution’s key distinguishing features and or USP? DC Byte’s nomination is built on our Market Analytics platform, strengthened by two specialised solutions for Hyperscalers and Suppliers. Market Analytics provides global market intelligence at scale, tracking 135 countries, 400 GW of IT capacity and 8,000 data centre assets under quarterly review. The platform is continually updated with real-time validated data supported by quarterly facility reviews, site inspections and in-depth analysis, backed by a global analyst network including 30 analysts and developers. The Market Analytics platform converts fragmented market signals into structured intelligence that customers can compare across markets and over time. It covers facilities, capacity, supply, demand and pricing signals, with flexible tools to segment data and generate charts for decision making. Market Analytics includes purpose-built views such as:

• Highlights showing total IT capacity split by stage of development, live / under construction / committed / early stage, plus vacancy rate and market composition (colo vs self-build).
• Map View to explore individual projects and their developments and pipeline, plus a Market Leaderboard to explore established and emerging players in a given market.
• An Activity Log capturing recent changes including new and updated properties, new take-up, new supply and historical edits, with time-period and quarter controls supporting what changed market visibility.
• Market dynamics metrics such as Supply and Take-up, Churn and Absorption Rate, plus trend analytics including Average PUE over time, build rates (data centres and MWs built per year) and historic power density and segmentation views.

Building on this foundation, DC Byte delivers two specialist analytics products:

• Hyperscaler Analytics provides a consolidated, analyst-verified view of hyperscaler activity worldwide, linking expansion footprints, operator partnerships and market data in one platform. The innovation lies in the depth and integration of the data: the product delivers an unprecedented level of detail on individual hyperscaler deployments within colocation projects, allowing users to view hyperscaler movements across geographies in a single, integrated view. It tracks presence, intention and confirmed transactions, including self-builds and leases, enabling teams to anticipate where demand is moving rather than reacting after capacity is committed. The platform supports benchmarking by total IT capacity, self-build versus colocation footprint and market share, and enables forecasting using verified data.
• Supplier Analytics provides real-time visibility into global data centre activity, enabling suppliers to search by competitor, market or project and decide where to act first. The innovation lies in its focus and provenance: DC Byte’s Supplier Analytics is the first product of its kind built by a specialist data centre intelligence provider, rather than a generalist construction or project tracking platform that spans multiple industries. While equipment manufacturers and contractors have relied on DC Byte’s Market Analytics for years to understand where markets are developing, this innovation introduces a new way to track competitive movements, identify potential partners and shape business development strategy as projects emerge and evolve. Users can filter opportunities by stage, region, size and supplier, build prospect lists and follow updates as projects progress, supported by structured coverage of 12,000 supplier project engagements, 15 supplier categories, and 1,400 early-stage projects and expansions, with new opportunities added weekly. Key USPs include global scale backed by quantified coverage, continually updated and validated intelligence and workflow tooling that reduces time spent searching, normalising and validating information.

2) What tangible impact has your product or solution had on the market and your customers? DC Byte helps customers move from reactive to proactive decision making by improving visibility into where capacity is emerging and what is changing across markets. We support at least five industry groups across the data centre ecosystem, with a platform foundation in Market Analytics and specialised solutions in Hyperscaler Analytics and Supplier Analytics. Customers are able to make faster, better decisions based on verified data rather than assumptions or estimates.

• Data Centre Operators use Market Analytics for competitive benchmarking, market selection and expansion planning and use Hyperscaler Analytics to track presence intention and confirmed transactions plus self-builds and leases so they can anticipate where demand is moving.
• Real Estate Developers use Market Analytics to make site and feasibility decisions earlier and with confidence by placing market dynamics and activity signals in context, helping them prioritise where to progress land and power opportunities.
• Investment Firms use Market Analytics to speed up diligence and build higher confidence in investment strategies grounded in structured comparable market intelligence and use Hyperscaler Analytics to understand footprint and growth direction at market level.
• Advisory Firms use Market Analytics to strengthen recommendations with consistent data and clear visibility into what has changed over time and use Hyperscaler Analytics to support client strategy with a verified view of expansion movements.
• Suppliers use Supplier Analytics to identify and qualify opportunities earlier by filtering by stage, region, size and supplier, building prospect lists and following projects as they progress, supported by weekly additions of new opportunities.

The result is faster market qualification, clearer prioritisation and fewer missed opportunities driven by fragmented information.

3) What are the major differentiators between your product or solution and those of your primary competitors? Most competitors provide directory style discovery, static reports or research coverage. DC Byte is a one-of-a-kind product platform with few, if any, direct equivalents because it combines a quantified global market dataset, continual validation and analytics tooling with specialised workflows for hyperscaler tracking and supplier opportunity qualification in a single environment. Market Analytics is designed for comparison across markets and time and provides built-in views that surface what has changed over time, including an Activity Log tracking new and updated properties, new take-up, new supply and historical edits, alongside market leaderboards and market dynamics metrics. In addition, DC Byte delivers specialised analytics products that competitors often do not. Hyperscaler Analytics provides an analyst-verified view of presence intention and confirmed transactions plus tracking of self-builds and leases to help customers anticipate where demand is moving. Supplier Analytics provides early opportunity visibility supported by supplier project engagement tracking, category coverage and weekly additions of new opportunities. This combination reduces manual research and enables faster higher confidence decisions across market entry, expansion planning, investment diligence, advisory recommendations and supplier targeting.

4) Please supply any supportive quotes and or case study materials to demonstrate the value of this product or solution to your customers or partners.

“SEGRO has been a user of the DC Byte platform for many years and both the team and platform have been of great assistance as we have scaled our data centre business during this time. We have been able to look at market data and trends to support business development and many other matters. I have assurance through their market leading platform and team of analysts that I have accurate up to date intel and I am able to quickly analyse this given the easy to use platform.”
Mark Emanuel, Director, Group Data Centres

“DC Byte provides excellent customer service through their global network of analysts coupled with their online tool, allowing for us to glean the latest market insights.”
Neil Gallamore, Asset Management Director, xScale. Equinix

MCIM's Intelligent Bulletins

Intelligent Bulletins is the only data-center-specific alerting and reliability solution powered by proprietary, real-world performance and failure data, not just OEM communications.

Traditional OEM bulletins are fragmented, delayed, generic, and often missed entirely. Intelligent Bulletins replaces this model with asset-aware, actionable intelligence that tells operators what matters, why it matters, and exactly what to do next, before failures occur.

Key distinguishing features of Intelligent Bulletins include:

• Proprietary intelligence derived from over one million mission-critical assets across global data center portfolios
• Four color-coded bulletin types (Critical, End-of-Life, Life Extension, and Reliability Trends) that drive clarity and urgency
• Asset-level relevance, automatically mapped to a customer’s actual installed base, eliminating noise and alert fatigue
• Workflow-driven resolution, with full tracking from bulletin receipt through action, accountability, and closure
• Early warnings OEMs do not provide, including emerging reliability trends seen across peer environments

Unlike OEM portals or generic alerting tools, Intelligent Bulletins is built to prevent downtime, not document it after the fact.

Intelligent Bulletins has materially changed how leading operators manage operational risk.

Documented customer impact includes:

• Pre-empting systemic UPS battery failures across portfolios of hundreds of battery strings by identifying early-stage failure patterns invisible to OEM guidance
• Enabling operators to revise commissioning standards, supplier selection, and capital planning based on observed field reliability (not theoretical specs)
• Reducing exposure to missed OEM alerts, a known root cause of preventable outages and SLA violations
• Shifting teams from reactive incident response to proactive reliability management, with measurable reductions in risk concentration

At a market level, Intelligent Bulletins reflects a broader shift away from passive OEM dependency toward independent, data-driven reliability intelligence, which is especially critical as power density, AI workloads, and asset stress increase.

Intelligent Bulletins is fundamentally different from OEM bulletins, CMMS alerts, and generic reliability tools in four key ways:

1. Proprietary data vs. manufacturer self-reporting: OEM bulletins are limited, inconsistent, and often delayed. Intelligent Bulletins leverages real-world failure data observed across global fleets. When the first customer in the MCIM ecosystem learns of an OEM bulletin, every other MCIM customer learns about it. This is a stark departure from the status quo, where customers are dependent on the OEM’s release sequence and timeline.
2. Asset-specific relevance vs. generic notifications: Customers only see alerts tied to assets they actually own, eliminating noise and wasted effort.
3. Early signal vs. late disclosure: Intelligent Bulletins surfaces reliability trends and degradation patterns before OEMs formally acknowledge issues.
4. Built-in accountability vs. email alerts: Bulletins are tracked, assigned, and resolved within a governed workflow so they don’t get lost in inboxes or spreadsheets.

The result is fewer surprises, stronger audit posture, and materially lower operational risk.

As data centers operate closer to their physical and electrical limits, Intelligent Bulletins provides the independent reliability intelligence operators need to stay ahead of risks.

Its impact extends beyond individual customers, setting a new standard for how mission-critical infrastructure is protected.

Telehouse West UPS and CRAH replacement project

Background:

Salute, operating through its specialist delivery arm 2bm, was appointed to deliver the phased replacement of uninterruptible power supply systems and computer room air handling units at Telehouse West, one of the UK’s most critical live data centre environments. The project required careful modernisation of core electrical and mechanical infrastructure across the ground floor and levels one to five, while maintaining uninterrupted service to existing customers throughout the programme. Leveraging Salute's more than two decades of experience in live data centre environments, they were in charge of the end-to-end design, management, and delivery of the works. The team provided a fully integrated solution, from initial technical review through installation, commissioning, and handover – ensuring balanced operational resilience, programme certainty, and long-term performance. This approach ensured that every intervention only led to further enhancement of the facility without introducing additional risk to this critical load.

Goals and challenges:

The scope of works included the phased replacement of IT and mechanical UPS systems, alongside extensive CRAH upgrades across technical rooms, data halls, transformer rooms, and main meet me rooms. The delivery strategy was deliberately structured around alternative A and B power streams and staggered floor sequencing, allowing systems to be replaced one at a time while preserving full redundancy. This method contributed significantly to reduced operational risk and enabled testing and commissioning to be carried out thoroughly and safely within a live environment.

A key challenge was coordinating complex electrical and mechanical upgrades across multiple floors, as each floor differed in load profiles and operational capabilities. Data centres demand absolute precision, especially when upgrading power and cooling infrastructure under live conditions. Salute addressed this by undertaking detailed design development in advance of installation, supported by robust risk assessments, method statements, and logic-linked programmes that were continually reviewed with stakeholders. This ensured that every phase was fully understood, agreed, and executed with confidence.

The project also required careful integration with existing building management, power monitoring, and control systems. Salute managed all interfacing with BMS, PMS, EMS, and site monitoring platforms, ensuring new equipment was fully visible, controllable, and compliant with Telehouse operational standards. Extensive factory and site acceptance testing was carried out, including full load bank testing and failure scenario testing, to validate system performance before handover.

Innovation and outcomes:

Innovation was embedded at every stage of the project with a solid commitment to efficiency, resilience, and future readiness. Salute ensured the basics were done right, from equipment selection – carefully sized to meet actual design loads, avoiding unnecessary oversizing while providing robust redundancy – to installation of new UPS systems with enhanced battery monitoring and upgraded power distribution. New CRAH units were designed to operate efficiently across both day one and future operating conditions, ensuring the upgraded infrastructure was reliable and adaptable to evolving demand.

Measured outcomes focused on operational assurance and long-term value. The phased delivery model enabled Telehouse to continue operating without disruption while benefiting from significantly modernised power and cooling infrastructure. The structured testing regime, combined with comprehensive training and documentation at handover, ensured site teams were fully equipped to manage the new systems from day one.

Communication, both internal and external, played a key role throughout the project. Salute acted as a single point of coordination, maintaining clear and consistent dialogue with Telehouse stakeholders, design agents, and operational teams. Regular progress updates, transparent risk management, and collaborative planning ensured trust was maintained across all phases of delivery.

Conclusion:

The Telehouse West UPS and CRAH replacement project demonstrates Salute’s ability to deliver technically complex, large-scale infrastructure upgrades within live, mission-critical environments. By combining deep technical expertise with disciplined planning and a collaborative mindset, Salute successfully delivered a resilient, future-ready solution that strengthens the long-term operational capability of one of the UK’s most important data centre facilities.

Queen Mary University of London Enhances Data Centre Digital Transformation with District Heating Project from Schneider Electric and Advanced Power Technology (APT)

Modernisation of Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) research data centre

The modernisation project for Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) research data centre, delivered in partnership with Schneider Electric and their EcoXpert partner, Advanced Power Technology (APT), showcased a successful transformation for this mission-critical facility. Responding to growing challenges in operations, technology, and sustainability, this project updated a legacy facility into one more capable in helping leading scientific research.

The Queen Mary University of London, ranked amongst the top 100 universities globally and supporting more than 31,000 students and 5,700 staff, relies on the efficiency and resiliency of its research data centre in leading scientific exploration. Historically playing a vital role in evolving particle physics studies with ongoing CERN’s Large Hadron Collider experiments, the increasing computing density demands made it clear that Queen Mary’s current environment was no longer fit for purpose. The driving force behind this project focused on upgrading the data centre facility to meet both today’s and future computing demands.

Challenges

With a lack of a heat recovery system, its ageing cooling infrastructures, and the overall design limiting scalability for high-performance computing, there were significant overheating risks due to growing energy consumption, impacting efficiency and reliability.

• Lack of a heat recovery system
• Ageing cooling infrastructures
• Design limiting scalability for high-performance computing
• Significant overheating risks due to growing energy consumption

The project’s main aim was to rethink the design of the data centre and make a more sustainable solution that better aligned Queen Mary University with their environmental strategy, and with the research centre consuming excessive energy amounts and rejecting waste heat without a strategic recovery methodology, the need was more prominent, especially given its close proximity to the campus district heating network. The project was therefore driven by the dual imperative to create a resilient, futureproof platform for research while embedding sustainability at the core of operations.

Solution

To address these challenges, QMUL worked in collaboration with Schneider Electric and its long-standing EcoXpert partner, APT, to deliver a next-generation data centre upgrade to both consolidate and modernise the research environment for a more sustainable future.

Through Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Data Centre architecture, the solution integrated:

• Row-base infrastructure
• InRow cooling
• Thermal containment
• APC NetBotz monitoring
• EcoStruxure DCIM software
• New racks and UPS systems for high-density workloads

This solution allowed for waste heat to now be transferred to water heat pumps and fed back into the campus’ heating network that had previously been rejected into the atmosphere, reducing its overall Scope 1 CO₂ emissions and transforming the data entre into a contributor to campus sustainability. It also created a robust platform capable of supporting existing and future operations as research computing demand continues to evolve in the growing campus.

Implementation and continuity

During this upgrade, there were challenges in disruption as this data centre facility supports national research programmes, therefore disruption had to be minimised. But with Schneider Electric and APT’s detailed planning and phased implementation, its modernisation ensured the transition was delivered reliably, without negotiating active research.

Benefits

• Reliability and uptime have significantly improved, with predictive monitoring and automated alarms to reduce the risk of downtime and manual intervention.
• The upgraded infrastructure provides the flexibility to support future HPC workloads and next-generation scientific research.
• The project also had lowered operational costs allowed for high energy efficiency, whilst directly influencing the university’s sustainability strategy to supply heat to the wider campus.
• Beyond operational benefits, the project enhanced Queen Mary’s reputation as a global leader in research and sustainability, demonstrating how digital transformation can enable both scientific discovery and environmental responsibility.

Testimonial

“Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Data Centre solutions were essential to help Queen Mary bring together its power, cooling, racks and management systems, and support the deployment of its high-density IT equipment needed for its research,” said John Andrew, Technical Sales Manager, APT. “This approach also created a platform to support its sustainability objectives via heat reuse, while enabling the University to act proactively and preventatively to intercept and remediate potential future issues.”

Conclusion

The partnership between Queen Mary University of London, Schneider Electric, and APT showcases how collaboration and innovation design and operation can transform a legacy data centre into a sustainable research hub, which is why this project should be considered for the Data Centre Consolidation / Upgrade Project of the Year at the Data Centre Solutions Awards.

Huawei Thermal Management Unit Liquid Cooling Solution

• What are your product's/solution's key distinguishing features and/or USP?

From coolant distribution to full-chain thermal management, and from single component to system control center:

The traditional CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) acts as a standalone component in liquid cooling systems, focusing on passive heat exchange and coolant distribution.

Huawei TMU (Thermal Management Unit) serves as the control center, upgrading from basic coolant distribution to full-chain thermal management.

On top of heat exchange and flow distribution, it actively enables cooling & power joint control, predictive maintenance, multi-level emergency safety protection, AI-based leak detection and self-diagnosis, and AI intelligent optimization, making it the intelligent core of liquid cooling systems.

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• What tangible impact has your product/solution had on the market and your customers?

I. Core Customer Value of TMU

With three core advantages: High Reliability, Easy Maintenance, High Energy Efficiency.

Huawei TMU delivers comprehensive value for data center liquid cooling systems:

• High Reliability:
Innovative power architecture enables 0ms switchover between active and backup power supplies, ensuring stable coolant temperature during switching.
Leak self-detection locates and isolates faults within 30s.
Passes rigorous compatibility tests for stable, continuous operation.

• Easy Maintenance:
Modular hot-swappable design reduces key component maintenance time from 60 mins to 1 min.
AI coolant pre-diagnosis predicts health risks 2 weeks in advance.
One-click expansion tank self-check cuts manual operation time from 30 mins to 1 min, greatly lowering OPEX and downtime risks.

• High Energy Efficiency:
Cooling & power joint control reduces cooling response time from 60s to 5s.
High-efficiency plate heat exchanger achieves 3°C approach, reducing cooling power consumption by 15%.
AI system-level intelligent optimization improves overall energy efficiency by 30%.

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II. TMU’s Impact on the Liquid Cooling Market

The TMU upgrades from a traditional CDU (single liquid distribution component) to an “integrated thermal management control hub”, redefining industry product standards.

It shifts liquid cooling systems from “passive execution” to “active intelligent control,” driving the industry toward highly reliable, intelligent, high-efficiency and accelerating the large-scale adoption of liquid cooling technology.

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• What are the major differentiators between your product/solution and those of your primary competitors?

I. Significantly Upgraded Reliability

• Power Supply Architecture:

Traditional CDU:
Dual-power switching easily causes pump restart and interruption of coolant supply;
Additional APF/SVG is required for harmonic control;
No redundancy in core power supply, leading to single point of failure.

Huawei TMU:
Dual AC/DC hot-standby architecture enables “zero interruption” during switchover, with continuous pump operation, stable coolant supply and steady server temperature.
Built-in harmonic control ensures full-load THDi < 10% and power factor > 0.95.
Core power distribution and pumps adopt “2N redundancy” for continuous cooling under single-point failure.

• Emergency Safety:

Traditional CDU:
No rapid emergency response mechanism, leading to risk of fault propagation.

Huawei TMU:
Equipped with multiple emergency safeguards, including “AI-based accurate leak detection and fast isolation, one-button maximum cooling, one-button emergency power off, and main drives pump directly, preventing fault spread.

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II. More easy and smart maintenance

• Modular maintenance:

Traditional CDU:
Core components connected via cables/bolts, difficult to maintain;
single-component maintenance time >10 minutes, some exceeding 60 minutes.

Huawei TMU:
Core components fully modular and hot-swappable;
single-component maintenance time ≤1 minute, extremely simple and efficient.

• AI coolant predictive diagnosis:

Traditional CDU:
Unable to predict coolant degradation risks.

Huawei TMU:
AI-driven coolant health prediction identifies degradation risks 2 weeks in advance and proactively alerts O&M personnel.

• Expansion tank self-check:

Traditional CDU:
Manual inspection by professionals required, time-consuming, with pressure stabilization and replenishment interrupted and no safety guarantee.

Huawei TMU:
Supports online one-button self-inspection, total duration ≤10 minutes, manual operation ≤1 minute, reliable and efficient.

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III. Outstanding Energy Efficiency

• Cooling-power joint control:

Traditional CDU:
Regulated based on water temperature, cooling response time 60s, lagging and large fluctuations.

Huawei TMU:
Upgraded to “real-time electrical signal control”, cooling response time shortened to 5s, suppressing water temperature fluctuations, enabling higher coolant supply temperature and significantly reducing cooling source energy consumption.

• High-efficiency plate heat exchanger:

Traditional CDU:
Approach temperature 4–8℃, high cooling source energy consumption.

Huawei TMU:
Adopts high-efficiency plate heat exchanger with approach down to 3℃ under standard working conditions, reducing primary-side cooling power consumption by 3%–15%.

• AI Intelligent Optimization:

Traditional CDU:
Passive operation without system-level efficiency optimization.

Huawei TMU:
AI-powered system-level intelligent group control and optimization improves overall liquid cooling system energy efficiency by 30%, achieving ultimate energy saving.

Mega-Bay® | Scalable high-performance cooling for sustainable data centers

As artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and accelerating data growth redefine hyperscale infrastructure, Kelvion has developed Mega-Bay® — a purpose-built, modular heat rejection platform engineered to meet the evolving performance, efficiency and resilience demands of next-generation data centres.

The rapid expansion of AI, automation and large-scale data processing is transforming hyperscale facilities into mission-critical assets of the global digital economy. Rising rack densities, increasing adoption of liquid cooling and ever-growing compute loads are driving unprecedented demands on thermal management systems. At the same time, operators must meet ambitious sustainability targets, reducing both energy and water consumption while guaranteeing uninterrupted uptime. Delivering scalable, energy-efficient, and highly reliable cooling under these conditions represents one of the industry’s greatest engineering challenges.

The Mega-Bay® heat rejection, system has been developed specifically to address this new generation of data centre requirements. Combining advanced heat exchanger engineering with a pre-engineered, modular platform, Mega-Bay® enables rapid global deployment, fast quoting, and reliable and repeatable project execution. Factory-assembled and fully function-tested, the system brings industrial-scale quality and reliability to hyperscale cooling infrastructure while significantly reducing on-site installation time and commissioning complexity.

• With cooling capacities ranging from 1.5 to 4 MW per module, Mega-Bay® provides seamless scalability, allowing operators to expand capacity in step with growing data center demand while maintaining optimal Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE).
• A defining innovation of the Mega-Bay® platform is its high-efficiency airflow design; built around a small number of very large-diameter axial fans, up to 14 feet in diameter.
• These fans, with their optimised blade geometry and variable speed control, deliver superior aerodynamic efficiency, and significantly reduce specific fan power.
• The result is lower overall energy consumption, reduced noise emissions, and extended mechanical life compared to conventional multi-fan systems.
• By concentrating airflow generation into fewer, high-performance units, the system reduces electrical and mechanical infrastructure complexity while improving serviceability and long-term operational stability.
• The modular architecture of Mega-Bay® also enables robust redundancy strategies such as N 1 or N 2 at module level, ensuring that required cooling capacity can be maintained even in the event of component or fan failure.
• Integrated maintenance platforms eliminate the need for cranes after installation, allowing safe and efficient servicing without operational disruption.
• Plug-and-play controls support rapid system integration and commissioning, enabling faster deployment timelines for hyperscale and colocation operators, and elevated air intake and guided discharge geometry prevent hot air recirculation and ensure stable thermal performance even under high ambient temperatures and dense thermal loads.
• This enables the Mega-Bay to be installed directly adjacent to one another, achieving high capacity, high density cooling 'arrays' without the need for traditional airflow and maintenance allowances between units.
• In terms of cooling capacity kW per m2, the Mega-Bay is the future's solution to the density challenge.
• Designed for low approach temperatures up to minimum 4K,, Mega-Bay® maximises the use of free cooling while seamlessly supporting chiller-assisted operation and the rapidly increasing demand from liquid cooling environments.
• Its high cooling capacity per module reduces the number of required units, lowering footprint, installation complexity, and lifecycle costs, while its robust construction ensures long service life under demanding operating conditions.
• Rather than being selected for its physical scale, Mega-Bay® is chosen for its ability to streamline plant design, operate with exceptional efficiency, and deliver consistent, reliable performance as thermal loads continue to rise.

In summary, Mega-Bay® represents a breakthrough in data centre cooling — combining high energy efficiency, high density, high capacity, and high, mission critical resiliency and reliability; in a scalable and deployment-ready solution. It enables operators to meet sustainability goals, support next-generation compute demands, and ensure continuous cooling performance in an increasingly demanding digital world

CBRE: Leading the Way in Data Center Facility Excellence

CBRE are pleased to enter this award for ‘Data Centre Facilities Vendor of the Year’. Our submission is driven by the CBRE Data Center Solutions outstanding market position, commitment to advancing the industry, and exceptional track record of performance. We provide engineering, FM, and IT services to more than 200 data center providers and 700 data centers, surpassing industry benchmarks such as 5x9's operating standards. As one of the largest employers in the data center sector, CBRE employs over 5,000 dedicated data center experts who have significantly supported customers and propelled the entire market forward through customer proximity and innovative strength. In the last 18 months, we have successfully transitioned over 700MW of brand-new data center real estate from construction to live site operations and enabled the entry of 400 new employees from adjacent industries into the data center market sector. To address the industry's shortage of data center experts, we continuously strive to attract and train talent. CBRE has trained over 2,600 data center professionals and increased our engineering team by 20% to meet the industry's growth demands. We have created more job opportunities across the industry, positively impacting the war on talent. In addition, we have expanded our service offering across our end-to-end delivery model, resulting in increased solutions and client outcomes for a wide range of needs. We have successfully delivered operations and projects to Hyperscalers, Enterprise, Co-Location, and Telecommunications and Infrastructure providers. Our services have evolved to meet the demands of shareholders and stakeholders, bringing operational advancements, sophisticated outsource models, and addressing matters of ESG and Capital Investment. This expanded scope has allowed us to be true partners and influence client business strategies.

What are your company's key distinguishing features and/or USP? CBRE Data Center Solutions' key distinguishing features and unique selling propositions (USPs) include:

• DCS Shield Program: This proprietary risk management platform is central to our operations, significantly reducing downtime and human error. The DCS Shield ensures high reliability and performance with a global uptime rate of 99.99968%.
• Comprehensive Service Offering: We provide a full range of data center lifecycle services including engineering, FM, and IT services to over 200 data center providers and 700 data centers globally. This includes everything from extensive maintenance and project capabilities to energy optimization and analytic insights.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: We have a strong focus on innovation with initiatives like the Innovation Charter, Smart FM, and significant investments in R&D. Our commitment to leveraging digital technologies, machine learning, and AI ensures we stay ahead of the curve.
• Global Reach and Scale: Operating in 45 countries with over 5,000 dedicated data center professionals, CBRE has a robust market presence and the ability to deliver consistent, high-quality services across the globe.
• People-Centric Approach: With a strong emphasis on training, development, and retention, CBRE ensures that our employees are highly skilled and motivated. Our programs like DCS Select, Human Factors Training, and a diverse and inclusive recruitment process, help us attract and retain the best talent.
• Customer-Centric Performance Management: Through tools like the Balanced Scorecard, Annual Customer Satisfaction Surveys, and Monthly Net Promoter Scores, we continuously track and improve our service delivery to meet client expectations effectively.
• Sustainability and ESG Commitment: We focus on energy optimization and sustainability, helping clients meet their environmental goals while optimizing operational performance.
• Strong Track Record and Market Leadership: With over 700MW of new data center real estate transitioned and a customer retention rate of 98%, our proven track record demonstrates reliability and effectiveness in meeting industry demands.

What tangible impact has your company had on the market and your customers? CBRE has had a significant tangible impact on the market and our customers through a variety of initiatives and achievements:

• Growth and Financial Stability:
  • Achieved a turnover exceeding $1 billion, reflecting robust financial growth and stability.
  • Expanded our portfolio by securing both global and local contracts.
• DCS Shield Program:
  • Over 700MW of new data centre real estate transitioned, helping meet global growth demands.
  • Achieved and maintained a global uptime rate of 99.99968%, demonstrating high reliability and performance.
  • Reduced downtime and human error incidents, ensuring optimal operational performance for our clients.
• Innovation and Technology:
  • Implementation of the DCS Shield tool suite adopted by over 150 clients globally, enabling speed to market and global consistency.
  • Development of Smart FM solutions, which leverage people, processes, and integrated technology to improve FM delivery, reduce energy consumption, and meet client goals.
  • Investments in R&D leading to advancements in Smart FM, Risk Management, and predictive strategies through machine learning and AI.
• Training and Development:
  • Trained over 3,000 employees through Human Factors programs.
  • Developed over 250 leaders through Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) programs.
  • Transitioned 250 technicians from outside industries into data centre professions.
• Client Satisfaction and Retention:
  • 98% customer retention rate, showcasing our commitment to client satisfaction.
  • 20% YOY business growth, indicating strong market impact and customer trust.
• Employee Well-Being and Growth:
  • Created a positive workplace culture, ensuring employees feel valued and appreciated.
  • Implemented the Be Well initiative to support employee well-being on a global scale.
  • Recognition and reward programs to boost employee morale and retention.
• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency:
  • Focused on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions through Smart FM solutions.
  • Developed Quantum Glass technology for enhanced data visibility, streamlined operations, and improved risk management.

What levels of customer service differentiate you from your competitors. CBRE differentiates itself from competitors through several key levels of customer service:

• Annual Performance Reviews: We conduct formal performance reviews with our clients and senior management, using a Balanced Scorecard process to document trends, improvements, and opportunities for enhancement.
• Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey: We engage Kingsley, a third-party firm, to assess client satisfaction annually. This helps us develop immediate action plans for areas needing attention.
• Monthly Net Promoter Scores: We ask clients to complete monthly NPS questionnaires, which are tracked, reviewed, and reported to client leadership. This process is aimed at improving service delivery continually.
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Through initiatives like the Innovation Charter and DCS Shield, we drive continuous improvement and innovation in our service delivery. These programs help us maintain high performance and reliability standards.
• Proactive Monitoring and Management: Our DCS Shield program provides proactive monitoring and management of critical facility infrastructure, improving uptime and optimizing operational performance.
• Employee Training and Development: We invest heavily in training and development, ensuring our employees are highly skilled and motivated. This includes programs like Human Factors training, ILM programs, and targeted recruitment through DCS Select.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We prioritize a diverse and inclusive work environment, reflecting the diversity of our clients and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
• Employee Well-Being and Recognition: We focus on employee well-being through programs like Be Well and recognize outstanding performance through various reward and recognition strategies.
• Comprehensive Service Offering: We offer a full range of data center lifecycle services, from extensive maintenance and project capabilities to energy optimization and analytic insights.
• Client Partnership and Collaboration: We work closely with clients, forming joint charters and aligning with their goals to achieve global consistency and success.

These levels of customer service ensure that CBRE not only meets but exceeds client expectations, fostering long-term partnerships and driving continuous improvement and innovation.

What are the major differentiators between your company and your primary competitors? Our major differentiators include:

• DCS Shield Program: CBRE's proprietary risk management platform, DCS Shield, is a cornerstone of our operations, providing proactive monitoring and management of critical facility infrastructure. This program has significantly reduced downtime and human error, ensuring a 99.99968% uptime rate across our global portfolio.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: We are committed to driving innovation through initiatives like Smart FM, which leverages data-driven decisions and connected technology to enhance operational efficiencies. Our Innovation Charter ensures a structured approach to fostering new ideas and best practices.
• People and Talent Management: CBRE invests heavily in attracting, training, and retaining top talent. Our robust training programs, including Human Factors Training and ILM programs, along with initiatives like DCS Select for recruitment, ensure we have the best talent in the industry. We also focus on diversity and inclusion, creating a supportive and inclusive work environment.
• Comprehensive Service Offering: We provide a full range of data center lifecycle services, from maintenance and project management to energy optimization and analytic insights. This end-to-end service model allows us to meet a wide array of client needs and deliver customized solutions.
• Client-Centric Approach: Our commitment to customer satisfaction is evident through our structured performance reviews, customer satisfaction surveys, and continuous improvement processes. We maintain a 98% customer retention rate and a 20% year-over-year business growth.
• Global Scale and Expertise: With over 5,000 data center professionals operating in 45 countries, we have the global reach and local expertise to support our clients' needs anywhere in the world. Our extensive experience and best practices developed from operating over 700 data centers ensure optimal performance for our customers.

These differentiators set CBRE apart from our competitors, allowing us to deliver world-class data center services consistently and effectively.

Please supply any supportive quotes and/or case study materials to demonstrate the position of your company in the market.

Paul Hood, Chief Operating Officer - Global Data Centre Operations at Yondr Group: We are absolutely delighted with our partnership with CBRE throughout our Global portfolio. Their collaborative mindset and dedication to our shared vision have been pivotal in our journey to enhance our capabilities at scale and pace, essential in today's dynamic data centre market. From aligning with our goals to achieve global consistency, CBRE continues to meet our expectations. Their commitment to efficiency, cost savings, and constructive challenge has strategically positioned us for success. Together, we've established a mature, collaborative approach, reinforced by a joint charter that guides us at every level of our organizations. As we look ahead, we're incredibly optimistic about the future and the continued success of our partnership. Our journey has begun with great excitement, and we are grateful to have CBRE alongside us every step of the way.

Steve Webb, Data Centre Operations and Sustainability Director at Global Technical Realty: We began our partnership with CBRE several years ago, and we have been impressed with the exceptional level of service and attitude. Their contribution to our business goes far beyond our initial expectations, as they have made a significant impact to our transition. The CBRE team demonstrated a deep understanding of our unique needs and challenges and provides us with the most effective and accurate solutions to address our specific requirements. Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in enhancing our operations and driving our success. As the data centre industry continues to evolve rapidly, our partnership has been positioned for long-term success.

Case Study 1: Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Sustainability for Confidential Financial Services Client

Background: Our client, a global financial services company, sought to optimise its operations in construction materials procurement, operational costs, data center management, and sustainability initiatives. The objective was to enhance service delivery while achieving significant cost savings and maintaining high client satisfaction.

Key Achievements:

• Reduced Lead Time for Construction Materials: By implementing a streamlined procurement process, we successfully reduced the lead time for construction materials by an impressive 59 weeks. This initiative not only expedited project timelines but also resulted in substantial savings of $1.8 million.
• Operational Cost Optimization:
  • Optimised Staffing Models: Adjusted workforce allocation to meet demand efficiently.
  • Improved Maintenance Procedures: Enhanced maintenance protocols decreased downtime and increased productivity.
  • Enhanced Vendor Management: Strengthened relationships with suppliers led to better pricing and service levels.
• Uninterrupted Data Center Operations: CBRE maintained an exceptional 99.999% uptime across all managed data centers for this client. This reliability ensured uninterrupted service for their critical operations, reinforcing the company’s commitment to operational excellence and client trust.
• Sustainability Initiatives: CBRE implemented energy-saving initiatives on this client’s data centre sites, that successfully resulted in a 10% reduction in energy consumption. These efforts not only contributed to cost savings but also aligned with their sustainability goals, promoting a greener operational footprint.
• High Client Satisfaction: CBRE achieved a remarkable client satisfaction score of 95% within the first year of these operational improvements. This score reflects the high quality of service provided and the commitment to meeting client needs effectively.

Conclusion: Through strategic initiatives in procurement, operational cost reduction, data center management, and sustainability, CBRE has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing operational efficiency while delivering exceptional value to this financial services client. These efforts have not only resulted in significant cost savings but have also established them as a leader in operational excellence and sustainability.

Case Study 2: Enabling Rapid Expansion for a Colocation Client through Streamlined Operations

Client Overview: Our client, a rapidly expanding global corporation, sought to appoint an operations partner to enhance consistency across their rapidly growing data centre portfolio. Facing the challenges of managing operations in multiple regions, they recognised the need for a partner with established tools and processes to facilitate a smoother launch and ongoing management.

Challenge: The client aimed to establish a uniform operational framework that could be implemented globally without incurring the high overhead costs associated with developing their own systems. They required a reliable partner who could provide immediate support in recruitment, process implementation, and supply chain management.

Solution: Leveraging our extensive expertise and local networks, we provided a comprehensive solution that addressed the client’s operational needs:

• Recruitment of Local Managers and Site Teams: We utilised our established presence in key markets to recruit experienced local managers and site teams. This ensured that operations were led by individuals who understood the local context and could drive performance effectively.
• Consistent Processes and Procedures Implementation: From day one, we implemented standardised processes and procedures across all sites. This approach not only enhanced operational efficiency but also ensured uniformity in service delivery, allowing the client to maintain brand integrity.
• Engagement with Local Supply Chain Partners: By leveraging our local supply chain relationships, we facilitated partnerships with suppliers offering competitive pricing and shorter lead times. This strategic engagement reduced costs and improved service delivery timelines, benefiting the client’s bottom line.

Results:

• A rapid operational launch across multiple locations, significantly reducing time-to-market.
• Streamlined processes that improved operational efficiency by 30%.
• Cost savings of 20% through better supply chain management and local partnerships.
• Increased client satisfaction due to consistent service delivery and quicker response times.

Conclusion: By partnering with us, this colocation client successfully navigated the complexities of scaling their operations while maintaining consistency and reducing overhead. Our tools, processes, and local expertise proved invaluable in establishing a robust operational framework that supports their ongoing growth and success.

Huawei Data Center Facility and Critical Power

• What are your company's key distinguishing features and/or USP?

The intelligent era has witnessed a surge in demand for computing power, driving the construction of AIDC infrastructure.

However, this also brings challenges in reliability, energy consumption, delivery, and smooth evolution.

As a global pioneer in AIDC infrastructure, Huawei Digital Power has reconstructed the four core systems of power supply, cooling, energy storage, and operations to provide a highly reliable, energy-efficient, fast-delivered, and fully compatible end-to-end AIDC solution, maximizing tokens per watt and powering the AI era forward.

Our core competitive strengths lie in three key aspects:

• Leading R&D Capabilities:
Investing 20% of its annual revenue in R&D, Huawei Digital Power focuses on core technology innovation for data centers, achieving full-stack independent R&D spanning from key components and system architectures to intelligent algorithms.

Leveraging profound technical accumulation and rich practical experience, Huawei Digital Power continuously launches full-scenario product solutions covering power supply and distribution systems, cooling systems, modular data centers, prefabricated data centers, and intelligent management systems, leading industry development with solid technological strength.

• Open Global Ecosystem:
Ecosystem collaboration is the key to win-win success in the AI era.

Adhering to openness and win-win principles, Huawei Digital Power joins hands with high-quality global ecosystem partners to integrate industrial resources, providing one-stop AIDC solutions covering consulting, design, development and integration & delivery, driving the coordinated development and value upgrading of the industrial ecosystem.

• Global Professional Services:
Huawei Digital Power has built a service network covering over 170 countries, with a team of more than 1,800 professional engineers providing 24/7 technical support.

Leveraging N flagship service centers, we have created a “1-hour service circle”, ensuring reliable and efficient O&M of AI data centers with fast response and expert support.

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• What tangible impact has your company had on the market and your customers?

With over 30 years of experience in data center construction and full-lifecycle operation, Huawei Digital Power has built a comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions that are widely used in various industries, including colocation, OTT, carriers, finance, government, manufacturing, and transportation, etc.

To date, in collaboration with our global ecosystem partners, Huawei Digital Power has successfully delivered over 1000 large-scale data center projects worldwide, providing more than 16GW of capacity.

According to authoritative research institutions Frost & Sullivan, Huawei's modular UPS (UPS5000) has ranked No. 1 in global market share for ten consecutive years, our modular data center (FusionModule) has ranked No. 1 in global market share for eight consecutive years, our lithium-ion battery (SmartLi) has ranked No. 1 in global market share for four consecutive years.

This consistent top ranking is clear proof of our superior technology, highly reliable products and customer-centric solutions.

Looking ahead, Huawei Digital Power will continue to increase R&D investment in digital technologies and power electronics technologies, advancing the development of end-to-end AI data center solutions.

Leveraging highly reliable products, robust global ecosystem collaboration, and professional full-lifecycle service support, we are poised to empower more customers to navigate the era of intelligent computing and to drive sustainable development of the AIDC infrastructure industry.

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• What levels of customer service differentiate you from your competitors?

Rooted in a customer-centric approach, Huawei Digital Power adheres to a being integrated strategy and collaborates with upstream and downstream partners across the industry chain to build end-to-end AIDC solutions, delivering sustained value for customers.

• In the conceptual design phase, Huawei Digital Power works with consulting and design partners to carry out integrated design and simulation of power supply, cooling systems and cabinet layouts.

This avoids rework caused by space constraints or uneven heat dissipation in later stages, greatly shortening TTM while supporting smooth business expansion.

• In the delivery phase, Huawei Digital Power leverages its self-developed core products and teams up with solution development partners to provide customers with one-stop optimal solutions that precisely match their needs.

Meanwhile, Huawei Digital Power cooperates with EPC partners to connect the entire delivery and project management chain, ensuring high-quality and rapid project delivery.

This ecosystem cooperation mode has been successfully deployed across key regions including the Asia-Pacific and Europe, shortening the AI data center TTM from 18 months to just 10 months and accelerating customer AI service rollout.

• In the operation and maintenance phase, unlike traditional data centers that rely on manual troubleshooting after failures, Huawei’s AIDC solutions use AI algorithms to predict and identify equipment malfunctions proactively.

This approach shifts data center operations from reactive response to predictive maintenance, minimizing downtime and maximizing operational efficiency for customers.

In short, Huawei Digital Power is not just a data center vendor, but a long-term strategic partner that creates practical value throughout the entire AIDC project lifecycle.

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• What are the major differentiators between your company and your primary competitors?

The era of intelligent computing is approaching.

AI applications are widely used in various industries.

As the demand for computing power grows rapidly, data centers are faced with new development opportunities.

However, they also face four major challenges: reliability, energy consumption, delivery, and smooth evolution.

based on extensive exploration and long-term practice, Huawei Digital Power reconstructs the AIDC architecture for the four core subsystems of power supply, cooling, energy storage, and operations, as well as the construction mode to provide a highly reliable, energy-efficient, fast-delivered, and fully compatible AIDC solution, maximizing tokens per watt and powering the AI era forward.

• Power supply subsystem for AIDC:
Diversified computing power drives diversified power supply system architectures for data centers.

Low-density computing still relies on alternating current (AC) power, while direct current (DC) solutions will gradually take over in high-density data center scenarios with cabinet power density exceeding 300kW.

Through innovations in power supply from the grid to components and by productizing power supply links, Huawei Digital Power has developed a high-density, high-efficiency, and reliable integrated PowerPOD solution to facilitate rapid AIDC delivery.

• Energy storage subsystem for AIDC:
As data centers are increasingly confronted with energy shortage challenges, grid-forming energy storage systems (ESS) emerge as a vital solution to ensure reliable power supply.

Through innovations in energy storage from campuses to chips, Huawei Digital Power has built a full-lifecycle multi-level storage architecture that has effectively addressed long-term energy storage needs in AIDC and short-term AI workload fluctuations.

• Cooling subsystem for AIDC:
Liquid cooling systems have become a must-have for AI data centers.

Through innovations in heat dissipation from components to the outdoor environment and by productizing cooling links, Huawei Digital Power has built an efficient, reliable, and intelligent integrated IT POD solution to help AIDCs achieve efficient and highly reliable cooling.

• AI for DC intelligent operations:
AI is leveraged to enhance data centers, improving AIDC safety and energy efficiency throughout the lifecycle.

AI for safety: Fault prediction and identification facilitate the transition from passive response to predictive maintenance.

AI for energy efficiency: Intelligent coordination and optimization of cooling and power supply reduce energy consumption.

Arcem – Secure, Sustainable and Scalable Nordic Powered land provider

Arcem — Nordic Data Centre Development Platform

Key Distinguishing Features / Unique Selling Proposition

Arcem provides development-ready, power-secured sites for the data centre market, acting as an upstream enabler rather than a direct operator. Key USPs include:

• Development-Ready Sites: Arcem identifies, secures, and progresses land suitable for data centre development, including grid capacity and permitting readiness.
• Upstream Market Enablement: Supports hosting and co-location operators by mitigating early-stage risks such as land scarcity, grid congestion, and complex permitting processes.
• Data-Driven Site Selection: Uses geospatial screening, early land control via option and exclusivity agreements, and coordination with grid operators to ensure project feasibility.
• Power-Secured Sites: Confirms or reserves grid capacity to allow operators to deploy hosting and co-location services efficiently.
• Structured Development Pathways: Prepares sites for multiple future delivery models, including operator-led development, joint ventures, or site disposals.
• Sustainability Integration: Focuses on regions (Norway and Finland) with high shares of carbon-free electricity, stable grids, and favourable climatic conditions to support long-term efficiency and low environmental impact.

Tangible Market and Customer Impact

• Reduced future time-to-market for new data centre capacity by delivering development-ready sites.
• Enabled operators to focus on construction, fit-out, and service delivery rather than early-stage land and grid risks.
• Advanced multiple sites to high development maturity, including secured land positions, confirmed grid capacity, and clear zoning/permitting pathways.
• Engaged with operators, investors, municipalities, and grid authorities to create commercially viable, scalable development pathways.

Major Differentiators vs Competitors

• Arcem does not operate data centres or provide hosting services, allowing it to focus solely on upstream market enablement.
• Data-driven, structured approach to site origination, securing, and development reduces early-stage risk for operators.
• Ability to prepare sites for multiple delivery and monetisation models adds flexibility and market resilience.
• Sustainability-focused site selection ensures lower operating costs, reduced environmental impact, and access to renewable energy.
• Geographical focus on Nordic regions with reliable grids, carbon-free electricity, and favourable climatic conditions positions Arcem for long-term strategic advantage.

Conclusion

By originating, securing, and progressing development-ready, power-secured data centre sites, Arcem enables hosting and co-location providers to deploy infrastructure efficiently and sustainably. Its upstream role reduces early-stage risk, accelerates time-to-market, and supports environmentally responsible data centre development in the Nordic region. This unique position underpins Arcem’s entry for Data Centre Hosting / Co-location Supplier of the Year.

The North's Colocation Powerhouse

Introduction

In an industry often dominated by data centres located in the south of the UK, Stellium Datacenters represents a compelling case for why northern England is ideally suited to meet growing global digital demands — combining infrastructure resilience, sustainability, connectivity, and regional talent to create a powerful digital hub for now and the future.

• Stellium is currently the largest fully operational Tier III HPC datacenter in the AI growth zone in the North East and is playing a key role in positioning the region as a crucial hub for 21st-century digital infrastructure.
• Stellium’s strategic vision is further strengthened by Newcastle’s exceptional quality of life, affordability and robust transport connections, making it a highly attractive proposition for both domestic and international technology companies. Local universities are providing dedicated AI education and a steady stream of graduates.
• Stellium Datacenters forms part of the UK Government’s North East AI Growth Zone (announced September 2025). Located on Cobalt Business Park, close to Newcastle, this followed Stellium’s close collaboration on a joint submission with the North East Combined Authority and its engaging closely with government bodies to position Newcastle as one of the premier destinations for AI infrastructure.

Founded in 2016, the 80MW, 4,264 square metres Tier 3 Stellium campus has differentiated itself from the congested southern UK regions by offering robust, scalable services backed by substantial power resources designed to scale to 500MWs, and unique connectivity. This is making it ideally suited to supporting the exponential demand for High Performance Computing (HPC) as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) workloads.

The Stellium facility has achieved multiple data centre and network ISO certifications and in 2024 became one of the first data centres in the UK to achieve Open Compute Project (OPC) compliance.

Power

Unlike London’s saturated market, particularly in Slough, where strained infrastructure concerns are already front of mind, Stellium offers a reliable alternative, supported by its own 275 kV substation, enabling it to directly meet and control high-density computing demands essential for emerging technologies such as AI and high-performance computing (HPC). In the 20 years of the Cobalt Business Parks operation there has never been an unplanned electrical outage.

Beyond its abundant direct from grid 100 % renewable sourced power connection, Stellium also has access to renewable energy from nearby offshore wind farm projects like Blyth and very soon, Dogger Bank, further bolstering its sustainability credentials. Its proximity to Dogger Bank – the largest off-shore windfarm in the world at 1.2GW capacity - will be strategic in linking this power to local users and the national grid.

Dense Connectivity

Stellium is the only UK data centre with a secure Subsea Fibre Cable landing station for housing the world’s latest subsea cable networks.

The Stellium site benefits from having two subsea cable landing stations — the NO-UK cable connecting to the Nordics and mainland Europe, and the North Atlantic Loop linking the UK to Europe and North America (AquaComms). Furthermore, the carrier-neutral campus is actively increasing the number of Tier I carriers all the time, providing customers more opportunities for choice and greater value.

These low latency connections combine with Stellium’s own 40 km open, carrier-neutral metropolitan fibre network to achieve several outcomes:

• Enhancing the Newcastle City high speed network by enabling local full fibre networking (LFFN)
• Facilitating connectivity to long haul Internet locations such as London
• Enabling 5G services

Therefore, driving the North East Combined Authority objectives of the Digital Economy. Additionally, Stellium’s onsite Newcastle internet exchange point (NCL-IX) provides exceptionally low latency, further enhancing Stellium’s appeal to global and national clients.

Open Compute Project Leadership – Immersion Liquid Cooling

In May 2025 the site was chosen by the OCP as its first UK Experience Center to showcase state-of-the-art immersion cooling proof of concept for the Open Compute Project (OCP). The retrofit solution followed Stellium’s certification in 2023 as among the first UK data centres certified to support OCP HPC AI infrastructure.

Combining solutions from Submer, MiTAC, AMD, and ExxonMobil, among others, Stellium offers a cooling method where hardware is immersed in a specially designed coolant. This innovative solution absorbs and dissipates heat efficiently, significantly reducing energy consumption and supporting higher-density compute deployments. Immersion cooling is now available to HPC customers as a further cooling option, in addition to Rear Door and Direct to Chip liquid cooling solutions.

Sustainability credentials

Stellium’s location in the North East is one of the lowest carbon intensity regions in the United Kingdom (source: National Grid ESO) and operates in more favourable ambient temperatures than London, rarely exceeding 22 deg C v London’s 32 deg C (June 2023). This allows lower cooling costs from a PUE of sub 1.2 for immersion and liquid cooling applications.

Stellium has deployed design and operational innovations to help achieve higher energy efficiency within our data centre. These include:

• Excellent BREEAM rating
• Cooling: As part of Stellium’s OCP Ready™ provision, it can provide HPC cooling of client racks from 10 to 200kW using in-row/rear door chilled water cooling. Bespoke designs can be supported for fully immersive cooling beyond 200kW per rack
• Battery storage and solar solution – an initial scheme comprises a containerized 2.3MWh battery storage solution and rooftop solar PV system connecting to Stellium’s electrical infrastructure. The scheme will be expandable when required and carbon reduction is currently around 125.9Mt of Co2 per annum.
• Stellium has developed (with a service partner) a scheme to go-off national grid power during defined periods of grid peak loads. This scalable solution will grow with the load development of the data centre and will provide substantial support to the grid, create tangible tariff relief and contribute considerably to our ISO 14001 Environmental Management scope 1.
• Hosting an onshore substation for the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Wind Farm - currently operational with 5 turbines generating over 40MW capacity with potential to expand
• Hydro Power: Supporting the North Sea link Project – a UK / Norway interconnector
• As part of ISO 14001, a program of recycling of end of life elements and waste is in place
• Stellium’s generators operate on HVO (hydrogenated Vegetable Oil). This product is 90% Carbon free.

Compliance and accreditations

These include OCP Ready™ certification, ISO-27001 Information Security, ISO-14001 Environmental Management, ISO-9001 Quality Management, ISO-20000 IT Service Management and ISO-22301 Business Continuity Management certification along with PSN Network and Cyber Essentials certifications.

Testimonials

“We’re pleased to recognise Stellium as the first OCP Experience Center in the UK focused on immersion. This site provides a realistic environment for testing and validating Submer’s OCP-aligned liquid immersion technologies using open hardware platforms. It supports OCP’s broader goal of enabling data center operators and solution providers to assess efficiency, integration, and operational readiness for HPC and AI workloads.”

— Steve Helvie, VP of Emerging Markets, Open Compute Project

“Selected Northern data centres such as Stellium are becoming a strong proposition as a connectivity hub by providing access to fibre, dark fibre, Internet Exchanges (IXPs) and subsea cables – offering low latency local, national and international communications.”

— Senior Research Analyst, Data Centres, CBRE

DL Invest Group & Boosteroid Next-generation AI- and gaming-native data centre infrastructure for Europe

The strategic partnership between DL Invest Group and Boosteroid introduces a fundamentally new model for data centre hosting and colocation—purpose-built from the ground up for cloud gaming, AI, HPC, and real-time workloads, rather than adapted from legacy colocation architectures. DL Invest Park AI Bielsko has been conceived as a hyperscale-ready AI and cloud campus, offering ultra-high power density, liquid-cooling readiness, and modular scalability up to 200 MW of IT load. From day one, the infrastructure is designed to support GPU-intensive environments, enabling AI training and inference, cloud-native services, and latency-sensitive applications.

Boosteroid, one of the world’s largest independent cloud gaming platforms, operating across more than 120 data centres globally, contributes:

• A proven operating model
• Deep expertise in GPU virtualisation
• Experience in scaling platforms for millions of users

This significantly reduces execution risk while accelerating time-to-market for hyperscale and platform clients.

The first phase of the project includes two dedicated data centre locations in Poland, delivering ultra-low-latency connectivity across Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. This positions the campus as a natural interconnection hub for Central Europe. Subsequent phases envisage pan-European expansion, with the Bielsko-Biała campus serving as a reference architecture and proof-of-concept for future deployments.

What truly differentiates the project is the tight integration of:

• Owned power infrastructure with direct energy sourcing
• An AI-first architectural approach
• Flexible commercial models including wholesale, build-to-suit, and dedicated campus solutions
• A long-term owner-operator structure ensuring operational stability

Together, these elements establish a new benchmark for innovation in hosting and colocation—aligning hyperscale technical requirements with resilient infrastructure, sustainability, and long-term operational excellence.

nLighten introduces nConnect

nLighten, a leading digital infrastructure platform and a frontrunner in the European edge data center market, has launched nConnect, its new network service platform. This solution delivers versatile network services across all nConnect enabled nLighten data centers throughout Europe.

Through the nConnect platform businesses can seamlessly connect to data centers, internet, and cloud providers, ensuring high-performance and low-latency access across Europe. Built on a resilient, route-diverse network spanning 12 of nLighten’s 34 edge data center locations, the platform is supported by the latest data center networking architecture.

nConnect provides clients with a range of services, including Cloud Connect, DC Connect, Direct Internet Access (DIA), and IP Transit (IPT), all seamlessly integrating with their presence in nLighten data centers. This ensures effortless connectivity and streamlined network integration, offering clients:

• Quick provisioning and flexible bandwidth options
• Latest data center networking architecture supporting segmentation, DDoS protection, and advanced analytics
• Standardized SLA and pricing model with no long-term contracts
• One-stop shop for multiple services, reducing complexity and costs.

Joachim van Collenburg, VP of Product Management at nLighten, highlights the advantages of nConnect:

“With nConnect, customers benefit from ultra-fast provisioning, flexible bandwidth options, and the latest data center networking architecture. This is particularly valuable for businesses looking to establish an edge performance hub in a new region or enterprises seeking cost-effective disaster recovery solutions with built-in geo-redundancy.”

Expanding Connectivity Across Key European Markets

nConnect is now available in four of the seven markets where nLighten operates, including:

• The Netherlands: Amsterdam (AMS1 and AMS2)
• Germany: Frankfurt (FRA1)
• France: Paris (PAR2)
• United Kingdom: Birmingham (BHX1), Bristol (BRS1), Chester (MAN1), Leeds (LBA1), Liverpool (PLP1), Milton Keynes (LTN1), Nottingham (EMA1), and Swindon (BRS2).

A phased rollout to additional nLighten edge data centers is planned later this year, ensuring low latency and high-performance connectivity across Europe.

Q-Elite Platform

Quantum Automation – Q-Elite Platform

Quantum Automation is excited to introduce the Q-Elite Platform, offering extreme automation capabilities across Data Centers, Enterprise Networks, ISPs, Telecom, Cloud environments, and applications. The platform streamlines repetitive tasks and provides built-in key features:

Key Features

• Infrastructure Auto Discovery
• API-based Automation
• Incident Auto-Heal & Task Scheduling
• Execution of 9 Automation Script Types: .yaml, .yml, .py, .rb, .pl, .sh, .lua, .groovy, .tf
• Infrastructure Inventory Discovery
• Device Inter-Reachability
• Niche Playbook Repository
• Real-Time Device/VM CPU Utilization
• Link & Bandwidth Utilization, Latency Monitoring
• Device Configuration Comparison
• Observability Trace Identification
• Containerized (Docker) Development with Zero-Touch Deployment on-premises, Data Center & Cloud

Recognition

The Q-Elite Platform has been registered on the Gartner Portal, highlighting its industry relevance and credibility.

Learn More

• Product Demo & Presentation: https://quantuma.ai/product.html
• Product Webinar Recording: Watch Here
• Contact: connect@quantuma.ai

We look forward to discussing your automation expectations and demonstrating how Q-Elite can transform your operations.

Regards,
Quantum Automation

Cloud Automation

The project was initiated to address fundamental inefficiencies in cloud infrastructure provisioning and service delivery, which were limiting scalability, agility, and customer experience.

Prior to this transformation, provisioning processes at Turk Telekom relied heavily on manual workflows spanning multiple systems and service platforms. Infrastructure requests, account creation, billing operations, and service activation were handled across disconnected interfaces, often requiring human intervention at each stage. As a result, infrastructure provisioning times could extend up to 5–7 days, creating operational bottlenecks and limiting service flexibility.

The strategic objective of the project was to build a fully automated, orchestrated, and service-integrated cloud provisioning platform that could dramatically reduce time-to-service, eliminate manual dependencies, and enable a modern consumption-based cloud operating model.

To achieve this, Turk Telekom designed and implemented an end-to-end automation and orchestration layer that integrates multiple infrastructure and platform services into a unified provisioning workflow. Through this architecture, infrastructure provisioning is now seamlessly coordinated across compute, networking, security, backup, and billing systems via a single orchestration interface. This integration-driven approach ensures that infrastructure resources are provisioned consistently, securely, and without manual intervention.

A key pillar of the solution is the self-service cloud portal, which enables customers to independently provision infrastructure, manage resources, monitor usage, and scale services on demand. What previously required multiple operational touchpoints can now be completed in minutes through automated workflows. As a result, average provisioning times have been reduced by over 90%, while operational effort per request has decreased significantly.

The platform also introduced a pay-as-you-go billing model, a pioneering capability in Turkey’s enterprise cloud market. By shifting away from fixed monthly pricing, customers gained full transparency and real-time control over cloud costs, aligning infrastructure consumption directly with business demand. This flexibility accelerated cloud adoption and improved cost efficiency across customer environments.

From an infrastructure perspective, the platform is designed as an open and extensible architecture. It already integrates with multiple virtualization, networking, backup, and security services, and in 2025–2026 it will be further enhanced through native OpenStack integration. This upcoming integration will enable standardized, API-driven infrastructure provisioning, improved interoperability, and expanded hybrid cloud use cases, reinforcing the platform’s future-ready design.

Enterprise-grade capabilities such as Veeam Backup and Replication for data protection, NSX-T for software-defined networking, and a centralized management console provide high availability, security, and operational visibility. These capabilities are fully embedded into automated workflows, ensuring consistency across the entire infrastructure lifecycle.

One of the biggest challenges was transitioning from legacy, manual operating models to a fully automated Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) environment. Turk Telekom overcame this by redesigning internal processes around automation-first principles, eliminating manual order entry, configuration, and lifecycle management. This shift resulted in lower error rates, faster delivery, and a scalable operational model capable of supporting rapid growth.

Today, this solution stands as a strong example of data centre automation and orchestration innovation, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, cost optimization, and customer empowerment. By combining service integration, self-service provisioning, and consumption-based billing, Turk Telekom has redefined how cloud infrastructure is delivered and consumed in the region.

Data Centre ICT Networking Innovation of the Year

Data Centre ICT Networking Innovation of the Year Nominee: OryxAlign

Customer: A leading European hyperscale data centre operator

Overview

Hyperscale Data Centre networks are no longer limited to traditional IT traffic. Power management systems, building management platforms, cooling infrastructure, and physical security systems now operate directly across ICT networks, introducing new scale, availability, and resilience challenges.

OryxAlign has designed and delivered an OT-aware ICT networking innovation, purpose-built to enable hyperscale Data Centres to safely integrate operational technology into highly available network architectures. The solution provides estate-wide visibility, traffic control, and segmentation without compromising performance, redundancy, or uptime. This innovation redefines how ICT networking can support operational resilience in modern Data Centres.

Networking innovation:

This solution extends core Data Centre networking principles, segmentation, traffic engineering, and redundancy into OT environments at hyperscale.

Key networking innovations and USP

The core innovation lies in how OT monitoring and control are engineered into production networks. OryxAlign designed a repeatable OT networking framework and managed service that allows Data Centre operators to observe and manage OT traffic flows using passive methods, avoiding the instability caused by active scanning or inline inspection.

Key networking innovations include:

1. Passive traffic ingestion using SPAN/TAP, formally validated to avoid switch CPU and memory saturation
2. VRF and VLAN segmentation designs separating IT, OT, and management domains
3. High-throughput collectors supporting up to 1Gbps sustained traffic per node, enabling monitoring without packet loss
4. Resilient deployment patterns, including dual power supplies, redundant uplinks, and failover-ready cabling
5. VMware-ready blueprints allowing collectors to be deployed consistently across sites

Engineering credibility:

All SPAN configurations were risk-assessed, monitored post-install, and designed with defined rollback procedures.

Tangible impact on network operations

This networking innovation is being deployed across multiple Data Centre facilities, delivering estate-wide consistency rather than isolated site-level improvements.

Quantified outcomes include:

1. 100% passive monitoring, with zero unplanned network incidents
2. Thousands of OT and IoT endpoints mapped to network segments and communication paths
3. Clear identification of previously undocumented OT traffic flows across core and distribution layers

Operation teams gained immediate insight into:

• East–west OT traffic traversing core switches
• Legacy protocols operating outside intended segments
• Devices bridging operational and enterprise networks

This visibility enabled network teams to strengthen segmentation policies and improve network hygiene without disrupting live services.

Operational benefit:

OT traffic became measurable, governable, and predictable within the Data Centre network.

Differentiation versus competing networking solutions

1. Designed for hyperscale availability. Unlike traditional industrial networking solutions, this framework is engineered for 24×7 hyperscale environments, with no tolerance for downtime.
2. Passive-first network design. The solution avoids inline devices or active polling that can destabilise sensitive OT networks.
3. Repeatable estate-wide architecture. OryxAlign delivered a network blueprint that can be replicated across new data centre builds without redesign.

Conclusion

OryxAlign’s OT-aware networking innovation extends hyperscale network engineering principles into operational environments that were previously unmanaged by OT vendors. By enabling visibility, segmentation, and control without compromising availability, OryxAlign has delivered advancements in Data Centre ICT networking. This is networking innovation built for converged, hyperscale reality.

WAN Acceleration for Faster IBM Storage Scale

WAN Acceleration is unique. Bridgeworks has a range of patented technologies - including PORTrockIT - that go beyond the performance of WAN Optimisation, and they can even boost SD-WANs. Unlike WAN Optimisation, organisations can send and receive encrypted data without anyone at Bridgeworks being able to see or touch the data. With WAN Optimisation, encrypted data has to be decrypted before it can be sent. Once at the other end someone has to have the right keys to re-encrypt the data. In contrast, WAN Acceleration is far more secure - particularly in flight. Even in the most challenging scenario tested with IBM Gold Business Partner OCF, showed that PORTrockIT was able to complete backup jobs 50 times faster than a traditional network architecture. This speed of data transfer can also obfuscate the attempts of cyber-criminals to divert data traffic.

Minimal impact on existing infrastructure PORTrockIT offers plug-and-go technology that can be implemented quickly with minimal impact on existing infrastructure, keeping deployment cost and risk to a minimum. By maximising the performance of existing infrastructure, PORTrockIT also reduces the need to invest in expensive high bandwidth connections or more powerful servers – delivering measurable cost-avoidance and faster return on investment. As the patented WAN Acceleration technology, PORTrockIT deploys artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data parallelisation to mitigate the effects of latency and packet loss, and increasing bandwidth utilisation by up 95%. For companies that manage their data storage with IBM Storage Scale, PORTrockIT can dramatically improve operational performance over wide area links. PORTrockIT can extend the geographical range of your IBM Storage Scale clusters without compromising performance – creating new opportunities for growth while maintaining high availability of critical data.

Test results with OCF The first test simulated a scenario with no packet loss, at latencies ranging from 0ms to 300ms round trip time (RTT). The IOR test was allowed to run for 5 minutes in total, during which time it wrote between 100GB and 400GB of data to the remote filesystem. The test was performed twice, first via the unaccelerated architecture, and then again via the accelerated architecture with PORTrockIT, while keeping the WAN link limited to 10Gb/s. Unlike WAN optimisation products which use compression or deduplication techniques to improve throughput, PORTrockIT transfers data exactly “as-is”, without modifications. This means that PORTrockIT can accelerate deduped, compressed or encrypted data transfers to exactly the same extent as it accelerates any other data type. Anyway, the results show that performance on the unaccelerated architecture degraded significantly as soon as even a small amount of latency was introduced. Just 50ms of latency reduced performance from 1,000MiB/s to 319MiB/s, and when latency rose above 100ms, transfer rates dropped below 100MiB/s. This effect was even more extreme when a small amount of packet loss was introduced. As Figure 6 shows, with 0.1% packet loss, it takes just 20ms of latency to bring the transfer speed down from 1,000MiB/s to 34MiB/s.

PORTrockIT changes the latency story With PORTrockIT it is a different story. At 0% packet loss, PORTrockIT maintains 938MiB/s even at 100ms of latency, while with 0.1% packet loss it reaches 450MiB/s when the unaccelerated transfer is struggling to reach 5MiB/s. Meanwhile, the 0.1% packet loss and 20ms of latency that previously crippled the transfer now barely has an effect, as PORTrockIT increases the speed by 25x. For typical packet losses of <1%, latency is by far the greatest determiner of bandwidth loss. However, even with no latency, packet loss can significantly harm the effectiveness of a connection. IBM Storage Scale is able to cope with up to 0.1% packet loss in a latency free environment, but performance decreases rapidly thereafter. But by introducing PORTrockIT, Bridgeworks can significantly mitigate the impact of higher levels of packet loss.

An outperforming technology With typical TCP traffic, PORTrockIT hardware appliances will outperform virtual formats in the highest latency and packet loss scenarios. With their dedicated NIC queues and offload consistency, hardware appliances can sustain higher aggregate throughput and lower tail latencies. Meanwhile, ESXi and Docker will deliver near-parity at moderate latency values (≤ 100ms), while providing their own benefits. Docker offers the fastest deployment and easiest automation, while ESXi integrates cleanly in environments where virtual networking and vDS policy are standardised. Most important of all, PORTrockIT removes the risk of relying on an infrastructure that is not fast, robust or reliable enough to keep your businesscritical data flowing smoothly. By accelerating WAN data transfers, the solution ensures that data can move wherever and whenever the business needs it – not just when network conditions allow it. As a result, you can access critical data more quickly, optimise your recovery point and recovery time objectives (RPO/ RTO), and deliver higher service levels to business users and customers.

Data Centre ICT Security Innovation of the Year

Data Centre ICT Security Innovation of the Year Nominee: OryxAlign

Customer: A leading European hyperscale Data Centre operator

Overview

Operational technology now underpins every aspect of Data Centre uptime, yet historically remains invisible to traditional ICT security tools. As OT systems become network-connected, they introduce unmanaged cyber exposure that directly threatens availability, safety, and compliance.

OryxAlign has designed and delivered an ICT security innovation that enables continuous OT asset discovery, exposure management, and risk prioritisation across hyperscale data centre estates, without introducing operational disruption.

This solution transforms OT cyber security from a theoretical risk into a managed, measurable control domain.

Security relevance

This innovation directly links OT cyber risk to Data Centre uptime and resilience, not just compliance.

Key security innovations and USP

OryxAlign’s approach is grounded in operationally safe security engineering. Rather than deploying intrusive scanning tools, the solution uses passive, protocol-aware monitoring to identify assets, vulnerabilities, and exposure scenarios without interacting directly with sensitive OT systems.

Security innovations include:

• Continuous discovery of OT, IoT, and supporting IT assets, creating a single source of truth
• Exposure-based risk modelling, prioritising attack paths rather than isolated CVEs
• Identification of critical security conditions, including:
  • Internet-exposed OT devices
  • Legacy and unsupported operating systems
  • Weak or default credentials
  • Bridged networks between OT and enterprise domains
• Role-based dashboards and alerting, aligning risks to security, network, and operations teams

Risk maturity

The solution enables teams to focus on real-world exploitability, not theoretical vulnerability counts.

Tangible security outcomes

This security innovation will deliver measurable improvements across multiple hyperscale Data Centre sites. Quantified outcomes include:

1. Thousands of previously unknown OT-connected assets brought under continuous monitoring
2. High- and critical-risk exposure scenarios identified within weeks, accelerating risk reduction
3. Significant reduction in unmanaged and undocumented OT systems
4. Clear governance boundaries ensuring no unauthorised changes to operational systems

Security teams gained:

• Faster detection of risky configurations
• Improved prioritisation of remediation actions
• Clear accountability between IT security, network teams, and site operations

Governance

Security improvements were delivered without violating operational change control or safety requirements.

Differentiation versus competing security solutions

1. Built for OT safety in Data Centres. Many OT security tools are adapted from industrial environments. OryxAlign’s solution is designed for Data Centre operational constraints.
2. Security as an architectural control. Rather than adding security tools, OryxAlign embedded security into network design, segmentation, and governance.
3. Proven at hyperscale. This solution has moved beyond pilot projects to estate-level deployment across live production facilities.

Conclusion

OryxAlign’s OT-focused ICT security innovation delivers a step-change in how Data Centre operators manage cyber risk across converged IT and OT environments. By enabling visibility, prioritisation, and governance without operational disruption, OryxAlign has set a benchmark for Data Centre OT security innovation. This is security innovation that protects availability, safety, and trust at hyperscale.

AI Cyber Assistant from Hornetsecurity by Proofpoint: Intelligent, AI-Driven Microsoft 365 Security with Advanced Teams Protection

Hornetsecurity - now Hornetsecurity by Proofpoint since its acquisition by Proofpoint in Dec 2025 - launched its AI Cyber Assistant last year. This is a next-generation AI-powered security framework designed to transform how organisations protect Microsoft 365 environments.

Rather than introducing another standalone security feature, this new AI assistant embeds artificial intelligence directly into day-to-day user and administrator workflows, combining automated threat analysis, real-time end-user guidance, and rapid remediation tools into a unified system.

At the core of this innovation is a strategic shift:

Security should not only detect threats; it should assist, educate, automate, and respond in real time.

AI Cyber Assistant powers multiple advanced capabilities within Hornetsecurity’s multitenant platform, 365 Total Protection Plan 4, including:

• Teams Protection (advanced instant messaging threat detection and remediation)
• Email Security Analyst (LLM-powered automation of reported email analysis)
• AI Recipient Validation with Smart Alerts (intelligent prevention of misdirected emails and data leaks)

Together, these components form an AI-driven security ecosystem that reduces SOC strain, accelerates response times, and strengthens the human firewall across the organisation.

AI Cyber Assistant: Always by Your Side

AI Cyber Assistant acts as a vigilant AI security booster embedded within Microsoft 365 security operations. It continuously evolves through machine learning, delivering real-time analysis and contextual support to both end users and administrators.

Unlike traditional security layers that operate in isolation, AI Cyber Assistant integrates seamlessly across Microsoft 365 protection, backup, governance, compliance, and awareness training — all managed through a central, multi-tenant Control Panel.

This approach empowers organisations to:

• Automate complex threat investigations
• Deliver instant, AI-generated user feedback
• Reduce manual case-by-case review
• Strengthen organisational resilience
• Maintain secure communication across email and collaboration platforms

AI-Powered Teams Protection

As instant messaging increasingly replaces email as the primary channel of business communication, Microsoft Teams has emerged as a rapidly growing attack surface, particularly through compromised internal accounts and externally open tenants.

AI Cyber Assistant addresses this evolving risk through Teams Protection, a proactive defence mechanism embedded directly within Teams workflows.

Real-Time Detection Inside Live Conversations

Teams Protection continuously scans all Teams messages containing URLs. When suspicious content is detected, it instantly issues a warning message directly in the conversation via the AI Cyber Assistant bot. Tihs way, it protects users before interaction occurs.

Rapid Administrative Remediation

Through the cloud-based 365 Total Protection Control Panel, administrators gain immediate control to:

• Delete entire conversations containing malicious content
• Automatically remove chats via its Auto-Remediate feature
• Prevent malicious senders from logging back into Teams
• Centrally monitor threats across tenants

These rapid response tools significantly reduce mean time to respond (MTTR) while maintaining operational continuity.

Daniel Hofmann, CEO of Hornetsecurity, commented: “Microsoft Teams is a high-value target for cyber attackers because it is so widely used as the key method of business communication and document sharing. Teams Protection helps bolster companies’ defence against bad actors who aim to exploit compromised accounts within a tenant. Rapid response tools are critical to ensuring business continuity.”

AI-Driven Threat Detection Architecture

• Smart Pattern Analysis

  Advanced detection of URL and page features such as redirections, file paths, embedded scripts, and structural anomalies.

• Machine Learning (Supervised & Unsupervised)

  Analysis of more than 47 characteristics of URLs and web pages to identify malicious behaviour, obfuscation techniques, and suspicious redirect chains.

• Deep Learning & Computer Vision

  AI models analyse images shared within Teams and email to detect phishing indicators, including brand impersonation, QR codes, and suspicious embedded text — addressing modern image-based phishing campaigns that bypass traditional filters.

This multi-layered AI stack evolves continuously, ensuring resilience against emerging attack techniques.

Email Security Analyst: Automating SOC Workflows with LLM Intelligence

Another core component of AI Cyber Assistant is Email Security Analyst, powered by large language model (LLM) technology. As media awareness increases, end users are reporting more suspicious emails. While this is a positive development, it also significantly increases SOC workload. To address this, Email Security Analyst:

• Automatically analyses user-reported emails
• Replaces manual case-by-case review
• Delivers clear, AI-powered explanations to end users
• Provides guidance on appropriate caution levels
• Issues sanity-check warnings for high-risk indicators (e.g., executables)

By automating false-positive and false-negative analysis, the solution:

• Reduces pressure on SOC and service desk teams
• Encourages continued user vigilance
• Indirectly trains employees in secure behaviour
• Strengthens the organisation’s “human firewall”

This represents a shift from reactive threat validation to AI-assisted security enablement.

AI Recipient Validation with Smart Alerts

AI Cyber Assistant also enhances Hornetsecurity’s established AI Recipient Validation service with Smart Alerts.

These intuitive side-panel warnings:

• Alert users when incorrect recipients are selected
• Detect sensitive content before sending
• Adapt warnings dynamically based on user behaviour
• Maintain reliable functionality even offline

This capability prevents accidental data leaks and misdirected emails, one of the most common causes of compliance breaches.

Unified Platform Innovation: 365 Total Protection Plan 4

AI Cyber Assistant is embedded within 365 Total Protection Plan 4, Hornetsecurity’s AI-powered Microsoft 365 security, backup and GRC powerhouse. The platform delivers:

• Email protection
• Teams threat detection
• Backup and recovery
• Governance, risk and compliance tools
• Security awareness training
• DMARC, DKIM and SPF management

All functions operate through a redesigned, intuitive, multi-tenant Control Panel, enabling administrators to automate, standardise and govern Microsoft 365 environments at scale.

This consolidation eliminates fragmented tooling and enables consistent, rapid remediation across distributed tenants.

Key Innovation Highlights

• AI-driven security assistance embedded directly into daily workflows
• LLM-powered automation of email threat analysis
• Real-time warning bot inside Microsoft Teams conversations
• Auto-remediation of malicious Teams chats
• Machine learning analysis of 47 URL characteristics
• Computer Vision detection of image-based phishing attacks
• Behaviour-adaptive Smart Alerts preventing misdirected emails
• Unified AI-powered security, backup and compliance platform

Conclusion

Hornetsecurity’s AI Cyber Assistant represents a significant evolution in Microsoft 365 security innovation.

Rather than focusing solely on detection, it introduces an AI-empowered ecosystem that:

• Assists users
• Automates investigations
• Accelerates remediation
• Reduces SOC strain
• Protects both email and collaboration channels

AI Cyber Assistant transforms Microsoft 365 security from reactive incident response into proactive, intelligent, and continuously evolving defence.

StorMagic & SNUC Deliver Integrated HCI Appliances

StorMagic and SNUC Partner to Deliver Integrated HCI Appliances Purpose-Built for the Edge

All-in-one integrated solutions feature touchless deployment in minutes and flexible hardware options for demanding edge environments.

BRISTOL, England – 23 September 2025 – StorMagic®, simplifying on-site virtualisation, today announced a new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with SNUC.

The tested, factory-ready solutions combine SNUC’s 2000- and 3000-series extremeEDGE Servers™ and StorMagic SvHCI™. Customers with the most demanding edge environments can now easily procure a certified, flexible solution packaged for a simple out-of-the-box experience.

Available immediately to global distributors and resellers, the HCI solutions offer highly available shared storage and real-time compute, all in a ruggedised, full-stack hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) appliance.

Easy to install, deploy and manage, the solutions can be configured to match precise requirements for a customer’s environment, without shelfware or overprovisioning.

“SNUC is excited to partner with StorMagic to deliver flexible solutions built specifically for the world’s most demanding environments,” said Jonny Smith, CEO at SNUC. “Combining SNUC’s fanless, rugged, AI-ready edge servers with StorMagic’s simply reliable SvHCI software delivers optimal value in a complete, tightly integrated HCI appliance that is purpose-built for the edge.”

For customers, the joint solution delivers a certified, pre-integrated system that reduces deployment time and keeps ongoing management simple. For distributors and Value Added Resellers (VARs), it opens new opportunities to address demanding environments with an appliance that can be easily bundled with complementary services and support.

“This partnership is about removing barriers for customers who need reliable IT in challenging environments,” said Susan Odle, CEO at StorMagic. “By combining SNUC’s rugged servers with StorMagic’s simple and flexible software, we are giving organisations and their partners a proven, cost-effective system that is ready to deploy immediately and easy to manage over time.”

About SNUC

SNUC Systems is building the future of AI hardware at the edge, where it matters most. Formerly Simply NUC, SNUC designs and manufactures rugged, modular compute platforms that are secure, fast to deploy, and optimised for real-world AI workloads.

From defence systems and smart factories to autonomous machines and remote healthcare, SNUC empowers mission-driven organisations with local, intelligent compute that performs when it counts.

About StorMagic

StorMagic is simplifying on-site virtualisation. We help organisations of all types and sizes use, protect and manage their business-critical applications and data at and near the edge. Our solutions are easy to implement and maintain, and eliminate downtime to provide value anytime, anywhere.

StorMagic’s solutions are simple, reliable and cost-effective, without sacrificing enterprise-class features, for organisations with one to thousands of sites. Visit www.stormagic.com.

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StorMagic, SvSAN, SvKMS and SvHCI are trademarks of StorMagic.

Open-E JovianDSS Up31 & Up32: Revolutionizing Data Center Performance and Flexibility

Open-E is a distinguished leader in the data storage software industry, consistently delivering solutions that redefine the standards of reliability, performance, and efficiency for modern data centers. The company’s latest advancements, specifically the Open-E JovianDSS Up31 and Up32 updates, represent a paradigm shift in how organizations manage and scale their information infrastructure. These releases are not merely iterative improvements but a comprehensive reimagining of storage architecture, designed to address the most pressing challenges of the digital era, including high-speed data access, hypervisor flexibility, and ironclad security. By focusing on the seamless integration of cutting-edge hardware protocols with sophisticated software management, Open-E has provided a blueprint for the future of data center ICT storage.

The introduction of Open-E JovianDSS Up31 marked a significant milestone in Open-E’s commitment to versatility and security. A standout feature of this release is the Guest Quemu Agent for Proxmox, which allows the software to be deployed as a virtual machine within the Proxmox environment. This advancement facilitates a much deeper level of integration, ensuring that users can leverage robust storage features without being tethered to a specific hardware or hypervisor stack. Security was further bolstered with the implementation of Self-Encrypting Drive support for Micron 540 series drives, ensuring that data remains protected at the hardware level. Additionally, the update provided granular control over network traffic through the management of iSCSI targets via specified Virtual IPs, alongside foundational updates to Linux Kernel 5.15 and ZFS 2.2.4, which collectively enhanced the stability and throughput of the entire system.

Building on this momentum, the Open-E JovianDSS Up32 release introduced transformative capabilities that elevate the performance of enterprise clusters to unprecedented levels. The most notable inclusion is the NVMe over Fabrics Initiator with Multipath I/O. This technology bridges the gap between remote data storage and local performance, allowing data centers to access NVMe-based arrays over TCP or RoCE with the speed and latency typically reserved for direct-attached storage. By incorporating Multipath I/O, Open-E ensures that these high-speed connections are both redundant and load-balanced, effectively eliminating single points of failure while maximizing bandwidth. This leap in connectivity is complemented by the introduction of VMware VAAI support for the NFS protocol, which offloads storage-intensive tasks from the host to the storage array. This results in faster virtual machine provisioning, reduced network congestion, and higher VM density, making it an essential tool for any large-scale virtualization project.

Beyond these major shifts, Open-E has prioritized the user experience through intuitive management tools and refined system monitoring. The new partition labeling for NVMe drives allows administrators to assign clear, human-readable names to specific storage tiers like write logs or metadata caches, drastically reducing the risk of administrative error in complex environments. Other enhancements, such as automated storage pool initialization, configurable TRIM support for thick-provisioned volumes, and the display of RDMA network statistics in the WebGUI, reflect a deep understanding of the daily operational needs of data center professionals. Through the Up31 and Up32 versions of Open-E JovianDSS, Open-E has demonstrated an exceptional ability to synchronize software intelligence with the latest hardware capabilities, securing its position as a primary innovator in the ICT storage sector.

HHornetsecurity by Proofpoint

Hornetsecurity by Proofpoint is a global leader in cloud security, backup, and compliance solutions, delivering comprehensive protection for cloud environments and mission-critical digital infrastructure, with a special focus on MSPs and SMBs. The company’s flagship platform, 365 Total Protection, provides integrated security, backup, compliance, and access control capabilities within a unified cloud-native solution designed specifically for Microsoft 365 environments.

Hornetsecurity’s key distinguishing feature is its ability to provide fully integrated, automated protection across critical infrastructure, including email systems, collaboration platforms, and virtual environments. Its solutions leverage advanced threat detection, AI-driven automation, and cloud-native architecture to deliver reliable and scalable protection for modern data centre and cloud deployments.

By combining cybersecurity, backup, and compliance into a single unified multi-tenant platform, Hornetsecurity enables organisations to protect critical digital infrastructure efficiently while simplifying management and reducing operational complexity.

Hornetsecurity plays a vital role in protecting business and data centre infrastructure from cyber threats, data loss, and operational disruption. Its solutions protect millions of users worldwide, helping organisations secure their cloud infrastructure and ensure business continuity.

Through its integrated cloud security and backup platform, Hornetsecurity enables customers to:

• Protect critical data centre and cloud infrastructure from cyber threats, including ransomware, phishing, and malware
• Ensure business continuity through secure, automated backup and recovery capabilities
• Improve operational efficiency through automated security and compliance management
• Reduce operational risk and improve infrastructure resilience
• Simplify security management through centralised control and automation

Hornetsecurity’s solutions are trusted by enterprises, service providers, and organisations of all sizes across a wide range of industries, supporting the secure operation of mission-critical digital infrastructure.

Hornetsecurity’s leadership in cloud security, backup, and compliance solutions positions the company as a trusted ICT systems vendor supporting mission-critical data centre and cloud infrastructure. Through its integrated cloud-native platform and AI-driven security capabilities, Hornetsecurity enables organisations to protect their infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and support reliable digital operations. This is only set to grow with its acquisition by Proofpoint in December 2025, when it became Proofpoint's dedicated business unit focused on serving MSPs and SMBs worldwide, building on its track record to date.

Open-E in 2025 | Setting the New Standard in Data Storage Security

Open-E has long been recognized as a definitive leader in IP-based data storage management, having established a footprint of over 41,000 installations worldwide. In 2025, the company underwent a significant evolution, advancing its portfolio to meet the increasingly complex demands of modern data centers. This year has been defined by a series of strategic releases and service expansions that have effectively redefined the standards for data security and storage efficiency. By focusing on the synergy between software-defined storage flexibility and hardware-agnostic stability, Open-E has provided organizations with a new level of control over their most critical digital assets.

Key Product Achievement: Open-E JovianVHR

Central to Open-E’s 2025 achievements is the premiere of Open-E JovianVHR, a solution that represents a significant advancement in backup storage architecture. This platform addresses the persistent threat of ransomware by implementing a unique double-layer immutability framework that combines the Linux Hardened Repository feature from Veeam with ZFS-based technology. The first layer utilizes the XFS immutable attribute to prevent data modification or deletion for a set period, while the second layer leverages ZFS Immutable Snapshots, which are inherently read-only and impervious to encryption attempts by malware. Together, these two independent layers close the ransomware gap and eliminate concerns regarding insider threats. This purpose-built solution makes high-performance, immutable backup storage effortless for enterprises of all sizes while maintaining a Zero Trust design.

Software Advancements: Open-E JovianDSS

Beyond backup security, Open-E has continued to push the boundaries of its flagship software, Open-E JovianDSS. The release of versions Up31 and Up32 has introduced substantial improvements in performance management and virtualization capabilities. A key highlight of these updates is the new integration with Proxmox VE for NFS, which provides a highly efficient and stable data storage environment for open-source virtualization users. This integration allows for seamless management of virtual machines while utilizing the advanced data integrity features of ZFS, such as 256-bit block-level checksums and self-healing against silent data corruption. The architecture further supports tiered caching and inline data deduplication to ensure optimal resource utilization.

Professional Services

To complement its technological advancements, Open-E has launched a suite of professional services designed to support the entire lifecycle of data storage system management. The new Open-E Check-Up Service offers a comprehensive health assessment to ensure storage environments are optimized for maximum performance and reliability. Additionally, the Open-E Migration Service provides expert guidance and technical support for organizations transitioning their data, reducing the risks and downtime often associated with infrastructure upgrades. These services demonstrate Open-E's commitment to being more than just a software vendor, acting instead as a long-term technical partner for its clients.

Strategic Impact

Open-E in 2025 has established a robust foundation for the future of data management. The company's trajectory in that year proves its dedication to providing rock-solid technology that is both user-friendly and highly sophisticated. Through its continuous innovation and commitment to data integrity, Open-E has set a new benchmark for resilience and efficiency in the global storage market.

Austin Williamson: Shaping the Next Era of Data Centre Engineering

Austin Williamson has made an outstanding contribution to the data centre industry through an impressive and impactful combination of major-project delivery, sector leadership, and practical knowledge-sharing that is helping the industry respond to a changing landscape of technology, such as AI, and the drive for improving energy efficiency.

Austin brings over 40 years of engineering experience, beginning in contracting before moving into consultancy and design in his early 20s. His foundation is both practical and academic, having achieved a Master’s level qualification in power transmission and distribution, alongside developing specialist expertise in controls and automation. This blend means Austin is valued not only for his design capabilities, but also for ensuring systems behave as expected in the real world — especially under contingency conditions and in complex, constrained operational environments.

As Foreman Roberts’ Critical Engineering & Data Centre Sector Leader, Austin has supported the delivery and optimisation of more than 20 data centres around the world, including hyperscale infrastructure projects of 500MW. He is repeatedly trusted on the most challenging scopes, including complex upgrades to live, operational infrastructure where resilience cannot be theoretical. His focus is on the issues that differentiate “paper compliance” from genuine availability and safety — including transient analysis, protection coordination, contingency planning, arc-flash risk, SPoF analysis, CFD-informed decisions, root cause analysis, and reliability thinking such as mean time to failure. In a sector where programmes are fast-track and power density is rising rapidly, Austin’s ability to combine rigour with practical delivery is an exceptional asset.

However, his industry contribution is most clearly demonstrated by what he has built beyond project work. Austin identified a growing industry gap: while demand has accelerated dramatically — particularly with AI-driven increases in power density and the emergence of new cooling approaches — the sector’s design principles and “templates” have not evolved at the same pace. In his words, there is a disconnect forming: lots of acknowledgement and papers exist, but not enough meaningful change in how systems are designed, engineered, and operated.

To address this, Austin personally initiated and championed the creation of the CIBSE Data Centre Special Interest Group, navigating over a year of technical governance to establish it. Voted in as Chair, and with the support of the group’s officers and CIBSE, he has grown the group to 500 members in under a year, with representation across developers, operators, consultants, contractors, and manufacturers. Under his leadership, the group is mobilising specialist outputs intended to improve decision-making and raise industry capability, with early focus areas including embodied carbon/energy, CFD modelling, and power systems and microgrids.

Austin’s MSc Thesis in 2010 focused on the design and energy analysis for a larger scale multiple data centres’ microgrid network. He is also engaging with major developers and operators — and university partners working at chip level — to ensure guidance and engineering thinking keeps pace with emerging computing and cooling technologies.

Austin’s commitment to developing capability extends to people as well as systems. He has mentored engineers through professional routes including chartership support, delivered technical presentations, and recently completed a Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, strengthening his ability to educate and develop the next generation of engineers in the data centre sector. His motivation is direct: the industry must move beyond “its current theme” and actively tackle the shortage of engineers — particularly those with true data centre expertise.

Austin’s impact has also been recognised through professional accolades including a CIBSE Medal for contribution to the industry and a regional Chair Medal, reflecting not only technical excellence but sustained service to the profession. He has also contributed to the wider evolution of standards and guidance by reviewing and commenting on emerging regulatory documentation (including building regulations) and participating in confidential technical governance work that will provide much-needed clarity for critical systems and evolving technology across multiple infrastructure sectors.

Looking forward, Austin’s vision is grounded and urgent: “Success means reducing embodied carbon across data centre infrastructure through better design and better operations, while fundamentally evolving power and cooling strategies so the industry can no longer rely on legacy templates.” He believes the next era will demand more automation, new approaches in compute (including photonics), and — crucially — engineers with stronger grounding in physics and system behaviour, supported by research and development that translates into practical guidance and real-world change.

Contribution of the Year - Data Centre Design Leadership

Nominee: Jonny Fisher
Role: Technical Director – 5DM Group
Experience: 8 years in the Data Centre sector

Nomination Statement

Jonny Fisher has made a measurable and lasting contribution to the European data centre industry through technical leadership, programme innovation, and the development of future engineering talent.

Jonny Fisher is a highly respected Technical Director within the European data centre industry, recognised for his significant contribution to the successful delivery, governance, and development of large-scale data centre infrastructure across multiple international markets. Over the past eight years, Jonny has supported clients delivering data centre developments across nine European countries.

His involvement has spanned the full project lifecycle, beginning at technical due diligence for over 4GW of data centre sites, through to the successful on-site delivery of more than 800MW of live data centre capacity. This scale of impact places Jonny among a small group of individuals operating at the highest technical level within the sector.

Jonny consistently challenges established norms, questioning how design and delivery processes can be improved to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving data centre industry. Through his leadership across multiple projects, he has helped reduce overall design programme durations by approximately 25%, improving efficiency while maintaining technical robustness and design quality.

In doing so, Jonny has also helped shift industry perceptions of civil engineering within data centre developments, moving it from a traditionally secondary consideration to a core, early-stage discipline. This change in approach has improved the quality, coordination, and maturity of civil engineering information, leading to better-informed design decisions and more resilient data centre developments.

A key example of this innovation has been Jonny’s contribution to the development and adoption of a FEED (Front-End Engineering Design)-based programme for data centre projects. By moving away from traditional, sequential RIBA design stages, Jonny helped implement a FEED approach that prioritises early technical definition, coordinated multi-discipline input, and informed decision-making at an earlier stage. This has reduced abortive design work, improved cost certainty, and accelerated the progression from concept to construction-ready designs.

Jonny’s contribution has been instrumental in shaping robust, resilient, and future-ready data centre developments. He has provided strategic technical leadership across site selection, design governance, risk management, and construction delivery, ensuring consistency of technical standards while responding intelligently to local regulatory, cultural, and operational requirements.

His ability to align developers, designers, contractors, and operators across multiple jurisdictions has been critical to the success of these complex programmes.

A defining strength of Jonny’s contribution is his ability to bring diverse cultures and teams together. Working across multiple European countries, he has successfully unified international design teams and supply chains behind common technical objectives, fostering collaboration, trust, and clarity in high-pressure, mission-critical environments.

Jonny has also made a meaningful contribution to improving health and safety through design. By embedding safer-by-design principles, promoting early hazard identification, and strengthening coordination between design and construction teams, he has helped reduce risk during both construction and operational phases across multiple projects.

Beyond project delivery, Jonny has made a lasting contribution to the development of people and skills within the data centre industry, aligned with the professional standards promoted by the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Throughout his career, he has directly supported and developed over 30 engineers, with 10 achieving professional recognition under his mentorship through structured professional development and competency-based guidance.

Recognising the sector’s ongoing skills shortage, Jonny also played a key role in establishing an apprenticeship scheme within 5DM Group, creating a structured pathway that supports technical competence, ethical practice, and long-term professional progression into the data centre industry.

Why This Year?

This year is particularly significant for recognising Jonny Fisher’s contribution to the data centre industry. During this period, he has successfully supported multiple clients in maturing their design programmes at a time when the sector is experiencing rapid growth and increasing technical complexity.

His leadership has directly influenced the progression of major European data centre developments, delivering improved programme certainty, cost efficiency, and technical quality.

At the same time, Jonny has made a timely and tangible impact on one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: the shortage of skilled technical resources. Through mentorship, professional development, and the creation of an apprenticeship pathway, he has helped bring new engineers into a sector where talent is limited, strengthening the industry’s future capability at a critical moment.

His contribution has influenced not only individual projects, but the way data centre developments are conceived, designed, and delivered across the wider industry. For these reasons, Jonny Fisher is a highly deserving candidate for recognition as Data Centre Industry Contribution of the Year.

I’m delighted to see Jonny Fisher being put forward for this award. He has had a genuinely industry-shaping impact on how data centre projects are designed and delivered across Europe. His technical leadership, programme innovation, and commitment to developing future engineering talent have raised standards at a critical time for the sector. He is a thoroughly deserving candidate for Data Centre Industry Contribution of the Year.

Ben Freedman
Director, 5DM Group

Engentica: Agentic Intelligence for Next‑Generation Data Centres

Q-Elite Platform

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Global Commissioning - Leading The Future of Data Centre Commissioning

Global Commissioning is a specialist, independent data centre commissioning company operating across the UK, Europe and South Africa, supporting some of the world’s most complex and mission-critical data centre programmes. With expansion underway into new regions across the globe, the business continues to grow in response to increasing demand for independent, technically robust commissioning leadership.

The business exists to support one of the most critical and highest-risk moments in the data centre lifecycle: the transition from construction into live operation. This is the point at which systems must perform exactly as designed, under real operational conditions, and where risk, safety, programme certainty and long-term operational performance either succeed or fail. Commissioning is often underestimated within the industry, treated as a final checkpoint rather than a continuous discipline.

Global Commissioning takes a different approach. From early design intent through to final integration, handover and occupancy, the business is embedded across the full commissioning lifecycle. This ensures systems are commissioned safely, efficiently and in a way that protects long-term operational performance, rather than reacting to issues late in delivery. This lifecycle-led involvement allows Global Commissioning to influence decisions at every phase, reducing rework, mitigating late-stage risk, improving safety outcomes and ultimately saving clients and contractors significant time and cost.

By being present from Level 0 through to Level 6, Global Commissioning ensures that commissioning is not an afterthought, but a structured, planned and controlled process that underpins successful project delivery. Global Commissioning provides comprehensive Commissioning Management (CxM), Commissioning Agent (CxA), electrical safety and project management services across all commissioning levels.

The business is regularly appointed on large-scale data centre and critical power infrastructure projects, including:

• Complex live environments
• Phased delivery programmes
• First-of-a-kind installations

Many clients continue to reappoint Global Commissioning on a long-term, multi-region basis, reflecting both technical capability and consistency of delivery. A key differentiator is Global Commissioning’s fully independent operating model. Every engineer and manager is directly employed, rigorously trained and aligned to a single commissioning methodology. This ensures impartiality, consistency and accountability - qualities that are critical on complex, multi-vendor data centre projects and often diluted within contractor-led or hybrid models.

Tangible market impact can be seen across Global Commissioning’s portfolio. The company has repeatedly been appointed to recover programmes, de-risk late-stage delivery and lead complex integrated systems testing. In several instances, Global Commissioning has identified design, procurement and equipment-related issues - including industry-wide defects - that would otherwise have resulted in significant delay or operational risk. These interventions have protected individual projects while also contributing to improved standards and awareness across the wider delivery ecosystem.

Global Commissioning operates a “One Team” philosophy, working collaboratively with clients, general contractors, designers and vendors to remove barriers to progress. This includes:

• Live design commissionability reviews
• Proactive vendor coordination
• Shared problem-solving
• Hands-on support outside of strict contractual scope where it materially benefits programme outcomes

This delivery-first mindset has been instrumental in building long-term client trust and repeat appointments across regions. Major differentiators include:

• Fully independent, non-contractor model from senior leadership through to commissioning engineers
• Lifecycle involvement from design through to live operation
• Software processes that improve visibility and control
• Proven capability across data centres, substations and critical power infrastructure - all delivered without compromising safety or quality

Despite rapid growth, Global Commissioning has maintained exceptionally high delivery standards. The business has been recognised on the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies list for two consecutive years, reflecting sustained market demand, repeat client confidence and controlled expansion. Growth has been driven deliberately to strengthen technical depth, regional capability and client service - never at the expense of delivery quality.

To support long-term excellence, Global Commissioning is deeply committed to internal capability development. Through structured training, continuous professional development and the evolution of its own internal academy, the business ensures teams remain aligned, technically excellent and equipped to deliver consistently across geographies and project scales.

Through its independent approach, technical leadership and commitment to raising industry standards, Global Commissioning is helping to redefine how commissioning is perceived and delivered across the data centre sector, putting commissioning firmly on the map as a critical enabler of safe, reliable and high-performing digital infrastructure.

Data Centre Managed Services Vendor of the Year

1. Key Distinguishing Features / USP:

Managed services at hyperscale are no longer a support function — they are a control layer for critical national infrastructure. As data centre estates exceed hundreds of megawatts, span multiple geographies, and converge IT, OT and security environments, the operational challenge fundamentally changes. The risk is no longer isolated incidents or single-site outages; it is systemic failure, estate-wide exposure, and loss of operational confidence at scale. Traditional managed service models break down under these conditions. Fragmented delivery, site-by-site variance, and reactive support approaches cannot sustain the uptime, resilience, and governance demands of modern hyperscale operators.

OryxAlign has evolved its managed services model to meet these challenges. In 2026, OryxAlign supports and manages the critical technology infrastructure for 24 live data centres, representing almost 525MW of operational capacity, with multiple additional facilities in active delivery. The company underpins some of Europe’s most demanding hyperscale environments, where zero tolerance for disruption, continuous availability, and assured change control are non-negotiable.

What sets OryxAlign apart is the industrialised, estate-level operating model designed to sustain resilience, security, and performance across large-scale, multi-site data centre portfolios. Innovations in modern data centre operations — from OT-aware networking to advanced cyber visibility — only deliver value when operationalised safely at scale. OryxAlign’s managed services integrate infrastructure, networking, security, compliance, and service delivery into a single, accountable framework that allows operators to scale with confidence.

Four defining capabilities underpin this hyperscale-managed operating model:

1. Estate-level service design: Services are designed at an estate level, ensuring consistent standards, controls, and outcomes across all facilities, removing operational drift between sites.
2. Integrated IT, OT, and security governance: OryxAlign operates across IT, OT, and cyber security domains as a single managed service, providing unified visibility, controlled change, and clear accountability.
3. Industrialised change and lifecycle management: Structured lifecycle replacement, change governance, and service transition models enable continuous improvement without compromising availability or compliance.
4. Operational intelligence from real-world delivery: Supporting nearly 525MW of live capacity provides operational insight that informs service design, tooling, and procedures, continuously improving resilience and efficiency.

This model moves OryxAlign beyond reactive support into predictive, assurance-led managed services, enabling data centre operators to expand, modernise, and innovate without increasing operational risk.

2. Tangible Impact on Market and Customers:

Impact at hyperscale is measured not by activity, but by risks that never materialise and failures that never occur. OryxAlign’s managed services deliver tangible value by systematically removing operational, security, and change-related failure modes across large-scale estates, enabling customers to expand capacity, modernise infrastructure, and introduce new technologies safely. Key impacts include:

• Elimination of unknown and unmanaged infrastructure risk: Continuous managed visibility across networks, systems, and operational environments removes reliance on manual asset tracking and site-specific knowledge.
• Reduction of change-related incidents: Structured change governance, lifecycle replacement programmes, and service transition models reduce human error, misconfiguration, and unplanned downtime.
• Containment of estate-wide cyber and operational exposure: Integrating security operations, network management, and OT oversight into a single framework reduces the risk of isolated vulnerabilities escalating.
• Predictable resilience at scale: Consistent SLAs, 24x7 monitoring, and embedded operational intelligence enable early risk identification and controlled responses to incidents.
• Accelerated expansion without proportional risk increase: Long-standing clients, such as VIRTUS Data Centres, have expanded from single facilities to multi-site estates without increased operational incidents or service degradation.

2025 managed service performance metrics across clients demonstrate the impact:

• 100% Critical response SLA
• 100% Critical resolution SLA
• 100% Infrastructure availability SLA
• 94% Overall client sentiment

3. Major Differentiators vs Competitors:

B Corp Certification: OryxAlign achieved B Corp certification in 2025, becoming the only B Corp–certified technology service partner operating in the UK data centre and construction sector. This embeds sustainability, accountability, and resilience into day-to-day operations, aligning with increasing regulatory, investor, and customer pressures around ESG compliance.

B Corp certification provides tangible value for clients:

• Supply chain assurance: Customers gain confidence that their service partner aligns with sustainability commitments, ESG reporting obligations, and responsible procurement frameworks.
• Reduced compliance risk: Supports operators in addressing Scope 3 emissions, supplier governance, and ethical sourcing requirements.
• Credible sustainability leadership: Demonstrates commitment to balancing operational excellence with environmental and social impact.

Importantly, these sustainability achievements complement, rather than compromise, operational performance. OryxAlign’s managed services continue to deliver 24x7 availability, hyperscale resilience, and strict change governance, establishing a new benchmark for integrated, responsible critical infrastructure services.

Customer Validation:

“Working with OryxAlign has fundamentally strengthened how we operate and scale our data centre estate. Their managed services model goes far beyond traditional support — it provides the governance, operational discipline, and assurance framework required to manage hyperscale environments without introducing additional risk. As our portfolio has expanded, OryxAlign has enabled us to maintain consistent standards, control change effectively, and protect availability across multiple facilities. Their integrated approach to IT, OT and security management gives us confidence that resilience and compliance are built into day-to-day operations, not treated as separate functions. The partnership is defined by accountability, continuous improvement, and a shared commitment to operational excellence. OryxAlign plays a critical role in ensuring we can grow, modernise, and innovate while maintaining the levels of uptime and service our customers expect.” — Tier one data centre operator

Highest density fibre distribution for data centres

FibrePath - the future of raceways and cable containment

FibrePath® — Redefining Fibre Containment in Data Centres

Let us draw your attention to something strangely invisible. In the grand theatre of data centres, we applaud the stars — artificial Intelligence, edge computing, and the latest GPUs that hum with promise. However, behind the scenes lies a quiet player without which none of the spectacle works at its best: the fibre containment system. The humble track the light follows, the stage manager of the entire production — underappreciated, often overlooked, yet utterly indispensable.

In a world where the chip is king, software is serenaded, and cabinets remain cool, elegant, modular, rapidly deployable containment is critical. Without it, infrastructure suffers from long lead times, on-site modifications, lost U-space, and airflow inefficiencies. Yet most fibre containment systems haven’t changed in decades — analogue holdouts in a digital age.

FibrePath® changes that. It isn’t just containment — it’s choreography. Designed by installers, for installers, for environments demanding precision, FibrePath® restores order to complexity, turning chaos into clarity. It improves airflow, aesthetics, and access simultaneously. It doesn’t just carry data — it gives it direction, dignity, and flow.

About FibrePath®

XSpaceUK’s FibrePath® fibre containment raceway provides data centres with a modular, fire-resistant alternative to traditional cable baskets or plastic fibre trunking. Key features include:

• Steel construction for fire resistance, preventing spread of fire and toxic gas emissions, reducing risk to personnel and IT equipment
• Environmentally positive design: replaces plastics, reduces cable wastage, and supports Zero-U connectivity panel mounting
• Zero-U panel mounting allows patching to occur outside the cabinet, freeing internal space for equipment and enabling faster IT churn
• Quick and easy installation, suitable for both fibre and copper cabling
• Modular design that integrates with existing cable basket systems for flexible deployment

The product is the result of three years of development, collaboration with fibre manufacturers, and input from data centre providers to ensure it meets market and operational needs.

For more information on FibrePath®, visit: https://www.xspaceuk.com

PNU Innovative Power Distribution

Our innovative power distribution strategy enhances efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in modern data centers. By integrating advanced switching mechanisms, high-efficiency power solutions, and intelligent monitoring, our approach ensures uninterrupted operation while reducing complexity and footprint.

1) Key distinguishing innovative features / USP

• MDB-integrated automatic source transfer (no external ATS required).
• ≥97% efficient UPS and DC rectifiers to reduce energy losses.
• Modular UPS: operates only required modules at partial load; remaining modules standby to maximize efficiency and availability.
• Dual-fed DGPs from two independent sources with inverter switching for redundancy.
• Integrated EPMS BMS CMP for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimization.
• Concurrent maintainability enabling maintenance without interrupting IT and cooling loads.

2) Tangible impact on the market and customers

• Reduced system complexity (up to ~25%) by eliminating external ATS and simplifying architecture.
• Lower CAPEX through fewer panels/equipment and reduced footprint.
• Lower OPEX via high-efficiency conversion and modular part-load operation.
• Improved uptime and business continuity during maintenance.
• Faster approvals/coordination due to a clearer, more integrated design approach.

3) Major differentiators vs. primary competitors

• Eliminates external ATS while maintaining seamless normal/emergency transfer within the MDB.
• Fewer interfaces and potential failure points due to consolidated switching and reduced equipment count.
• OPEX-optimized modular UPS operation versus fixed/less efficient partial-load configurations.
• End-to-end integration (EPMS/BMS/CMP) versus siloed monitoring systems.
• Maintenance-without-outage architecture as a core design principle, not an add-on.

4) Supportive quotes / case study materials

No available (Private Pilots and studies cannot be shared due to NDA policies at ezditek )

Redefining Power Management in Mission Critical Data Centre Environments

Panduit EL2P – Intelligent Power Distribution for Mission-Critical Data Centers

Panduit’s EL2P (Elevate to Power) iPDU redefines power management standards in mission-critical data center environments. The EL2P series enhances energy efficiency, uptime, capacity optimization, and sustainability without compromise. It integrates advanced metering (±0.5%), robust cybersecurity, flexible outlet configurations, and comprehensive environmental sensing—key capabilities for hyperscale, enterprise, and colocation facilities.

Addressing Real Customer Challenges

Data center teams often face frustration with PDU deployment due to long timelines, limited rack-level visibility, and security gaps. The EL2P was designed to solve these real-world problems:

• Frequent circuit breaker trips during peak usage due to lack of outlet-level visibility.
• Difficulty reading PDU displays in top-fed power configurations, leading to costly remounts.
• Complex installation and scaling requirements across diverse deployment environments.

Key Features & Innovations

• Outlet-level monitoring: Provides granular insight into energy usage and load balancing.
• Smart alerts and cybersecurity: Prevents unauthorized access and provides real-time notifications.
• Toolless installation: Speeds up rack mounting and reduces deployment errors.
• Multi-axis swivel inlet and 360° cable routing: Improves installation flexibility.
• Auto-rotating display: Adjusts automatically for top- or bottom-fed configurations.
• Aqua-shaded outlet banks: Enhances visibility for load balancing and circuit identification.
• Zero-touch provisioning and firmware automation: Reduces labor and maintenance overhead.

Operational Benefits

• Improved uptime and operational efficiency by providing actionable rack-level data.
• Reduced stranded power and improved load balancing, mitigating risk of circuit trips.
• Faster installation and firmware updates—20+ minutes quicker than previous-generation units.
• Supports scalability and post-installation changes with a single device solution.
• Centralized control and encrypted communications for simplified management.

Customer-Centric Design Process

Panduit engaged engineers, sales teams, and customers throughout the development process. Cross-functional collaboration focused on simplicity, reliability, and lower total cost of ownership. Features such as the aqua outlet bank and tool-less mounting directly address pain points identified during real-world deployments.

Proof of Performance

Beta testing and field feedback validate the EL2P’s efficiency and scalability. Engineers reported smoother installations, faster firmware updates, and easier post-installation adjustments. The solution enables teams to “do more with less,” optimizing both labor and operational resources.

Conclusion

The EL2P iPDU delivers intelligent, secure, and efficient power distribution for modern data centers. Its combination of advanced monitoring, ease of installation, and operational insights sets a new standard for PDU performance in mission-critical environments.

For more information, visit Panduit: EL2P Intelligent Power Distribution Unit

Huawei PowerPOD FusionPower9000 Solution

Overview
Huawei PowerPOD FusionPower9000 Solution is a highly reliable, fast-deployable, and energy-efficient power supply solution tailored for future AIDC scenarios.

• Adopting a distributed architecture and supporting remote lithium battery deployment, the solution effectively safeguards power supply security for core IT equipment and improves overall system availability

• One cabinet, one power supply, integrating power distribution, batteries, cooling, management, and fire extinguishing, reducing footprint by more than 30%.

• High efficiency: 96.8% (double conversion mode) or 98.4% (intelligent online mode)

• Factory prefabrication, system joint commissioning, and onsite deployment are required, shortening the TTM from 24 weeks to 18 weeks.

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What are your product's/solution's key distinguishing features and/or USP?

Huawei outdoor powerPOD FusionPower9000, continuously evolving and upgrading, provides a Reliable、Agile、Sustainable power supply and distribution system solution for medium and large data centers decoupled and elastically scalable power supply and distribution system solution for medium and large data centers.

Huawei's outdoor powerPOD uses a 40-foot container that can be deployed outdoors, integrating power supply and distribution units, UPS, lithium batteries, cooling, fire protection, and other subsystems.

Each container can provide a power supply capacity of 3.2 MW, highest power density in the industry.

The solution is factory prefabricated and pre-commissioned, requiring only simple onsite installation for quick deployment.

Each container provides power for one circuit, and capacity can be expanded on demand.

The solution is also supported by AI, which enables early warning of abnormal temperature rise, prediction of the service life of capacitors and fans, and transforms passive warnings into AI predictive maintenance.

In addition, to meet the challenges of higher density AIDC (AI Data Center), we continue to invest in R&D, further improving the high-density integrated design to create the industry's most dense outdoor power supply solution.

We have upgraded the UPS from 600K per cabinet to 800K, while also upgrading to higher density lithium battery cabinets and reducing the container height.

The overall dimensions of the solution are 12192mm × 3495mm × 3600mm.

Since its first launch in 2022, the FusionPower9000 solution has sold over 300 units globally, covering customers in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe, and Latin America regions.

These solutions support the rapid deployment and stable, reliable operation of over 600 MW of data center business, with the largest single project being 96 MW.

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What tangible impact has your product/solution had on the market and your customers?

Reliable
• One power supply per container, distributed power supply architecture, where a single container failure does not affect others.

• Lithium batteries are deployed remotely, away from the main equipment, and faults are automatically isolated.

• High reliability structure: GR-63-CORE Zone3 anti-seismic, 12-level wind resistance, and IP55 protection.

• Pre-integration and pre-commissioning in the factory, with more than 1000 tests conducted in the lab and before delivery, ensuring reliable quality and reducing onsite construction quality risks.

Agile
• Decoupled from the Datahall to flexibly match different capacities.

• One power supply per container, enabling on-demand capacity expansion.

• Modular design of the product, achieving high assembly efficiency in the factory.

• Engineering productization, allowing parallel construction at the factory and onsite, without serial construction, shortening the delivery time.

• The delivery time from order placement to onsite installation completion is reduced to 16 weeks.

Sustainable
• Energy efficient, with a link efficiency of up to 98.4% in S-ECO mode, save nearly $20 million in electricity costs over its 10-year service life.

• Integrated high density design, saving 40% of the footprint compared to traditional solutions.

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What are the major differentiators between your product/solution and those of your primary competitors?

Huawei outdoor PowerPOD is not just a simple assembly, but a full-chain design of productized solutions.

Both the power supply and cooling components of Huawei's PowerPOD are proprietary products, designed from the outset to optimize airflow organization and minimize power supply paths, all while ensuring reliability.

This design approach enhances energy efficiency while maintaining reliability.

We have completed CFD thermal simulations under different operating conditions, from -20°C to 55°C, to ensure there are no local hot spots.

Our R&D team has also conducted extensive simulations for electrical short-circuit protection to guarantee the reliability of the system's protection mechanisms.

Additionally, during the design process, we conducted physical testing on the product, performing full-load enthalpy difference tests (at high temperatures of 55°C and low temperatures of -20°C) in Asia's largest enthalpy difference laboratory, which verified the product's reliability.

Furthermore, Huawei's outdoor PowerPOD solution undergoes over 800 rigorous factory tests with a complete full-unit factory test report, covering fault simulation, system load testing, functional testing, and lifespan testing.

Each outdoor PowerPOD also undergoes more than 100 factory tests using Huawei's unique automated testing platform, which ensures the product meets high standards of quality and reliability.

This process includes safety regulation checks, single-unit power-on tests, system power-on integration tests, and management system debugging, ensuring that the product delivered to customers is of high quality and reliability.

In contrast, most solutions from other vendors are assembled on-site, followed by power-on and commissioning, which introduces a high level of uncertainty.

Issues often surface at the site, requiring the vendor's engineers to conduct on-site inspections, identify the fault points, and then seek solutions.

This process often takes a significant amount of time, leading to delivery uncertainties.

However, Huawei's outdoor PowerPOD solution, through stringent process quality checks, ensures high-quality and rapid on-site delivery.

The solution can complete on-site installation and commissioning within two weeks, providing a clear and predictable delivery timeline for the entire project, effectively ensuring smooth project progress.

Multi Power2 Modular UPS Series Expansion (MP2 300-600 kW & M2X)

Riello UPS expands Multi Power2 Modular Series

Riello UPS has expanded its Multi Power2 modular UPS series to deliver a highly efficient, scalable, and resilient power protection solution designed specifically for modern data centre environments.

The expansion increases the already fantastic flexibility of the range, which is aimed at small to medium-sized data centres and other similarly mission critical applications.

The additional units deliver all the series’ key benefits, including:

• market-leading ultra-high efficiency of 98.1% in online double conversion mode
• risk-free ‘pay as you grow’ scalability
• a robust design that eliminates any single point of failure
• hot-swappable 3U 67 kW power modules that ensure downtime-free maintenance

Multi Power2 incorporates advanced silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors that significantly reduce energy losses and heat generation, delivering data centre operators robust and reliable performance whilst lowering their operating costs, cooling requirements, and carbon emissions.

The extended MP2 range now incorporates the original 500 kW model along with 300 kW and 600 kW versions:

• MP2 300 – up to 5 power modules for a maximum of 300 kW, features bottom cable entry and an integrated manual bypass switch;
• MP2 500 – up to 8 power modules for a maximum of 500 kW, features top cable entry, an integrated manual bypass switch, and air filters as standard;
• MP2 600 – up to 9 power modules for a maximum of 600 kW, available with or without switches and a choice of front-to-back or front-to-top ventilation.
• Up to 4 UPS can be installed in parallel, meaning the MP2 can protect up to 2,400 kW in a single system.

In addition, the Multi Power2 series is also expanded with the launch of the M2X model, which can protect from 15 kW to 120 kW in a single cabinet. Designed with smaller data centres in mind, the M2X offers:

• Three hot-swappable 2U power modules:
  • 15 kW IGBT
  • 15 kW Silicon Carbide
  • 30 kW Silicon Carbide
• Two cabinets:
  • PCS – a standard power cabinet with integrated input, bypass, manual bypass and output switches
  • CBC – a combo cabinet with integrated batteries

The complete Multi Power2 range also incorporates the popular Multi Power2 Scalable (M2S) solution, which comes in 1000-1250-1600 kW versions and is designed with the needs of modern data centres in mind, as it can handle the rapid load fluctuations typically associated with AI load profiles. By connecting 4 M2S UPS in parallel, it can protect up to 6,400 kW.

Leo Craig, Managing Director of Riello UPS Ltd, commented:

“With this exciting expansion of the Multi Power range, we are addressing the data centre industry’s growing focus on energy saving practices for a more sustainable future.

“By combining market-leading efficiency of 98.1% and flexibility in terms of power ratings and cabinets with a reduced carbon footprint and total cost of ownership, we are delivering data centres proven results without compromising on power continuity or performance.”

SSOW (Safe System Of Work) - 100% Compliance HV/LV Networks

At AEP Global, safety is not just a priority—it is embedded in every aspect of our operations. Our commitment to a Safe System of Work (SSOW) has enabled us to achieve 100% compliance across HV and LV networks, ensuring the highest standards for both our personnel and our clients. This achievement is a testament to the rigorous procedures, protocols, and technological innovations we have implemented, all designed to mitigate risk and streamline operational safety.

One of the key milestones in our safety journey was achieving 100% compliance within Microsoft SPS-101/102 projects. We accomplished this by collaborating closely with Engineering Consultants (EC), General Contractors (GC), and the end client to create bespoke procedures and protocols tailored to each project’s specific requirements.

This collaborative approach ensured that every isolation, testing, and operational procedure was documented, verified, and consistently followed by all parties involved. By standardizing these processes, we eliminated ambiguity and reduced the potential for human error, reinforcing a culture of safety and accountability.

Recognizing the limitations of traditional paper-based permit-to-work and isolation processes, AEP Global has developed an innovative SSOW software platform. This digital solution transforms manual workflows into a fully integrated e-permit and isolation system, streamlining operations while maintaining uncompromising safety standards.

By combining the best practices from both onshore and offshore energy sectors, our platform allows teams to plan, execute, and track HV/LV isolation and permit-to-work activities in real time.

The benefits of this transformation are significant.

• Teams can now access all relevant procedures, checklists, and approvals through a centralized digital interface, reducing administrative overhead and enhancing compliance tracking.
• The platform also ensures that every action is auditable, providing clients with complete transparency and confidence in our adherence to SSOW standards.
• Furthermore, the system supports proactive risk management, alerting teams to potential conflicts or deviations before they impact operations.

Our SSOW software reflects AEP Global’s vision of combining safety, efficiency, and technology. It enables us to maintain 100% compliance consistently, not just as a one-off achievement, but as an ongoing operational standard.

By leveraging digital innovation and decades of industry expertise, we continue to set new benchmarks for safety management in HV and LV networks, helping clients like Microsoft and other energy sector leaders achieve their operational goals without compromise.

At AEP Global, SSOW is more than compliance—it is a commitment to safeguarding people, assets, and the integrity of every project we undertake.

RDC102: Data Centre Safety & Security Innovation of the Year

Nomination Overview

This nomination highlights the deployment of an integrated Data Centre Safety & Security Innovation framework within a fully equipped, Tier III concurrently maintainable data center in Saudi Arabia. The solution has delivered quantifiable advancements in physical security, personnel safety, and operational risk management without compromising service availability.

Addressing a challenge consistently noted by DCS Innovation Award judges, this innovation moves beyond compliance-based controls to deliver intelligent, operationally aligned safety and security outcomes in live, mission-critical environments. In contrast to conventional, siloed approaches, the framework unifies physical security, safety systems, and operational intelligence into a single, context-aware platform. By integrating AI-driven video analytics, biometric and multi-factor access controls, thermal and environmental sensors, and building management systems, the solution enables real-time event correlation across all domains providing a consolidated, actionable risk view.

A standout feature is the platform’s operational intelligence: safety and security controls dynamically adjust to live conditions, such as authorized maintenance activities, access permissions, occupancy, and infrastructure status. This ensures controls are proportionate and effective during routine operations, maintenance, and incident response minimizing false alarms, reducing human error, and facilitating proactive risk mitigation.

Measurable Impact

The measurable impact of this innovation is underscored by clear, data-driven results, aligning with the evidence-based standards valued by DCS Innovation judges. Post-implementation, the framework has achieved:

• 100% reduction in unauthorized access and security breaches
• 100% faster incident detection and response
• Zero safety-related disruptions to service availability
• Marked decrease in false alarms and manual interventions, enhancing engineering efficiency and operational focus
• AI based Security Monitoring systems
• Safety & Security systems integration with DCIM / BMS and Facility Management Dashboard
• Emergency Drills and BC Management related precautionary measures, etc

Critically, the solution is engineered to uphold Tier III concurrently maintainable standards, ensuring uninterrupted safety and security operations even during live maintenance and change activities. This approach reinforces service availability while delivering innovative enhancements, exemplifying the balance of resilience and advancement that distinguishes top DCS Innovation Award honorees.

From the customer standpoint, the framework has elevated trust for regulated and mission-critical workloads, such as financial services and government platforms. Proactive risk detection, transparent reporting, and standardized response protocols have significantly improved audit readiness and operational assurance.

Key Differentiators vs. Competitors

In contrast to primary competitors whose offerings are often limited to perimeter controls or stand-alone technologies this innovation sets itself apart through:

• Genuine system convergence: Purpose-built integration of safety, security, and operational intelligence, not just add-on components
• Context-aware automation: Dynamic adaptation to real-time operational conditions for optimal protection
• AI-powered, pre-emptive risk detection: Proactively identifies and addresses threats before incidents occur, rather than relying on reactive post-event analysis
• Operations-centric design: Proven performance and resilience in demanding, live Tier III data center environments
• Scalable, repeatable deployment: Flexible framework engineered for consistent implementation across multiple facilities

Customer Feedback

Customer Quote – Google: “I really appreciate working with center3 team. The team is really in line with us”

Customer Quote – sccc by stc: “Operations process is very clear. Whenever we open a ticket for connectivity issues, the response is very quick”

This nomination demonstrating that true Data Centre Safety & Security Innovation is achieved through intelligent system integration, quantifiable risk mitigation, and proven operational excellence at scale. These strengths firmly establish this solution as a leading candidate for Data Centre Safety & Security Innovation of the Year.

Entry Criteria Questions and center3 answers

1. What are your product’s/solution’s key distinguishing features and/or USP?

The nominated solution represents a high-level, executive-grade Safety & Security framework for Data Centers, purpose-built for Tier III environments requiring concurrent maintainability. This advanced, integrated platform seamlessly consolidates physical security, personnel safety, and operational risk management into a unified, intelligent system. By leveraging real-time analytics and centralized orchestration, it delivers robust protection and operational efficiency, ensuring resilient, proactive safety and security oversight at the enterprise level.

The solution’s unique value lies in its holistic integration of physical security, safety systems, and operational intelligence, setting a new standard beyond conventional, siloed controls. Key capabilities include:

• AI-driven video analytics: Delivers real-time detection of unauthorized access, tailgating, unsafe behaviors, and breaches in restricted zones, enabling proactive risk mitigation.
• Dynamic access management: Employs biometric and multi-factor authentication, intelligently linked to role-based authorization and live operational status for adaptive, context-aware controls.
• Advanced safety monitoring: Leverages thermal imaging, fire and smoke detection, and environmental sensors for early-stage identification of incidents, ensuring rapid response to emerging threats.
• Centralized security orchestration: Unifies inputs from security, safety, and building management systems, providing a comprehensive, single-pane operational view for streamlined oversight.
• Automated response workflows: Facilitates swift, standardized escalation and mitigation actions, upholding Tier III resilience and ensuring consistent operational continuity.

This executive-grade Safety & Security approach ensures resilient, adaptive protection and operational excellence for enterprise data centers by delivering proactive, intelligent oversight aligned with the highest standards of reliability and risk management. Unlike conventional security deployments, this solution is operationally aware, adapting controls based on maintenance activities, live change windows, and occupancy—significantly reducing both security risk and human error.

Setting a new benchmark in safety and security, this solution delivers operational intelligence by dynamically adapting controls in real time to maintenance schedules, live change windows, and occupancy levels. Unlike traditional security frameworks, its operational awareness minimizes both security risks and human error, ensuring resilient, proactive protection aligned with the demands of Tier III environments.

2. What tangible impact has your product/solution had on the market and your customers?

The solution delivers a proven, high-impact Safety & Security approach for enterprise environments:

• Significant reduction in unauthorized access and security breaches through proactive, AI-driven detection and real-time response workflows.
• Accelerated incident resolution enabled by automated alerts and seamless integration across operational systems.
• Zero safety-related service disruptions since implementation, underscoring robust threat prevention and rapid escalation protocols.
• Enhanced operational efficiency via decreased false alarms and minimized manual interventions, allowing engineers to focus on critical tasks.
• Elevated customer trust for regulated and mission-critical workloads, supporting stringent requirements in financial services and government sectors.

From a market standpoint, this solution sets a new benchmark by uniting advanced safety and security innovation with uncompromising high availability, defining best-in-class standards for Tier III facilities in high-risk and regulated environments.

3. What are the major differentiators between your product/solution and those of your primary competitors?

This solution stands apart in the Safety & Security domain through several strategic differentiators recognized as true innovation:

• Unified Integration: Security, safety, and operational systems are seamlessly converged into a single, intelligent framework eliminating fragmented bolt-on approaches.
• Contextual Adaptability: Controls dynamically adjust in real time to maintenance schedules, access authorizations, and evolving risk landscapes, ensuring continuous alignment with operational demands.
• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Advanced AI-driven detection enables pre-emptive identification and response to be emerging threats, preventing escalation and minimizing impact.
• Tier III Operational Assurance: All controls are architected to maintain concurrent maintainability, delivering uncompromised resilience for mission-critical environments.
• Scalable Excellence: The framework is designed for repeatable deployment across multiple facilities, consistently delivering high-impact results without diminishing effectiveness.

Unlike competitor solutions that prioritize compliance or perimeter security, this innovation leads with risk reduction, intelligent response, and operational assurance setting the industry benchmark for Safety & Security in regulated, high-availability environments.

4. Supportive quotes and/or case study materials

Customer Quote – Google: “I really appreciate working with center3 team. The team is really in line with us”

Customer Quote – sccc by stc: “Operations process is very clear. Whenever we open a ticket for connectivity issues, the response is very quick”

This submission demonstrates that genuine Data Centre Safety & Security innovation stems from intelligent integration, measurable risk reduction, and seamless operational alignment, high-impact advancement for data centre safety and security.

The Keor FLEX High-Power Modular UPS

WHAT ARE YOUR PRODUCTS/SOLUTIONS KEY DISTINGUISHING FEATURES AND/OR USP?

The Keor FLEX three-phase modular Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) sets a new benchmark for sustainable power protection in data centres by combining industry-leading efficiency, true modularity, and lifecycle-driven design. Unlike traditional monolithic UPS systems, Keor FLEX is engineered as a long-life, upgradeable infrastructure platform, designed to minimise energy losses, material waste, and environmental impact throughout its operational lifecycle.

Key distinguishing features include:

• Industry-Leading Energy Efficiency: Delivering up to 98.6% efficiency in double-conversion mode and over 99% in ECO mode, Keor FLEX significantly reduces conversion losses, cooling demand, and associated carbon emissions.
• True Hot-Swap Modular Architecture: Power and bypass modules are fully hot-swappable, enabling zero-downtime maintenance and targeted module replacement. This dramatically extends system lifespan while reducing electronic waste compared with fixed-capacity UPS designs.
• Pay-As-You-Grow Scalability: The system scales seamlessly from 100 kW to 1.2 MW per frame, and up to 4.8 MW in parallel, allowing customers to deploy only the capacity required, when they need it, and avoid energy- and material-intensive overprovisioning.
• Compact, High-Density Design: Delivering 1.2 MW in just 2.8 m², Keor FLEX maximises white-space efficiency, reducing embodied carbon per MW and enabling more sustainable data hall layouts.
• Eco-Designed for Circularity: Keor FLEX achieves 85% certified recyclability (IEC/TR 62635), with over 70% metal content and 50% recycled packaging, supporting responsible end-of-life processing and circular economy principles.

Together, these features position Keor FLEX as a sustainability-led UPS solution that reduces energy consumption, extends asset life, and optimises resource use across the full data centre lifecycle.

WHAT TANGIBLE IMPACT HAS YOUR COMPANY HAD ON THE MARKET AND YOUR CUSTOMERS?

Keor FLEX delivers measurable environmental and economic benefits for data centre operators while supporting the transition to higher-density, AI-driven workloads. Its 98.6% efficiency in double-conversion mode directly reduces operational energy consumption and cooling demand, resulting in lower operating costs and a meaningful reduction in Scope 2 emissions over the system’s lifetime.

The true hot-swap modular design enables customers to replace or upgrade only the required modules rather than entire UPS systems. This approach significantly reduces waste, avoids premature asset retirement, and supports long-term reuse of infrastructure as power demands evolve.

The total front-access architecture and integrated predictive diagnostics reduce maintenance time, service interventions, and specialist site visits, lowering both operational disruption and the environmental footprint associated with ongoing support.

Keor FLEX is manufactured using lean production principles, minimising industrial variants and enabling late-stage personalisation. This reduces material waste across the supply chain while enabling fast delivery — a critical advantage for customers responding to rapidly increasing power demands driven by AI and high-performance computing.

As a result, customers achieve lower total cost of ownership, improved uptime, and a demonstrably more sustainable approach to power protection.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENTIATORS BETWEEN YOUR PRODUCT/SOLUTION AND YOUR PRIMARY COMPETITORS?

Keor FLEX differentiates itself by embedding sustainability, circularity, and grid interaction directly into its core architecture, rather than treating them as add-on features.

By leveraging advanced Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology, Keor FLEX achieves over 98.6% efficiency in double-conversion mode and over 99% in ECO mode, setting a new efficiency benchmark while reducing thermal stress on components and extending service life.

Its internal busbar-based power distribution architecture replaces traditional cabling, reducing component count, eliminating common failure points, lowering heat dissipation, and significantly improving long-term reliability. Combined with high-frequency SiC conversion, this design mitigates thermal cycling induced by AI-driven transient loads, thereby extending the lifetimes of power modules and semiconductors.

Keor FLEX is engineered to eliminate single points of failure, ensuring long-term reliability and reduced waste. Control and resilience are distributed across modular power blocks, dual communication paths, redundant auxiliaries, and an autonomous static-bypass DCU.

The architecture is validated through a full FMECA—commonly used in aerospace and defence—to ensure faults remain contained, reduce unnecessary module swaps, avoid service disruption, and extend system life. Compartmentalised metal enclosures and reinforced creepage and clearance distances further protect components from catastrophic failure modes often seen in ultra-compact UPS designs.

By preventing premature component damage and minimising thermal and electrical stress, Keor FLEX extends service life while reducing material consumption and energy waste.

Unlike conventional UPS systems, Keor FLEX can react within milliseconds to extreme load transients without reverting to bypass or stressing battery systems. This stabilises voltage during AI workload spikes and protects both the UPS and upstream infrastructure from premature degradation.

Keor FLEX is also smart-grid ready, supporting peak shaving, load balancing, grid power export, and Fast Frequency Response (FFR). These capabilities allow the UPS to actively support grid stability, facilitate renewable energy integration, and comply with evolving European energy regulations — positioning it as a future-proof solution.

Additionally, Keor FLEX supports all battery technologies, including Li-ion, VRLA, Nickel-Zinc, and future chemistries, enabling customers to reuse existing energy storage assets rather than replacing them — further reducing waste and embodied carbon.

Collectively, these differentiators redefine the UPS from a fixed, disposable system into a modular, upgradeable, and sustainable infrastructure platform, purpose-built for modern, high-density, and environmentally responsible data centres.

Modular container data centre constructed entirely from timber

IT Container Eco Fix — Sustainable Modular IT Infrastructure

The ever-growing demand for computing power due to digitalisation, AI applications, and cloud services is at odds with increasing demands for energy efficiency and climate protection. National and European regulations — such as the German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) and the EU Taxonomy Regulation — call for significant CO₂ reductions, sustainable procurement, and the use of recyclable materials. The IT Container Eco Fix was developed against this backdrop, applying principles of sustainable construction to modular IT infrastructures and using cross-laminated timber (CLT/X-LAM) as a structural support material. The container combines ecological advantages, structural safety, and high technical availability in a compact, ready-to-connect module.

Material Properties and Structure

CLT consists of multiple layers of boards glued crosswise, providing high dimensional stability and load-bearing capacity. Typical thermal conductivity is λ ≈ 0.12 W/mK, meaning wood has ~400 times better insulating properties than steel (λ ≈ 50 W/mK).

Climate Impact and Life Cycle

Each cubic metre of wood binds around 1.8–2 tonnes of CO₂ over its lifetime. The IT Container Eco Fix uses ~13 m³ of wood, storing approximately 23 tonnes of CO₂. This volume grows back in German forests in less than 24 seconds. CLT production consumes up to 60% less primary energy than comparable steel structures. Additionally, the wood can be dismantled, recycled, or reused at the end of its life.

Sustainability Certificates and Circular Economy Concepts

• PEFC and FSC certification, Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
• Wood components manufactured without formaldehyde and with ≥60% bio-based adhesives
• Madaster resource passport system enables clear material tracking and take-back, in line with Cradle to Cradle® principles

Cooling with R290

The system uses indirect free cooling with the natural refrigerant propane (R290), with a redundant (N+1) design delivering ~14 kW total output (~3.5 kW per rack). Key advantages:

• GWP (global warming potential) is over 600 times lower than common synthetic refrigerants
• Annual COP > 3.5; below 12°C, heat dissipation achieved purely via free cooling, lowering PUE to ~1.20 (location-dependent)

Fire Behaviour of CLT

Wood behaves predictably under fire, forming a char layer that insulates and maintains structural integrity.

• Burn rate: ~0.65–0.70 mm/min
• Fire resistance: up to F90 possible (design-dependent)
• Steel loses load-bearing capacity >500°C; CLT remains stable and predictable, mathematically verifiable

Conclusion — Technical and Ecological Sustainability

The IT Container Eco Fix represents a new generation of data centre modules that combine ecological responsibility, technological efficiency, and regulatory future-proofing:

• Sustainability: timber construction, CO₂ storage, dismantling concept
• Fire Protection: predictable behaviour, F90 certification, tested safety systems
• Energy Efficiency: R290 cooling, free cooling, low PUE
• Compliance: EnEfG, EU Taxonomy, EN 50600, ISO 50001
• Cost-Effectiveness: short construction times, low operating costs, eligibility for subsidies

With its design and choice of materials, the IT Container Eco Fix meets both current and future requirements for sustainable IT infrastructure, enabling environmentally friendly, secure, and future-proof data centre operations.

AtlasEdge with Socomec: Digiware

As data centres face increasing scrutiny for their carbon footprint, AtlasEdge stands apart for its clear and proactive commitment to sustainability excellence. Aligned with the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact and internationally recognised standards, including ISO 14001 and ISO 50001, AtlasEdge’s sustainability strategy drives continuous improvement in environmental and energy performance. This focus motivated the deployment of Socomec’s DIRIS Digiware power metering solutions over the course of 2025, with the aim of elevating energy efficiency across AtlasEdge’s data centre estate.

Improved reporting as a foundation for energy efficiency reporting

Recognising that granular visibility of power consumption is essential to reduce PUE – a top priority for all data centres, but particularly with older, metro-based facilities – AtlasEdge set out to deploy an intelligent metering solution that could provide an accurate picture of its energy consumption. Following a rigorous assessment from Northshore, the leading energy efficiency consultancy appointed by AtlasEdge to lead this initiative, Socomec’s Digiware was selected as the optimal solution for the project.

In addition to helping AtlasEdge accurately measure and monitor the PUE at its facilities, Digiware was chosen because it is fully compliant with the EU’s Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) 2014/32/EU, which means the colocation provider can now provide each of its tenants with accurate billing and granular intelligence about their individual energy usage. With Digiware, AtlasEdge can gain clear insights into energy consumption both across data halls and on a per-customer basis, flagging underlying inefficiencies and making recommendations for improvements.

The installation process, taking place throughout 2025 in Berlin and Brussels – with further deployments planned for the future – has proven transformative for AtlasEdge and its customers in enabling accountable and compliant energy usage.

No compromise on service reliability

With more than 800 customers across Europe, the reliability of AtlasEdge data centres is paramount to its credibility as a provider of critical digital infrastructure. A key challenge going into the project was the potential impact of the new metering installation on live operations. Traditional in-line meter and current transformer (CT) installations require circuit breaks, meaning planned power outages for customers that warrant extensive risk assessments and advanced notice, all while creating service disruption.

Socomec’s Digiware directly addressed this challenge by enabling installation without service interruption through the use of split CTs, allowing for a seamless deployment that protected continuous operations. With the most compact current sensors on the market, Digiware also provided a scalable solution capable of supporting AtlasEdge’s operations without taking up extra space within the data centre halls. Its modular design enabled straightforward integration with legacy switchboards, significantly reducing deployment risk and overall project cost.

Under Northshore’s guidance, AtlasEdge was able to take crucial steps towards energy accountability without compromising customer uptime, or overhauling existing infrastructure in the process.

Fostering a culture of responsible energy use

AtlasEdge can now measure power usage and performance with confidence, bill consumption transparently, and foster a culture of responsible energy use by empowering customers with the data they need to shape their own sustainability strategies. The operator has a clear and detailed picture of energy performance on a per-rack basis, driving informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

AtlasEdge has also demonstrated that power accountability can work in tandem with uninterrupted operations. Committed to making data centres climate neutral by 2030, AtlasEdge will continue to standardise its state-of-the-art facilities using high-quality power visibility technologies, remaining accountable as it progresses towards its sustainability goals.

Elea Data Centers - Rio AI City

Rio AI City – Elea Data Centers

Rio AI City is a multi-phase, AI-focused digital infrastructure sustainability project led by Elea Data Centers to develop one of the world’s largest purpose-built AI data center ecosystems in Rio de Janeiro’s former Olympic Park. The project was created to address a rapidly intensifying market challenge: as AI and cloud workloads scale, data center operators must deliver significantly more capacity while reducing environmental impact, protecting local resources, and meeting rising ESG expectations from customers, regulators, and investors.

Four Constraints Shaping the Future of AI Infrastructure

• Immediate power availability at scale for high-density AI workloads
• Sustainable energy sourcing to support growth without increasing carbon intensity
• Cooling and water stewardship, as AI increases thermal loads and resource pressure
• Connectivity and resilience, enabling global-grade redundancy and deployability

Rio AI City is designed to deliver 1.5 GW of power availability, with scalability beyond 3.2 GW within five years, positioning it among the most ambitious AI infrastructure initiatives globally. Based on current global market pricing for AI-ready data center infrastructure, Elea estimates an average infrastructure cost of approximately US$10 million per megawatt. At 1.5 GW of available capacity, this equates to approximately US$15 billion in projected infrastructure investment.

Project Advantages

• Existing high-voltage transmission infrastructure and substations already in place
• Proximity to major submarine cable landing stations
• Immediate power availability, renewable energy, and connectivity

Strategically, Rio AI City addresses a global shortage of AI-ready capacity, positioning Brazil and Rio de Janeiro as a globally competitive destination for AI and cloud infrastructure investment.

Key Differentiators

• Energy-first development model: power availability planned from day one
• Waterless systems: designed to reduce or eliminate potable water consumption for cooling as AI density increases
• Connectivity readiness: located near major submarine cable landing stations and dense terrestrial fiber networks
• Tier 3, world-class facility design: engineered for reliability, resilience, and long-term performance
• Green skin architecture: supporting energy efficiency and sustainable construction principles

Sustainability is treated as infrastructure: power, cooling, connectivity, and long-term scalability are designed together as one system.

Overcoming Global AI Infrastructure Barriers

• A phased development model with near-term delivery and long-term scalability
• Institutional alignment and memoranda of understanding with key stakeholders, including the City of Rio de Janeiro, Oracle, Axia Energia (formerly Eletrobras), Light, and Tapestry (X, the Moonshot Factory)
• A power-ready strategy leveraging existing infrastructure to reduce external buildout risk

Execution Milestones

• RJO1 is operational, establishing the site as the most interconnected facility in the Rio de Janeiro region
• 80 MW secured for immediate use, enabling near-term deployment without multi-year delays
• RJO2 (80 MW) under construction, with delivery expected by late 2026
• Second development phase of approximately 130 MW in 2027
• Long-term expansion pathway toward 3.2 GW of renewable-powered AI capacity

Social and Economic Impact

Beyond infrastructure delivery, the project is expected to generate 10,000 high-skilled jobs, support digital inclusion, and anchor a regional AI ecosystem, positioning Brazil as a net exporter of renewable energy in the form of AI-driven data services. Rio AI City is a blueprint for building sustainable AI infrastructure responsibly, powered by renewable energy, designed to reduce water impact, and integrated into the future of a city.

CET Data Center Integrated Intelligent Monitoring & Management Solution

CET — Intelligent Full-Stack DCIM and AI-Driven Data Centre Management

Overview and Innovation Context

CET delivers comprehensive monitoring and management for data centre infrastructure through self-developed hardware, software, and professional services. Our integrated BMS/DCIM platform unifies HVAC, lighting, power, security, fire protection, and other systems, enabling intelligent control, automation, and real-time optimisation. This ensures continuous 24/7 operation while maximising energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Key Distinguishing Features / Unique Selling Proposition

• Full-Stack Self-Developed Solutions: Proprietary hardware (power quality devices, multi-function meters, precision distribution units, gateways) combined with DCIM/BMS/AI software platforms.
• Three-Layer Architecture:
  • On-site Acquisition: Linux-based IP gateways supporting full-scale protocols and multi-interface connectivity.
  • Monitoring & Processing: Redundant servers with full-scale data capture and 2.5D/3D visualisation.
  • Remote Browsing: Multi-channel alarm notifications (voice, SMS, local alerts) for rapid incident response.
• AI-Driven Energy Optimisation: NeuCool X1 system automatically tunes air-conditioning parameters based on load prediction, achieving up to 15% energy savings.
• 3D Digital Twin Visualization: Real-time immersive view of equipment status, energy efficiency, and fault location for improved decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Closed-Loop Intelligence: Integrates monitoring, analysis, optimisation, and decision-making to move customers from stable operation to fine-tuned efficiency.

Market Impact and Customer Value

• Optimised energy consumption, reduced cooling system failures, and improved overall system reliability.
• Efficient alarm management prevents equipment failures and safety incidents, supporting uninterrupted operations.
• Successful deployment in projects such as Kuaishou Smart Cloud Ulanqab Data Center and Johor, Malaysia, achieving operational security, energy optimisation, and enhanced efficiency.
• High recognition from clients for delivering measurable energy savings and robust operational resilience.

Customer Service Differentiators

• Customized Full-Chain Service: In-depth design, hardware supply, system integration, logistics, commissioning, and ongoing support tailored to client needs.
• Collaborative Execution: Close communication throughout project lifecycle ensures timely delivery and responsiveness.
• End-to-End Accountability: Single-point-of-contact model reduces complexity and risk for clients.

Competitive Differentiators

• Integrated R&D: Deep vertical integration of hardware and software guarantees system compatibility, reliability, and optimal performance.
• Advanced Manufacturing: Automated production lines with strict quality control, lead-free production, RoHS/WEEE compliance, and IEC 62443-4-1 security certification.
• Global Reach and Capability: CNAS-accredited labs and international deployment capacity, enabling large-scale and complex projects worldwide.
• AI and Visualization Advantage: Unique NeuCool X1 AI system and 3D digital twin provide actionable insights and predictive optimisation unavailable from competitors.

Case Study

Project: Empowering Johor Data Center with Intelligent Monitoring
CET implemented an integrated monitoring system covering environment, power distribution, cooling, and equipment. The project achieved operational security, energy optimisation, and improved operational efficiency, demonstrating CET’s ability to deliver comprehensive, intelligent, and AI-enhanced DCIM solutions.

Conclusion

CET’s AI-driven, fully integrated hardware-software approach sets a new benchmark in DCIM innovation. By combining real-time monitoring, predictive AI, and immersive digital twin visualization, CET empowers data centres to achieve stable, optimised, and energy-efficient operations, reinforcing our leadership in intelligent data centre management.

XpedITe Universal Intelligent Infrastructure Management (UIIM) Platform

RiT Tech’s XpedITe Universal Intelligent Infrastructure Management (UIIM) platform represents a significant innovation in data centre infrastructure management by unifying IT, network, power, cooling, and environmental monitoring into a single intelligent management system.

Unlike traditional DCIM platforms that focus primarily on facilities monitoring, XpedITe provides an integrated, vendor-agnostic platform that delivers real-time visibility across heterogeneous data centre environments. The system combines infrastructure monitoring, asset management, predictive analytics, sustainability tracking, and automated workflows within a single pane of glass.

Key distinguishing features include:

• Unified management of IT and facilities infrastructure
• Vendor-agnostic integration across multi-vendor environment
• Real-time monitoring of power, cooling, connectivity, and environmental metrics
• Predictive analytics for capacity planning and maintenance
• Automated workflows and infrastructure change management
• Sustainability dashboards supporting ESG reporting

By integrating facilities and IT management, XpedITe enables data centre operators to move from reactive infrastructure management to predictive and automated operations. The XpedITe platform delivers measurable operational, financial, and sustainability benefits to data centre operators and colocation providers.

Customers benefit from:

• Improved infrastructure visibility and control
• Reduced downtime through predictive maintenance and automated alerts
• Improved capacity utilisation through AI-driven analytics
• Faster deployment and change management processes
• Enhanced energy efficiency through integrated monitoring
• Improved sustainability reporting aligned with ESG requirements.

By consolidating multiple infrastructure management tools into one unified platform, RiT Tech enables operators to streamline operations, reduce risk, and improve overall efficiency.

CM8000 and OM1300 Next-Generation Network Resilience Platforms

Opengear, a Digi International company, have announced two new additions to its Network Resilience Platform: the CM8000 Series and the OM1300 Series. These next generation devices deliver compact, flexible, and automation-ready out-of-band infrastructure designed for a time when outages are increasing and distributed sites continue to scale.

According to Opengear research, 84 percent of CIOs and CISOs have experienced a rise in outages over the past two years. The CM8000 Series and OM1300 Series were purpose-built to ensure that IT teams maintain access and control even when the production network is unavailable.

The two series provide complementary approaches:

• CM8000 Series

  A serial-first recovery platform with integrated power control for core branches, small aggregation sites, and network closets.

  • The series supports 4 or 8 serial ports, integrates with PDUs for remote power cycling, offers flexible Ethernet uplinks via RJ-45 and SFP connectors for copper or fiber connectivity, and provides centralized visibility through Lighthouse® for secure out-of-band management.
• OM1300 Series

  An integrated edge platform that brings serial access, switching, and local automation into one device.

  • The series is an optimal choice for retail, micro data rooms, and compact edge sites that need fewer devices and simpler deployments.
  • It supports zero-touch provisioning and significantly faster automation performance than previous OM models, enabling reliable out-of-band control at remote locations.

“Networks may be more distributed than ever, but resilience still depends on the ability to reach your equipment when everything else is down,” said Patrick Quirk, President of Opengear. “The CM8000 Series and OM1300 Series give organizations two purpose-built ways to stay in control, whether they need core recovery or simplified edge management.”

Lightspeed: Local AI Powered Observability for OpenShift at the Edge Infrastructure

OpenShift Lightspeed represents a fundamental reimagining of how artificial intelligence capabilities can be deployed at the edge while maintaining complete data sovereignty, security compliance, and operational effectiveness. This solution addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing modern enterprise infrastructure: how to leverage generative AI for operational efficiency without compromising data security, regulatory compliance, or infrastructure sovereignty. By integrating Red Hat OpenShift Lightspeed with locally deployed large language models served through vLLM and enriched with Model Context Protocol capabilities, we have created an AI driven observability platform that operates entirely within customer controlled infrastructure, delivering enterprise grade intelligence without external dependencies.

The technical architecture of Lightspeed fundamentally distinguishes it from conventional cloud based AI assistants. At its core, the system deploys opensource large language models including Mistral, LLaMA, and DeepSeek through vLLM infrastructure, achieving high performance inference with optimized GPU utilization and low latency response times suitable for production environments.

This local deployment model ensures that every prompt, response, telemetry reference, and feedback loop remains entirely within the OpenShift cluster, stored in platform managed components such as PostgreSQL. No operational data ever traverses external network boundaries, making Lightspeed inherently suitable for regulated industries including financial services, healthcare, defense, and government sectors, as well as airgapped environments where external connectivity is restricted or prohibited.

A key distinguishing feature and core USP of Lightspeed is its context aware, readonly operational guidance. Instead of forcing users to manually construct complex queries or navigate static dashboards, Lightspeed allows natural language questions such as:

• Why is this pod restarting?
• Why is my PVC stuck in Pending?

The system automatically correlates relevant signals events, logs, YAML manifests, and resource states and provides stepbystep guidance along with suggested OpenShift commands. Importantly, Lightspeed does not execute commands autonomously, preserving human control and minimizing operational risk.

The platform's role based access control integration represents another critical differentiator. MCP integration ensures that Lightspeed operates within OpenShift's native RBAC framework, meaning users can only query and analyze resources they are explicitly authorized to access according to their assigned roles and permissions. This permission aware architecture enables organization wide deployment of AI assisted observability while maintaining strict security boundaries between teams, namespaces, and environments. Development teams receive insights scoped to their applications, platform teams maintain visibility across infrastructure components, and security teams retain appropriate oversight capabilities, all without compromising the principle of least privilege.

Beyond immediate troubleshooting capabilities, Lightspeed serves as an intelligent operational companion that continuously learns from organizational knowledge. The system can be enriched with companyspecific documentation, operational runbooks, historical incident data, and best practice guides, transforming scattered institutional knowledge into a continuously available, queryable intelligence layer. This capability is particularly valuable for accelerating engineer onboarding, preserving operational expertise as teams evolve, and standardizing response patterns across complex multicluster deployments.

In summary, Lightspeed demonstrates how generative AI can be responsibly and effectively applied to critical infrastructure operations. By combining local LLM inference, MCP based context awareness, and strict security alignment with OpenShift, Lightspeed delivers a differentiated, high impact solution that sets a new standard for AI assisted observability at the edge.

Key Challenges

The unique value proposition of OpenShift Lightspeed emerges from three foundational architectural principles that differentiate it from competing observability and AI assistant solutions.

• First, complete data sovereignty through local large language model deployment ensures that no operational telemetry, diagnostic information, or conversational context ever leaves customer controlled infrastructure. While competitors rely on cloud hosted AI services that introduce latency, compliance risks, and external dependencies, Lightspeed operates autonomously within the OpenShift environment using vLLM optimized inference that delivers production grade performance without compromising security posture.
• Second, context aware observability powered by Model Context Protocol integration enables Lightspeed to reason across the complete operational landscape of OpenShift clusters. Rather than providing isolated answers to individual queries, the system correlates metrics from Prometheus, logs from cluster logging stacks, Openshift events, resource manifests, and configuration data to deliver holistic diagnostic insights. This multi signal correlation capability dramatically reduces mean time to resolution during incidents by eliminating manual context switching between disparate monitoring tools and accelerating the identification of root causes in complex distributed systems.
• Third, role based access control integration ensures that AI assisted observability respects organizational security boundaries. Lightspeed enforces OpenShift RBAC policies at the query level, preventing privilege escalation and ensuring that developers, platform engineers, and security teams receive appropriately scoped insights. This permission aware intelligence enables enterprise wide deployment of AI capabilities without introducing new security attack surfaces or compromising compliance requirements.

Transformation Benefits

1. Financial Benefits Lightspeed reduces operational costs by lowering mean time to resolution (MTTR), minimizing downtime, and decreasing reliance on external consultants or premium cloud AI services. The local-first approach also avoids recurring API usage fees and reduces vendor dependency.
2. Employee Benefits Platform engineers benefit from faster troubleshooting, reduced cognitive load, and easier access to institutional knowledge. This improves productivity, job satisfaction, and onboarding efficiency while reducing burnout during incident response.
3. Product / Service Offering Improvements Operational efficiency improves through faster issue diagnosis, consistent best-practice guidance, and reduced error rates. This leads to more stable platforms and shorter time-to-market for applications deployed on OpenShift.
4. Customer Benefits More stable platforms result in higher service reliability, improved customer experience, and increased trust. Faster resolution of incidents directly impacts service availability and satisfaction metrics.
5. Others The solution strengthens organizational knowledge retention and promotes standardized operational practices across teams.

Conclusion

OpenShift Lightspeed represents a significant advancement in how artificial intelligence can be applied to critical infrastructure operations. By combining local large language model deployment, Model Context Protocol integration, and deep OpenShift platform integration, the solution delivers enterprise grade AI assisted observability without compromising data sovereignty, security posture, or regulatory compliance. The measurable improvements in mean time to resolution, operational confidence, and engineer productivity demonstrate tangible business value, while the elimination of external dependencies and cloud service costs provides ongoing operational benefits. As enterprises increasingly seek to leverage generative AI capabilities while maintaining control over sensitive operational data, OpenShift Lightspeed provides a replicable blueprint for responsible AI deployment in production infrastructure. The project demonstrates that advanced AI assistance can be delivered securely, efficiently, and effectively within customer controlled environments, establishing a new standard for intelligent observability at the edge.

Lessons Learned

• One key lesson learned is that generative AI adoption must start with trust and control. Engineers are far more willing to embrace AI assistance when they know their data remains local and secure.
• Another lesson is that performance matters: low-latency responses are essential for AI tools to be useful during real incidents.
• We also learned that AI is most effective when grounded in official documentation and real operational context, rather than acting as a generic chatbot.
• Finally, flexibility in model choice and deployment is critical, as organizations have varying infrastructure constraints and security requirements.

nLighten introduces nConnect

nLighten, a leading digital infrastructure platform and a frontrunner in the European edge data center market, has launched nConnect, its new network service platform. This solution delivers versatile network services across all nConnect enabled nLighten data centers throughout Europe.

Through the nConnect platform businesses can seamlessly connect to data centers, internet, and cloud providers, ensuring high-performance and low-latency access across Europe. Built on a resilient, route-diverse network spanning 12 of nLighten’s 34 edge data center locations, the platform is supported by the latest data center networking architecture.

nConnect provides clients with a range of services, including Cloud Connect, DC Connect, Direct Internet Access (DIA), and IP Transit (IPT), all seamlessly integrating with their presence in nLighten data centers. This ensures effortless connectivity and streamlined network integration, offering clients:

• Quick provisioning and flexible bandwidth options
• Latest data center networking architecture supporting segmentation, DDoS protection, and advanced analytics
• Standardized SLA and pricing model with no long-term contracts
• One-stop shop for multiple services, reducing complexity and costs.

Joachim van Collenburg, VP of Product Management at nLighten, highlights the advantages of nConnect:

“With nConnect, customers benefit from ultra-fast provisioning, flexible bandwidth options, and the latest data center networking architecture. This is particularly valuable for businesses looking to establish an edge performance hub in a new region or enterprises seeking cost-effective disaster recovery solutions with built-in geo-redundancy.”

Expanding Connectivity Across Key European Markets

nConnect is now available in four of the seven markets where nLighten operates, including:

• The Netherlands: Amsterdam (AMS1 and AMS2)
• Germany: Frankfurt (FRA1)
• France: Paris (PAR2)
• United Kingdom: Birmingham (BHX1), Bristol (BRS1), Chester (MAN1), Leeds (LBA1), Liverpool (PLP1), Milton Keynes (LTN1), Nottingham (EMA1), and Swindon (BRS2).

A phased rollout to additional nLighten edge data centers is planned later this year, ensuring low latency and high-performance connectivity across Europe.

Boldyn Networks BSH09: bringing critical connectivity to London with a compact edge-optimised footprint

BSH09 Edge Data Centre Project

Introduction

MiCiM acted as principal contractors for BSH09, part of Boldyn’s national Edge programme and one of 10 Base Station Hotels (BSHs) delivering critical connectivity across London.

BSH09 was constructed within an existing commercial unit on a business park in London, transforming the internal structure while retaining the building shell. As a cornerstone of Boldyn’s 20-year partnership with Transport for London (TfL), the facility provides resilient, high-performance infrastructure for the rollout of 4G and 5G connectivity on the London Underground. It operates as a neutral-host platform while also supporting future smart-city applications.

By hosting head-end equipment and acting as a Point-of-Presence for fibre connectivity, BSH09 establishes a managed facility from which Boldyn can deliver reliable services and mission-critical support for TfL’s mobile connectivity programme, alongside enterprise and public sector clients.

Designed to Tier III standards, the facility combines resilience, energy efficiency, and flexibility in a compact, edge-optimised footprint. It supports a 400kW IT leased load, with two data halls built to Mobile Network Operator (MNO) requirements, N+1 UPS systems, and N+1 cooling to ensure mission-critical availability.

Multi-tenant, multi-service integration allows IT and telecoms-grade equipment to coexist, while advanced monitoring and automation maintain operational excellence. The design also ensures that no single failure reduces mobile network coverage beyond strict contractual thresholds.

Sustainability is embedded throughout the project, with energy-efficient systems aligned with London’s net-zero ambitions. The adaptable facility supports future digital services for Mobile Network Operators, the Greater London Authority, and London boroughs, enabling smarter, safer, and more connected communities.

The Project Business Case

BSH09 was commissioned to meet Boldyn’s connectivity requirements, including optimised cable lengths and robust disaster-recovery capabilities. The design ensures that no single point of failure can reduce network availability beyond agreed limits.

Traditional centralised data centres could not deliver the low-latency and resilient performance required for the 4G/5G rollout and future smart-city services. Edge deployment provided the ideal solution by locating processing and aggregation closer to end users.

This architecture enhances reliability, reduces latency, and supports operational continuity for critical communications. Network loads can be distributed across multiple urban nodes, maintaining service continuity even during site faults.

BSH09 integrates multi-service, multi-operator equipment with high-capacity optical distribution and digital conversion systems. Advanced monitoring through SNMP, building management systems, and power oversight enables proactive management and operational resilience.

From a commercial perspective, BSH09 establishes an efficient neutral-host platform that reduces infrastructure duplication while supporting London-wide connectivity, safety, and smart-city initiatives.

Management of the Project

Site selection was the first critical stage, with the decision taken to repurpose an existing industrial building. The design phase progressed through RIBA Stages 2–3 to establish a neutral-host architecture with the required resilience standards while balancing spatial constraints.

Intrusive surveys revealed existing conditions and informed the detailed design at Stage 4. Structural enhancements were required, and a key decision was made to replace, rather than reinforce, the existing slab to ensure long-term capacity for the 400kW IT load.

Significant structural interventions effectively created a “building within a building.” Existing walls and floors were removed, and new steelwork and piling were installed to support equipment loads.

Procurement of long-lead equipment such as UPS systems, switchgear, CRAC units, and generators began during Stages 2–3 to mitigate supply-chain risks.

Construction began with mobilisation, demolition, and slab replacement, followed by piling and structural works. Mechanical and electrical systems were then installed, including power, cooling, fire protection, security, and building management systems.

Commissioning took place in five stages, from Factory Acceptance Testing to Integrated Systems Testing (IST). All stages were completed successfully, confirming full resilience across mechanical and electrical installations. Practical Completion was achieved in August 2025.

The programme faced several challenges, including buried services, supply-chain delays, and coordination between multiple stakeholders such as TfL, local authorities, MNOs, contractors, and suppliers. Through collaborative planning and flexible sequencing, the project remained on track.

Key Innovations

BSH09 required the integration of mixed rack types, including standard IT racks and open-architecture telecoms racks, within the same data hall. Their differing dimensions and service requirements meant that power, cooling, and cabling distribution could not follow uniform patterns.

Each rack type required customised service connections. Bespoke layouts and airflow modelling were used to optimise hot- and cold-aisle performance while maintaining appropriate cooling distribution.

To support these challenges, the commissioning agent (CxA) was engaged early in the design phase. A Commissioning Acceptance Testing Procedure (ATP) was implemented to validate systems during the project lifecycle.

“BSH09 has been substantially different to the average air-cooled data centre due to the equipment it hosts, presenting interesting technical challenges around optimisation of air distribution. Its non-traditional use and urban location required innovative thinking to optimise space utilisation without compromising white-space demand.”
Villie Xeni, Associate Director at MiCiM

Meeting Objectives

BSH09 was developed to meet two parallel objectives: delivering resilient digital infrastructure for the London Underground’s mobile connectivity rollout and establishing a neutral-host platform capable of supporting multiple operators and enterprise clients.

The project demonstrated that compact, multi-service data centres could be delivered within constrained urban environments while maintaining strict operational performance standards.

The facility was completed on schedule and fully aligned with client expectations, delivering a flexible, scalable, and operationally robust platform for TfL and MNO stakeholders.

The Wider Impact of the Project

BSH09 demonstrates that resilient, small-footprint edge data centres can be successfully delivered within dense urban environments. Built to support Boldyn’s mobile connectivity programme, the facility also provides a scalable neutral-host platform for multiple operators.

The project proves that high operational standards, commercial viability, and timely delivery can coexist even in complex city-centre sites.

Its design allows adaptation for future connectivity technologies, and the lessons learned in space optimisation, resilience engineering, and stakeholder coordination provide a repeatable model for future edge infrastructure deployments.

BSH09 ultimately represents a practical example of delivering high-performance digital infrastructure within challenging brownfield environments, reinforcing Boldyn Networks’ commitment to scalable, connected city solutions.

Josh Ackers, BCS Consultancy - Emerging Talent in the Data Centre Industry

1. Career Path & Achievements

Josh Ackers, Team Leader - Project Management at BCS Consultancy, has progressed rapidly within the data centre industry, moving from sector newcomer to senior delivery and people leadership roles in under three years.

Originally trained as a civil engineer in his home country of New Zealand, Josh began his career delivering infrastructure, flooding and utilities projects before transitioning into project management across large-scale residential and coastal developments. This foundation gave him strong technical capability, commercial awareness and experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.

Josh joined BCS Consultancy, the global data centre consultancy helping clients plan, deliver and optimise data centres across the full lifecycle, in 2023, relocating to London with no prior data centre experience. He was recruited for his transferable project management expertise and quickly immersed himself in the data centre sector, recognising its pace, complexity and growing importance to global digital infrastructure.

Within his first year at BCS, Josh progressed from Consultant-level Project Manager to Project Lead, taking responsibility for front-end, pre-construction data centre projects. He specialised in early-stage delivery, guiding clients from site acquisition and due diligence through planning, design strategy and procurement readiness. A key early achievement included leading a high-density liquid cooling project, supporting the rollout of emerging technologies critical to AI-ready facilities.

By 2025, Josh had stepped into a key client contact role, managing multiple projects and acting as the primary interface between clients and BCS delivery teams. He now leads portfolios for major UK campus developments while also supporting new developers entering the data centre market, helping translate complex requirements into clear, deliverable strategies.

In recognition of his impact, Josh was promoted to Team Leader in June 2025, moving from managing no direct reports to providing pastoral leadership and resource management for a team of seven consultants, while leading wider delivery teams of up to 12 people across live projects. He also operates in a client-side secondment role, acting as lead project manager for a property developer building its data centre portfolio.

Josh’s progression from industry entrant to trusted leader in under three years highlights both his individual capability and his contribution to delivering complex, high-value data centre projects at pace.

2. Industry Contribution

Josh plays an active role in supporting both BCS Consultancy’s employer brand and the wider data centre industry, with a particular focus on people development and internal knowledge sharing. As a Team Leader at BCS, Josh mentors colleagues and supports those who are new to the data centre industry, helping them translate skills from adjacent sectors into mission-critical infrastructure delivery. He is closely involved in coaching, development conversations and day-to-day guidance, directly contributing to BCS’s commitment to building future talent and addressing the industry-wide skills shortage.

A key part of Josh’s contribution is his leadership of internal “Lunch & Learn” sessions at BCS. He regularly collaborates with industry experts to organise informal knowledge-sharing sessions, designed to make complex industry topics more accessible.

• What a new government means for the built environment
• Data Centre sustainability
• AI and its Effect on MEP Installations
• and more

By encouraging open discussion and shared learning, Josh helps raise technical confidence and delivery capability across teams, while reinforcing BCS’s collaborative, human-led ethos. Externally, Josh also acts as a trusted advisor to new developers and investors entering the data centre market, supporting them in understanding best practice around early-stage planning, risk and delivery strategy. Through mentoring, education and hands-on leadership, Josh contributes to strengthening both BCS’s reputation and the broader capability of the data centre industry. Josh keeps his finger on the pulse by regularly attending industry events across EMEA to stay up to date with the latest industry innovations and the challenges being faced.

4. Vision of Success

For Josh, success is defined personally by happiness and in the business world by long-term impact. Professionally, his vision is to continue developing as a leader in front-end data centre delivery, helping clients make better decisions earlier in the project lifecycle – where the greatest value, sustainability impact and risk reduction can be achieved.

In terms of the future of data centres and his vision moving forward, he is particularly interested in the developments in the data centre industry in APAC and how these will affect the market in EMEA and vice versa.

Josh also sees success as building and empowering high-performing teams. Having benefited from trust and opportunity early in his BCS career, he is committed to creating the same environment for others – where people are supported, challenged and given responsibility to grow quickly.

As the data centre industry faces increasing pressure from AI demand, sustainability targets and skills shortages, Josh’s inspires to help deliver infrastructure that is not only scalable and efficient, but built by capable, supported people

5. Reference Letter

From Project Manager to industry leader, Josh has spent the last three years proving that the Data Centre industry is built on the people. Coming from an engineering background, Josh didn’t just step into the data centre world; he jumped in with both feet and embraced every second. While the technical learning curve of power densities and acronyms is notoriously steep, Josh has mastered the environment in record time. His rapid rise isn’t just about technical grit; it’s about his core belief that technical complexity shouldn’t overshadow purpose.

What makes Josh stand out is his refreshingly genuine approach. He leads with a no-ego philosophy that balances strong direction with exceptional followship. He understands when to take the lead and when to empower the team. This approach has created a culture of trust where team members feel heard and stakeholders feel safe. In our challenging industry, Josh brings a level of authenticity and maturity beyond his years, that turns standard delivery into true partnership. He genuinely cares.

Josh possesses a rare real-world intuition for client needs. He has progressed beyond the traditional project management approach to asking the deeper questions:

• How will this impact the end-user?
• What does the client actually need to sleep better at night?
• What solution is required?

By bridging the gap between high-level strategy and the reality of the construction, Josh ensures that the final solution isn’t just a technical success, but a business solution. He ensures that the human element is never lost despite the technical noise.

The results of this human-first delivery is clear. Beyond schedule milestones and the successful handovers, Josh has built a reputation for reliability and warmth. Transforming the way his team communicates, breaking down silos and replacing them with open, honest dialogue. Josh represents the shift in our industry, a move toward leaders who is comfortable with emotional intelligence. He hasn’t just adapted to the Data Centre world; he has made it better by being exactly who they are: a genuine, dedicated, and highly effective individual.

Comments from Chris Coward, COO, BCS Consulting.

Mission-Critical Facility SaaS

MCIM represents a category shift in mission-critical facility management: it’s the first SaaS platform designed to enforce data quality and operational reliability at the point of execution, not after the fact. By preventing bad data from entering the system and embedding reliability into every workflow, MCIM transforms day-to-day operations into trusted, actionable intelligence that materially reduces risk in data center environments.

The platform is purpose-built exclusively for mission-critical data center environments. Unlike generic CMMS, EAM, or DCIM tools, MCIM unifies operations, maintenance, compliance, asset intelligence, and capital planning on a single platform designed around how data centers actually operate.

Plus, MCIM’s leadership team brings decades of hands-on experience operating, engineering, and managing mission-critical data center environments, including roles as chief engineers, operators, and infrastructure leaders responsible for always-on facilities.

MCIM’s core differentiator is simple and decisive: it prevents operational failures by ensuring only clean, reliable, and standardized data is created and used across mission-critical facilities.

Key distinguishing features include:

• A single system of record that eliminates silos between IT, OT, facilities, and vendors
• Clean data by design, with guardrails that prevent bad data from being created at the point of capture
• Proprietary asset performance and failure intelligence drawn from over one million mission-critical assets globally
• Embedded industry standards (ASHRAE, NETA, ISO, SOPs/MOPs) so best practice is operationalized, not documented and ignored
• A platform that scales from site-level execution to portfolio-level strategy without custom code

MCIM also delivers measurable, repeatable outcomes for some of the world’s most demanding data center operators.

Documented customer impact includes:

• 84% reduction in human-error incidents within 18 months by standardizing workflows and eliminating manual processes
• Over $1 million in annual savings for a single multi-site operator by digitizing MOP execution and reporting
• 11,000 technician hours saved annually through automation and cleaner data collection
• Identification and correction of 65% asset data error rates, dramatically reducing audit risk and downtime exposure
• Early detection of systemic UPS battery failures, preventing widespread outages and informing capital planning decisions

(These outcomes are drawn from documented pre- and post-implementation analyses, incident trend reviews, audit findings, and operational reporting across multiple mission-critical data center portfolios).

In terms of MCIM’s customer service, our model is fundamentally different: we operate as an extension of our customers’ teams, not a ticketing queue.

Our customer service differentiators include:

• High-touch, consultative onboarding, including on-site asset audits and data cleanup to ensure customers start with clean data on day one
• Customer Success teams staffed with former chief engineers and data center operators (not generic SaaS support)
• Continuous optimization support that ties platform usage directly to customer KPIs such as uptime, SLA compliance, and asset life
• Proven 98% renewal rate, reflecting deep operational entrenchment and trust
• 24×7 support for global operators, aligned to the realities of always-on infrastructure

MCIM’s service model is built on shared accountability for operational outcomes. Our teams actively partner with customers to reduce risk, strengthen compliance, and improve uptime, remaining engaged well beyond go-live to ensure the platform delivers measurable, ongoing operational resilience.

Customers consistently cite MCIM’s service model as a key reason they replace larger, more established vendors.

Compared to traditional CMMS, EAM, and DCIM providers, MCIM differentiates itself from the competition in four critical ways:

1. Built for data centers, not adapted for them: MCIM was designed from day one for mission-critical infrastructure. Competitors often require heavy customization to reach parity.
2. Clean data as a feature, not a promise: MCIM prevents dirty data at the source, whereas competitors rely on reporting layers to mask underlying data quality issues.
3. Unified workflows, not stitched-together modules: Customers avoid the cost, complexity, and risk of integrating multiple tools to achieve a “single pane of glass.”
4. Partnership over product: MCIM customers consistently outperform peers because they are not left to “go it alone.” Our teams stay engaged long after go-live.

Downtime carries material financial and reputational risk; fragmented tools and unreliable data create hidden failure modes and false confidence. MCIM eliminates these risks by providing a single, trusted operational backbone for mission-critical facilities.

The result is fewer outages, stronger compliance, better capital decisions, and higher confidence at every level: from technicians on the floor to boards and investors.

At a market level, MCIM is trusted by three of the top four global colocation providers, eight of the top ten global banks, and operators spanning more than 6.5 GW of IT capacity across six continents.

This level of adoption reflects a broader industry shift away from fragmented CMMS, EAM, and DCIM tools toward unified, reliability-driven platforms that can operate at global scale without compromising uptime or compliance.

All of this enables operators to make every center stronger - operationally, financially, and strategically.

Customer Testimonials:

I have worked closely with the leaders at MCIM for over 20 years within the Banking and Finance industry and have consistently found them to be an exceptional technology partner. Their products are reliable, well-designed, and continually evolving to meet the complex and highly regulated needs of financial institutions.

MCIM distinguishes itself through outstanding customer service and highly effective implementation teams. Projects are executed professionally, on schedule, and with a clear focus on operational resilience, security, and long-term success.

What truly sets MCIM apart is their forward-thinking approach to business development and technology. Their staff is well trained, knowledgeable, and proactive in identifying opportunities to improve performance, compliance, and overall value.

Based on decades of experience working together, I can confidently recommend MCIM as a trusted, innovative, and results-driven partner for organizations in the Banking and Finance sector.

-Vice President at Barclays Bank

Working with MCIM has been an outstanding experience from start to finish. Their commitment to delivering high-level service and support truly sets them apart. It’s rare to find a partner so dedicated to ensuring things are done right and done well. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the results or the level of care provided.

-Senior Technology Consultant at Global Financial Services Leader

Fantastic implementation team to work with. Clear communication of project milestones and schedules, customized for our go-live, and top notch all the way!

-Senior Project Manager at Leading Investment Firm

MCIM has been a key partner in the holistic management of our data center and facility operations. Bringing all asset-related data into one flexible, adaptable system has been one of MCIM’s greatest strengths and has greatly improved our operational efficiency.

-Critical Infrastructure Engineer at Major Financial Technology Company

Case Studies:

https://mcim.io/case-studies/reducing-human-error-with-mcim/
https://mcim.io/case-studies/saving-1mil-year-with-mcim/
https://mcim.io/case-studies/streamlining-capital-planning-with-mcim/

Setting the Standard for Independent Data Centre Commissioning & Assurance

Overview

Global Commissioning is a specialist, independent data centre commissioning company operating across the UK, Europe, and South Africa. The company supports some of the world’s most complex and mission-critical data centre programmes, providing leadership during one of the most critical moments in the data centre lifecycle: the transition from construction into live operation. This is when systems must perform exactly as designed under real operational conditions, and where risk, safety, programme certainty, and long-term operational performance are determined.

Key Distinguishing Features / USP

1. Lifecycle-Led Commissioning: Global Commissioning is embedded from early design intent through to final integration, handover, and occupancy. This proactive approach reduces rework, mitigates late-stage risk, improves safety outcomes, and saves significant client time and cost.
2. Full Independence: Every engineer and manager is directly employed, rigorously trained, and aligned to a single commissioning methodology, ensuring impartiality, consistency, and accountability across complex, multi-vendor projects.
3. Comprehensive Service Offering: The company provides Commissioning Management (CxM), Commissioning Agent (CxA), electrical safety, and project management services across all commissioning levels (Level 0 through Level 6).
4. One Team Philosophy: Global Commissioning works collaboratively with clients, contractors, designers, and vendors to remove barriers, conduct live design reviews, and provide hands-on support outside of strict contractual scope where it materially benefits programme outcomes.
5. Proven Technical Expertise: The company has repeatedly been appointed to recover programmes, de-risk late-stage delivery, and lead complex integrated systems testing, often identifying design, procurement, or equipment issues that would otherwise result in operational risk.

Market Impact & Outcomes

• Enhanced operational resilience and reduced project risk through early-stage design reviews and lifecycle involvement.
• Improved industry standards and awareness by identifying systemic issues and sharing knowledge across the delivery ecosystem.
• High client confidence and repeat appointments across multiple regions, including critical power infrastructure and complex live environments.
• Recognised on the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies list for two consecutive years, reflecting strong market demand, repeat client trust, and sustained technical excellence.
• Delivery-first mindset leading to tangible outcomes: accelerated project schedules, safer handovers, and reliable operational performance.

Internal Capability & Sustainability

• Structured training, continuous professional development, and an internal academy ensure technical alignment and excellence across geographies and project scales.
• Independent and scalable operating model supports global expansion without compromising safety, quality, or delivery standards.
• Commitment to raising industry commissioning standards and embedding commissioning as a critical enabler of safe, reliable, and high-performing digital infrastructure.

Major Differentiators

• Fully independent, non-contractor operating model from senior leadership to engineers.
• Embedded lifecycle involvement from design through live operation.
• Proven capability across data centres, substations, and critical power infrastructure.
• Structured software and process solutions that improve visibility, control, and project outcomes.
• Delivery-first ethos that consistently earns repeat client trust and multi-region appointments.

Penta Infra HAM01: An AI-ready, ultra-efficient and sustainable urban data centre in Hamburg

Penta Infra HAM01: An AI-ready, ultra-efficient and sustainable urban data centre in Hamburg

Opened in September 2025 in the north of Hamburg, the economic powerhouse of Northern Germany, Penta Infra HAM01 is a brand new 4.4 megawatt facility with 2500 m² of IT space. The facility is adaptable for air or liquid cooling, or hybrid mixes.

It features a photovoltaic facade, green roof and highly efficient cooling systems that run on natural refrigerants, supporting a design PUE of 1.2. HAM01 is cloud & carrier neutral and is located directly on the main fiber backbones, with easy access to a very wide range of connectivity options.

The data centre is EN 50600 AC-3 certified and TÜVIT TSI Level 3 compliant. It has redundant power supplies and fiber entries, first-class fire suppression and robust security.

Penta Infra believes that the new data centre makes an excellent candidate for the DCS Greenfield Project of the Year Award for a number of reasons, including its flexible, GPU-ready configuration, its sustainable design features, its innovative cooling system and the positive impact it is having on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Flexible, GPU-ready design

HAM01 has been designed with AI in mind and is electrically and mechanically configured to be HPC and GPU-ready while still supporting traditional densities and cooling. The facility layout is optimized for scalable and high-density deployments.

It is structurally reinforced and features a raised floor ready for AI, with CDU provisioning options for liquid cooling and oversized busbars for additional MEP flexibility. For major implementations, it is also possible to accelerate the phased build-out, giving larger AI-focused customers faster speed to market.

Sustainable design features

With 14% of the city dedicated to parks and forests and stringent design, construction and operational regulations, Hamburg is an extremely environmentally conscious city. Like Penta’s other facilities across Europe, HAM01 covers 100% of its customer IT load with wind and solar power purchase agreements, resulting in net-zero operational emissions.

It also has a number of features designed to support and further local sustainable objectives:

• Onsite solar: The facility has photovoltaic (solar PV) panels integrated into the western (front) facade with 74 kW capacity.
• Green roof: HAM01 has a green roof which improves energy efficiency, enhances sustainability and marginally reduces operating costs. It provides natural insulation, reduces the energy required for cooling and mitigates the urban heat island effect while managing stormwater runoff, improving local biodiversity and enhancing aesthetics.
• Heat reuse: HAM01 has two heat exchangers in the basement that enable it to connect to a district heating network. 60% of thermal output can be redirected to the Hamburg Energy Campus municipal district heating network, and they are currently in the process of proposing potential heating recipients to Penta Infra.

Advanced high-efficiency chillers and cooling

HAM01 uses six Secon air-cooled propane (R290) roof-mounted chillers, each with a cooling capacity of 960 kW (272 TR) and a refrigerant charge of 38 kg (84 lbs) split across four separate refrigerant circuits.

The efficiency and reliability of the chillers was benchmarked against synthetic refrigerant alternatives in advance of the build by the Penta Infra Engineering team. Following this review, propane was chosen as a refrigerant because it combines excellent thermodynamic efficiency with a very low GWP, providing high energy performance while matching sustainability targets.

Due to these benefits, an increasing number of customers are requesting natural rather than synthetic refrigerant.

The water for the IT space is cooled to 20°C (68°F) and sent to computer room air-handlers, with the water returning to the chillers at a temperature of 32°C (89.6°F). Air is supplied at 24°C (75°F).

The chillers feature a master–slave network with two fully redundant and self-monitoring master controllers. They also come equipped with automatic transfer switches and uninterruptible power supplies for the controllers.

The chillers include free cooling to take advantage of the local climate to improve efficiency. The power supply and control of the free coolers is managed by the chillers, which enables the full cooling capacity to be covered by free cooling.

• Pre-cooling mode starts at 27°C (80.6°F)
• Full free cooling is available from 16.5°C (61.7°F)
• Up to 80% of the hours in the year can be covered by free cooling

This is a decisive factor in achieving a PUE of 1.2, which exceeds the requirements of the German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG).

Positive neighbourhood impact

Penta Infra went the extra mile during this development to become an asset to the neighbourhood. In addition to incorporating state-of-the-art heat reuse capabilities for local use, a great deal of collaboration, creative design and investment has made HAM01 a good neighbour from the outset, optimising acceptance and integration of the facility with other businesses and organisations in the surrounding area.

As part of the development, Penta Infra designed and built two new buildings for their neighbours:

• A new parking garage for their neighbours Lufthansa
• A brand new fire station for neighbours the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Eppendorf – the Eppendorf Volunteer Fire Department

For all of the above reasons, Penta Infra believes that HAM01 is an excellent candidate for the DCS Greenfield Project of the Year Award, combining sustainability, community benefits and innovation with accelerated compute capability.

You can watch a fly-through of the facility on the Penta website: penta-infra.com/data-centers/hamburg/

DPI and PODTECH Partner to Accelerate AI Infrastructure Deployment Globally

The rapid global adoption of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing has created unprecedented demand for scalable, high-density data centre infrastructure. Traditional data centre construction methods often struggle to keep pace with the speed, scalability, and efficiency required to support modern AI workloads.

Datalec Precision Installations recognised the need for a faster, more scalable infrastructure deployment model that could deliver fully operational data centre environments capable of supporting high-density GPU infrastructure and advanced AI applications. To address this challenge, Datalec partnered with PODTECH to develop and deploy modular data centre infrastructure solutions designed to accelerate infrastructure deployment while maintaining the highest standards of reliability and performance.

PODTECH brings extensive capability across environmental telemetry, power systems, server commissioning, integrations, facilities management and mobilisation, delivered through a team of 60 highly skilled technical resources across the UK, Asia, and the Middle East. Supporting enterprise clients and hyperscalers globally, PODTECH has a proven track record of enabling complex infrastructure readiness at scale.

The partnership builds on successful collaborations including NVIDIA AI rack deployments for international hyperscaler programmes. Together, DPI and PODTECH will provide end-to-end infrastructure services engineered for AI workloads, which now account for 75% of hyperscaler capital expenditure.

A Unified AI-Focused Offering

Together, DPI and PODTECH now offer integrated capabilities across the full AI infrastructure lifecycle, including:

• Infrastructure connectivity
• NVlink fabric configuration
• GPU testing
• Compute node initialisation
• DOA testing
• SAT/FAT pre-deployment validation
• Network validation and bootstrapping

This combined service offering ensures every AI environment is fully prepared, validated, and deployment-ready, enabling clients to accelerate AI initiatives with confidence, performance, and reliability.

“As organisations accelerate their AI adoption, the reliability and performance of the underlying infrastructure have never been more critical,” said James Bangs, Technology & Services Director at DPI. “At DPI, we’re proud to support our partners and clients with a full suite of technical services designed for the next generation of AI data centre environments. Building on our partnership with PODTECH, we have already delivered multiple successful deployments together, and this formal collaboration enables us to scale our capabilities globally.”

PODTECH echoed the excitement behind the announcement.

“Following our successful collaborations with Datalec on major NVIDIA AI rack deployments, we are very proud to officially combine our capabilities,” said Harry Pod, Founder at PODTECH. “By working as one integrated delivery team, we can provide clients with packaged, pre-staged, and deployment-ready AI infrastructure solutions grounded in quality, precision, and engineering excellence.”

Node4's Virtual Data Centre Platform: Enabling Seamless Migration and Managed Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure

As organisations increasingly modernise their IT infrastructure, many faced significant uncertainty and operational risk due to evolving vendor licensing models, infrastructure complexity, and the growing need for scalable and resilient cloud environments. Customers required a reliable solution that would enable them to migrate critical workloads from legacy environments into a secure, fully managed infrastructure while ensuring business continuity and operational efficiency.

Node4 identified a clear need to support organisations in transitioning from traditional infrastructure and VMware-based environments into modern, scalable, and resilient managed hybrid cloud platforms. The objective was to provide customers with a secure, fully managed infrastructure solution that eliminated operational complexity while improving scalability, performance, and resilience.

To address this challenge, Node4 implemented its Virtual Data Centre (VDC) platform, enabling customers to migrate workloads into Node4’s managed infrastructure and operate their environments within a secure, scalable, and highly resilient hybrid cloud model.

Data Center Migrations, Rack Deployments, Rack Elevations and Cable Matrix designs

Data Center IT Infrastructure – Specialized Capabilities Nominee

Data center IT infrastructure does not fail dramatically; it fails quietly, expensively, and often invisibly. The disciplines of data center migrations, rack deployments, rack elevations, and cable matrix design sit at the absolute center of this risk profile. They are the foundation upon which availability, scalability, performance, and operational continuity depend.

Our organization is entering the DCS Awards because we believe this work is not only essential—but among the most specialized and consequential capabilities in the data center ecosystem today. While cloud services and software innovation often dominate headlines, physical and hybrid infrastructure remains the backbone of enterprise IT. Every application, workload, and service ultimately relies on correctly designed, deployed, labeled, powered, cooled, and interconnected physical assets. Our work operates precisely at this intersection of strategy and execution—where mistakes are measured not in inconvenience, but in downtime, revenue loss, regulatory exposure, and reputational damage.

Data Center Migrations

Data center migrations represent one of the highest-risk undertakings an organization can face. They involve live environments, compressed timelines, multiple vendors, legacy systems, and zero tolerance for error. Our methodology treats migrations not as “moves,” but as engineered transitions. We combine:

• Exhaustive discovery and dependency mapping
• Structured runbooks and phased cutovers
• Rollback planning and real-time coordination

The value we deliver is not just successful relocation—it is risk elimination, predictability, and confidence for our clients’ leadership teams.

Rack Deployments & Rack Elevations

Rack deployments and elevations directly impact power density, airflow efficiency, serviceability, and long-term scalability. Poor elevation design leads to stranded capacity, thermal inefficiencies, and maintenance challenges. Our approach integrates:

• Power budgeting and weight distribution
• Redundancy planning
• Future growth modeling and operational ergonomics

We do not simply install equipment—we engineer environments that are sustainable, auditable, and built for change.

Cable Matrix Design

Cable matrix design is where precision becomes discipline. In modern data centers, cabling is no longer passive—it is a system. Mismanaged cabling increases mean time to repair, obscures visibility, and amplifies human error. Our cable matrix designs:

• Establish deterministic pathways for connectivity
• Enforce labeling and documentation standards
• Support cross-connect strategies
• Align physical layouts with logical architectures

This creates environments that are faster to troubleshoot, safer to modify, and resilient under pressure.

Operational Maturity & Global Impact

What truly differentiates our organization is not just technical skill, but operational maturity at scale. We deliver these services globally, across diverse regulatory environments, facility standards, and client maturity levels. We act as an extension of our clients’ teams, coordinating seamlessly with data center operators, network architects, OEMs, carriers, and application stakeholders. Our work enables others to succeed.

In short, we are not adjacent to data center excellence—we are foundational to it. Our specialization ensures that digital transformation has a stable, resilient, and intelligently designed physical reality beneath it. That is why we believe our work represents one of the most critical and underrecognized pillars of data center IT infrastructure—and why it deserves recognition at the DCS Awards.

Critical Careers: Celebrating Women in Digital Infrastructure

Introduction

“Being included in Critical Careers - alongside so many trailblazing women who inspire me - has been a moment of deep reflection and gratitude.” Melanie Kiely, Senior Director, Oracle

“I’ve been rather reflective since seeing the [Critical Careers] book at the launch, I think because I didn’t have the right words for how unique the experience was. We talk about the strength and resilience of women, but it’s always somewhat intangible or ethereal – and this book made it feel so real, so physical. But, Critical Careers is not just a coffee table book, it's a lesson in resilience, persistence and belief. It highlights how women overcome, and how grateful we all are to work with so many other female powerhouses - we see you.” Catriona Shearer, Global Head of Data Centre Consulting, JLL

Critical Careers is an industry-wide initiative created to address two fundamental challenges facing the data centre sector: a growing talent shortage that demands a more diverse workforce, and a persistent perception problem that leaves the industry feeling inaccessible or misunderstood, particularly by women. Launched by Kao Data, the initiative uses the power of storytelling to advance diversity and inclusion while reshaping how digital infrastructure is seen by those both inside and outside the sector.

The objective of Critical Careers

As demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, the industry is under increasing pressure to attract and retain people from a broader range of backgrounds. Careers in data centres are often perceived as highly technical, male-dominated or limited to a narrow set of roles. This disconnect means that many women with relevant skills and experience never consider the industry as a viable or welcoming career path.

The first objective of Critical Careers is to support workforce diversification by elevating the women already shaping the future of digital infrastructure. The initiative showcases real stories from women across engineering, operations, sustainability, HR, marketing, real estate and leadership, spanning different career stages, backgrounds and geographies. Recognition in our sector often comes through 'Top 10' or 'Top 100' lists. While those accolades have their place, they don’t always capture the quieter, yet meaningful contributions of the many women powering our industry. Critical Careers highlights authentic, lived experiences of women that include non-linear career paths, career pivots and moments of challenge as well as success. This approach reinforces the message that there is no single route into the industry and that a wide range of skills and perspectives are both needed and valued.

The second objective is to address the industry’s perception problem by making digital infrastructure more visible and relatable to women who may never have considered it before. By utilising storytelling instead of relying on technical jargon or traditional employer branding, Critical Careers demystifies the sector and reframes it as a place where women can build meaningful, long-term careers. The initiative acts as a gateway for students, career changers and early-career professionals to see themselves reflected in roles they may not previously have considered.

Why is Critical Careers Unique?

A key differentiator of Critical Careers is its collaborative, industry-wide approach. Although founded by Kao Data, the initiative spotlights women from across the digital infrastructure ecosystem, regardless of employer. Uniquely, Critical Careers includes Kao Data’s competitors highlighting an entirely agnostic approach to this campaign. This decision positions diversity and inclusion as a shared responsibility, encouraging collaboration across an industry that often operates in silos. It sends a clear signal that addressing the talent shortage requires collective action.

First Steps

Critical Careers launched with an aspirational coffee table book featuring 30 women from 28 companies across 6 continents, supported by a digital platform that made the stories accessible to a global audience. Its debut at Datacloud Global Congress created a moment of visibility and recognition for the women featured and generated strong community engagement. As the initiative evolved, it became clear that these conversations deserved a broader and more dynamic platform. The launch of the Critical Careers podcast extends the initiative’s reach and impact. Sponsored by CBRE Data Centre Solutions and featuring 18 women from 17 companies, the podcast uses long-form conversations to explore career journeys, belonging, leadership and the sense of community women feel within digital infrastructure. It creates space to humanise the industry and challenge misconceptions about who works in it and why. Live podcast recordings and associated events have strengthened community connection and reinforced the initiative’s role as a catalyst for dialogue.

The Results

Beyond strong industry engagement and advocacy, the Critical Careers initiative has generated a powerful emotional response from women both inside and outside of the industry. Women have reported feeling seen and validated, while others have reached out to ask how they can get involved or share their own journeys. Crucially, the initiative is also influencing who enters the industry: young women have joined digital infrastructure roles after discovering the sector through the stories shared via Critical Careers. This impact is reflected in its reach and resonance, with more than 1.4 million LinkedIn impressions achieved in just nine months, hundreds of podcast subscribers and downloads, and hundreds of media articles amplifying these stories far beyond traditional industry audiences. The Critical Careers initiative has also been tangibly supported by the giants of the industry, most notably Microsoft, Google, Meta and Oracle, in fact Google has requested a live Critical Careers event within their London HQ in 2026.

Looking Forward

“Meeting so many incredible women in the industry [through Critical Careers] reminded me again how important it is to keep telling our stories. The data center world is full of opportunity, innovation, and purpose—and I’m excited to keep sharing what makes it so special. Let’s keep the momentum going.” Elvira Van Brugen, Regional Director Site Acquisition, Microsoft

2026 will see Critical Careers expand its reach with 5 strategic partners joining Kao Data to propel the initiative forward. Complementing this, a second edition of Critical Careers and two more podcast seasons are already planned, plus the addition of live events across FLAP-D data centre locations will take Critical Careers on the road and into the industry’s busiest communities to catalyse systemic change. By making the data centre industry more visible, more human and more inclusive, Critical Careers is helping to reshape how the industry is perceived. Through storytelling, collaboration and sustained engagement, Critical Careers is building a foundation for a more welcoming and representative digital infrastructure community, making it a strong candidate for the Outstanding Contribution to Diversity, Equality and Social Responsibility Award.

People-Powered Digital Infrastructure

Green Mountain distinguishes itself in the data center industry through a holistic and deeply embedded approach to social responsibility. Rather than treating diversity, equality, and community engagement as standalone programs, these principles are woven into the company’s strategy, culture, governance, and everyday operations. Green Mountain’s people-first philosophy shapes how the company designs, builds, and operates digital infrastructure, ensuring that social value grows in parallel with business expansion.

At the core of this commitment is a strong focus on working conditions, employee well-being, and inclusion. Green Mountain’s ambition is clear: to embed social responsibility into every part of the organisation. This is reflected in:

• Consistently high employee satisfaction scores, exceeding 5 on a 6-point scale across key indicators such as cooperation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with managers
• Quarterly pulse surveys, introduced in 2024, providing deeper insight and enabling targeted improvements at departmental level
• Diversity and inclusion efforts, achieving 20% female employees in 2023, increasing to 28,3% in 2025
• Low turnover (10 employees in 2025)
• Low sick-leave rate (2,3% average in 2025)
• Continued ISO 45001 certification, demonstrating dedication to a safe, supportive, and healthy workplace

A major differentiator is Green Mountain’s comprehensive approach to competence development through The Green Academy, which includes:

• Structured onboarding
• Mentorship
• Cross-site internships
• Financial support for further education
• Dedicated onboarding gatherings for all new employees, strengthening cultural cohesion and internal networks

The company is expanding its competence matrix to include every employee, ensuring equal access to growth opportunities regardless of background, gender, or role. This contributes to a more diverse talent pipeline and enables employees from all disciplines to advance into technical and leadership positions, ultimately benefiting customers through highly skilled, confident, and collaborative teams.

Green Mountain also places strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion:

• Female representation has increased gradually to 28,3% across all departments
• Age diversity is embraced with a wide distribution across all age groups
• Zero-tolerance policy for bullying and harassment, supported through enhanced communication and an awareness campaign launched in 2025, including a dedicated e-learning course

Beyond its own operations, Green Mountain contributes meaningfully to the communities surrounding its data centers:

• Launched the Green Mountain Community Support Fund in 2024, providing financial support to youth-oriented sports, cultural organizations, and inclusion-based activities across Norway, without any branding requirements
• Distributed NOK 1 million to local initiatives in 2025, with commitment to maintain this annual support in 2026
• Main sponsor of local clubs since 2023:
  • Enebakk: Driv IL
  • Rennesøy: Mastra IL
  • Rjukan: Rjukan IL and Tinn IL
  • Hamar: Storhamar IL

Green Mountain’s belief in social responsibility also drives extensive public education efforts, including:

• School visits
• Industry presentations
• An educational website
• A broad ambassador program
• Frequent engagement with neighbours and stakeholders through neighbourhood meetings and direct dialogue

For customers, these values translate into a uniquely strong service experience:

• Culture of transparency, empathy, and trust
• Flat and inclusive organizational structure enabling close, long-term partnerships
• Service Management Team providing dedicated points of contact and proactive communication
• Engaged workforce proud of the company’s sustainability and social impact efforts
• High customer satisfaction scores reflecting this people-centric model

In an industry that often focuses primarily on environmental metrics, Green Mountain stands apart by elevating social responsibility to the same strategic importance. The company’s integrated approach spans:

• Employee development
• Community engagement
• Diversity
• Ethical governance
• Responsible expansion

This defines Green Mountain as a data center operator committed not only to technological excellence, but to societal progress.

Salute and NorthC 24x7 Onsite Resilience Programme (Munich & Nürnberg)

Background and key industry differentiators:

Founded in 2013, Salute is a global leader in end-to-end data centre lifecycle services, spanning advisory, design, build, commissioning, integration, operation, and refresh across both traditional and AI-enabled facilities. A core pillar is Salute’s proprietary Salute Technology Enabled Program (STEP), an AI-driven operational framework embedded into every stage of delivery. STEP turns complex data centre requirements into clear, standardised, actionable guidance, enabling faster deployment, regulatory compliance, and sustainability optimisation.

Salute also runs a Military Community Programme, training ex-service members to operate both traditional and next-generation AI facilities, including high-density environments using direct-to-chip liquid cooling. These veterans bring discipline, leadership, and mission-critical expertise to client environments.

Finally, through SaluteU (Salute University), Salute standardises and elevates capability across regions, roles, and technologies, ensuring consistency, safety, and readiness as technologies evolve.

Salute and NorthC 24x7 Onsite Resilience Programme (Munich & Nürnberg)

Keysource (acquired by Salute in January 2025), in collaboration with NorthC Datacentres GmbH, has implemented a robust 24x7 onsite support programme across two critical facilities in Munich and Nürnberg. Initiated in July 2025, the project aims to deliver uninterrupted operational performance, enhanced resilience, and risk mitigation through fully embedded onsite technical teams.

In one of Europe’s most competitive talent markets, Salute addressed the high-volume need for junior data centre technicians under tight timelines. Targeted adverts on regional, national, and specialist job platforms, optimised job titles and descriptions, and competency-based shortlisting drove faster recruitment and higher quality candidates. Each site is now staffed with six junior shift technicians and one shared team lead, providing constant coverage on a rotating shift basis.

This integrated solution ensures:

• Monitoring of infrastructure
• Immediate first-line response to issues
• Access control enforcement
• Basic troubleshooting

All new hires completed an intensive two-week hands-on training programme covering fundamentals of data centre operations, safety protocols, compliance, and technical troubleshooting, combining classroom learning with practical exercises inside a live environment. This upfront investment has driven consistency, reduced error rates, and improved on-site response times.

Key differentiating factors:

The programme’s proactive, real-time operational model has already averted major disruptions. For example, when three out of four chillers failed, early action and direct escalation to the on-call engineer prevented service interruption, keeping NorthC’s client operations unaffected. Beyond technical delivery, the programme embeds a robust training regime, covering fire safety, first aid, security, and ergonomic best practices. Salute’s compliance with German safety and labour law ensures both performance and full legal adherence.

This approach ensures community-scale data infrastructure remains online, secure, and sustainable. By embedding a trained, full-time technical team directly into NorthC’s sites, Salute replaces traditional reactive or remote support models, providing constant monitoring, immediate incident response, and seamless coordination with operational teams.

Role of innovation:

The recruitment and training approach is equally innovative. Targeted campaigns, optimised job postings, and streamlined assessments attracted candidates from inside and outside the data centre sector. A two-week hands-on programme equipped new recruits to meet technical, safety, and compliance demands from day one, expanding the talent pool and ensuring consistent performance.

This model allows Salute to act as an operational extension of NorthC, with defined escalation paths, structured training schedules, and adherence to German regulations. Unlike typical market offerings relying on remote or on-call support, Salute’s embedded presence ensures faster incident resolution, reduced downtime, and scalable, repeatable workforce integration.

By combining international best practice with local compliance, the model delivers technical robustness alongside cultural and operational integration. It represents a forward-thinking solution for operational continuity, sustainability, and local workforce development, scalable to other regions.

Empowering Excellence: CBRE’s Unrivalled Commitment to Skills & Training

We are pleased to submit an award entry for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Skills & Training at the DCS Awards. At CBRE, we strive to create an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We invest heavily in skills and training initiatives offering our employees access to double the industry average for training. This commitment results in a highly qualified team with an industry-leading retention rate of 96%. Winning this award would not only validate our efforts but also inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and making a positive impact on the industry.

Background on CBRE Data Center Solutions

CBRE Data Center Solutions is a specialist business group within CBRE that helps customers reduce risk and efficiently manage their data center operations. Through technology, expert people, best in class processes, training and global scale, we lead the market in our ability to deliver optimal performance for our customers’ data centers. Our customers benefit from the experience and best practice we have developed through operating over 700 data centers in 48 countries. We provide a full range of data center lifecycle services, from extensive maintenance and project capabilities to energy optimization and analytic insights. CBRE DCS helps clients protect their brand and unlock maximum value from their data center assets.

CBRE Talent Development Strategy

At CBRE, we understand that the future success of our organisation depends largely on the development of our employees. We have robust programs to support engineers in their career progression, from engineer to manager and from manager to director. Many success stories feature individuals who started in engineering or support roles and advanced to leadership positions. We have partnerships with renowned training providers, offering significant benefits to our employees. Each employee has a structured personal development plan with annual objectives, and regular reviews to track their growth.

What are your company's key distinguishing features and/or USP?

• Extensive Training Investment: CBRE invests heavily in professional development, offering employees double the industry average for training. This results in a highly qualified team and an industry-leading retention rate of 96%.
• DCS Select Program: A proprietary recruiting assessment tool developed in partnership with Gartner CEB, ensuring the right cultural and skill fit for Critical Engineers and Technicians within the data center industry.
• Diversity and Inclusion: CBRE actively seeks to expand its talent pool by recruiting from diverse sources including veterans, maternity returners, and individuals outside the industry, with a focus on improving gender balance.
• Industry-Leading Certifications: CBRE is the first company globally to commit to certify 100% of its technical workforce with certifications like CDCTP® and CDCMP®, which enhance the competence and confidence of their technicians and managers.
• Human Factors Training: In collaboration with Dr. Tim Marsh, CBRE has developed a comprehensive program to reduce human error in data center operations, resulting in significantly lower unplanned downtime due to human error compared to the industry average.
• Talent Coach Platform: A unified talent management system that supports learning, development, and career growth, integrating multiple processes into a single tool for scalability and ease of use.
• Apprenticeships and Community Engagement: CBRE hires over 60 apprentices annually and partners with educational institutions to provide specialized training, addressing the skills shortage in the data center sector.
• Professional Development and Career Progression: CBRE offers structured personal development plans, regular reviews, and ample opportunities for career advancement, emphasizing internal talent mobility and rewarding achievements.
• Employee Well-Being: CBRE prioritizes employee well-being through programs like Be Well and offers extensive resources, training, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance program to support personal and professional health.
• Recognition and Reward: CBRE fosters a positive workplace culture with site-specific rewards and recognition strategies, ensuring employees feel valued and motivated.

These differentiators collectively contribute to CBRE's reputation as an industry leader in talent development, making it a strong contender for the 'Best Talent Developer' award.

What tangible impact has your company had on the market and your customers?

• Training and Development:
  • Trained over 3,000 employees through Human Factors programs.
  • Developed over 250 leaders through Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) programs.
  • Transitioned 250 technicians from outside industries into data centre professions.
• Client Satisfaction and Retention:
  • 98% customer retention rate, showcasing our commitment to client satisfaction.
  • 20% YOY business growth, indicating strong market impact and customer trust.
• Employee Well-Being and Growth:
  • Created a positive workplace culture, ensuring employees feel valued and appreciated.
  • Implemented the Be Well initiative to support employee well-being on a global scale.
  • Recognition and reward programs to boost employee morale and retention.
• Growth and Financial Stability:
  • Achieved a turnover exceeding $1 billion, reflecting robust financial growth and stability.
  • Expanded our portfolio by securing both global and local contracts.
• DCS Shield Program:
  • Over 700MW of new data centre real estate transitioned, helping meet global growth demands.
  • Achieved and maintained a global uptime rate of 99.99968%, demonstrating high reliability and performance.
  • Reduced downtime and human error incidents, ensuring optimal operational performance for our clients.
• Innovation and Technology:
  • Implementation of the DCS Shield tool suite adopted by over 150 clients globally, enabling speed to market and global consistency.
  • Development of Smart FM solutions, which leverage people, processes, and integrated technology to improve FM delivery, reduce energy consumption, and meet client goals.
  • Investments in R&D leading to advancements in Smart FM, Risk Management, and predictive strategies through machine learning and AI.
• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency:
  • Focused on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions through Smart FM solutions.
  • Developed Quantum Glass technology for enhanced data visibility, streamlined operations, and improved risk management.

What levels of customer service differentiate you from your competitors.

• Annual Performance Reviews: We conduct formal performance reviews with our clients and senior management, using a Balanced Scorecard process to document trends, improvements, and opportunities for enhancement.
• Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey: We engage Kingsley, a third-party firm, to assess client satisfaction annually. This helps us develop immediate action plans for areas needing attention.
• Monthly Net Promoter Scores: We ask clients to complete monthly NPS questionnaires, which are tracked, reviewed, and reported to client leadership. This process is aimed at improving service delivery continually.
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Through initiatives like the Innovation Charter and DCS Shield, we drive continuous improvement and innovation in our service delivery. These programs help us maintain high performance and reliability standards.
• Proactive Monitoring and Management: Our DCS Shield program provides proactive monitoring and management of critical facility infrastructure, improving uptime and optimizing operational performance.
• Employee Training and Development: We invest heavily in training and development, ensuring our employees are highly skilled and motivated. This includes programs like Human Factors training, ILM programs, and targeted recruitment through DCS Select.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We prioritize a diverse and inclusive work environment, reflecting the diversity of our clients and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
• Employee Well-Being and Recognition: We focus on employee well-being through programs like Be Well and recognize outstanding performance through various reward and recognition strategies.
• Comprehensive Service Offering: We offer a full range of data center lifecycle services, from extensive maintenance and project capabilities to energy optimization and analytic insights.
• Client Partnership and Collaboration: We work closely with clients, forming joint charters and aligning with their goals to achieve global consistency and success.

Sudlows

SDEA Label

SDEA Label represents a fundamental shift in how datacenter sustainability is verified and recognized. In an industry saturated with self-reported metrics and unverified claims, SDEA Label delivers what sustainability pledges cannot: independently audited proof of operational performance based on 12 months of measured data. With the integration of water efficiency measurement in 2026, SDEA Label has become the world's only datacenter certification that quantifies all four critical dimensions of sustainability – datacenter infrastructure efficiency, IT infrastructure efficiency, carbon footprint, and water consumption – in a single, comprehensive framework. Unlike certifications that rely on design projections or accept self-reported data, every SDEA Label requires independent third-party audit verification, making it the industry's most rigorous sustainability certification.

What Makes SDEA Label Unique

SDEA Label measures complete operational sustainability through four integrated Key Performance Indicators:

1. DC Infrastructure Efficiency (PUE⁺): Facility energy flow including waste heat recovery and on-site renewable generation
2. IT Infrastructure Efficiency (ITIE): Utilization of servers, storage, and network components, including virtualization and technology quality
3. Carbon Footprint (CUE⁺): Operational emissions accounting for lifecycle impact of all energy sources
4. Water Usage (WUE⁺): Water consumption including recycling capabilities and regional stress factors (operational Q1 2026)

This comprehensive approach sets SDEA Label apart from traditional certifications that measure isolated metrics. By evaluating both infrastructure and IT efficiency alongside environmental impact, SDEA Label provides stakeholders with complete visibility into datacenter sustainability performance – not fragmented snapshots. The certification's modular structure allows organizations to pursue three pathways: DC Infrastructure certification for facility operators, IT Infrastructure certification for compute providers, or Full-Stack certification combining both dimensions. This flexibility serves enterprises, colocation providers, and hyperscalers across diverse operational models while maintaining consistent rigor.

Tangible Market Impact

Following SDEA's establishment as a professional organization in 2023, SDEA Label has awarded 10 certifications across five pioneering organizations in Switzerland and the European Union. These certified datacenters achieve an average PUE⁺ of 1.28 (range: 1.12-1.46), significantly outperforming the 2025 global average of 1.54. This performance demonstrates that SDEA Label recognizes genuinely optimized infrastructure where energy is directed to productive IT workloads rather than overhead consumption. Notable achievements include Digital Realty's milestone certification in 2024-2025. After achieving the world's first GOLD Plus certification in 2024, Digital Realty upgraded to become the first organization with a fully GOLD-certified datacenter campus, with all facilities individually certified – an unprecedented level of verified sustainability leadership. Hewlett Packard Enterprise demonstrated measurable improvement through SDEA Label, with PUE⁺ improving from 1.35 (2021 certification) to 1.30 (2024 recertification), proving that the framework drives continuous optimization.

Customer Service Differentiation

SDEA Label delivers what the datacenter industry has needed: one unified platform measuring all critical sustainability metrics, eliminating the complexity of navigating dozens of fragmented standards that each address isolated aspects of datacenter performance. The entire certification process operates online through the SDEA Navigator. Organizations enter their operational data into integrated calculators, receive automatic sustainability indices, and when ready, initiate certification directly through the platform. No complicated back-and-forth coordination across multiple vendors, consultants, or certification bodies. One platform, one process, complete visibility.

SDEA Label's methodology prioritizes operational reality over theoretical complexity. Metrics are based on real-world data that operators already collect – power consumption, server utilization, energy sources, water usage – rather than requiring specialized equipment or prohibitively complex measurement infrastructure. The framework balances technical rigor with practical measurability, ensuring organizations can implement certification without redesigning their monitoring systems. This pragmatic approach reflects SDEA's founding principle: simplicity, measurability, verifiability.

Versatility of Verified Metrics

What distinguishes SDEA Label most significantly is the versatility of its verified metrics. Once certified, organizations use their independently audited performance data across multiple frameworks and reporting requirements:

• Internal ESG & Sustainability Reporting: Board-level metrics backed by independent verification
• Operational Optimization & Benchmarking: baseline measurements for tracking continuous improvement
• EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres: Direct compliance with energy efficiency requirements
• EU Taxonomy Alignment: Technical screening criteria for sustainable activities
• LEED v5 Carbon Assessment: Operational carbon performance documentation
• EcoVadis Environmental Score: Third-party verified efficiency data supporting assessment
• Stakeholder Communication: Credible metrics for investors, clients, regulators

One certification process. One set of verified metrics. Multiple applications across regulatory, operational, and commercial contexts. This approach fundamentally differs from fragmented certification landscapes where organizations pursue separate certifications for energy efficiency, carbon emissions, water consumption, and IT performance – each requiring distinct audits, separate fees, and incompatible reporting formats. SDEA Label integrates what others fragment, delivering comprehensive verification through a single, customer-oriented process.

Major Differentiators

SDEA Label distinguishes itself through verification methodology rather than marketing positioning:

• Operational vs. Design-based: SDEA Label requires 12 months of measured performance data. Design-based certifications assess projected efficiency, which often diverges significantly from actual operations. SDEA Label proves what facilities deliver, not what blueprints promise.
• Independent vs. Self-Reported: Every SDEA Label undergoes mandatory third-party audit by approved auditors who verify all submitted data. Self-reported programs accept operator declarations without independent verification, creating opportunities for inflated claims.
• Comprehensive vs. Isolated Metrics: Traditional certifications measure individual KPIs – typically facility PUE alone. SDEA Label integrates datacenter infrastructure, IT infrastructure, carbon emissions, and water consumption, revealing inefficiencies that single-metric assessments miss. The addition of water efficiency in 2026 makes SDEA Label uniquely comprehensive.
• Rigorous vs. Participation-based: SDEA Label's exclusivity – 10 certifications globally – reflects genuinely demanding standards and thresholds. Certifications that are widely distributed often indicate participation thresholds rather than excellence benchmarks. The framework's rigor creates natural scarcity. Most datacenters cannot earn SDEA Label without significant optimization, making certification a credible differentiator rather than a participation award.

Supporting Evidence

Customer testimonials demonstrate SDEA Label's value:

• Yves Zischek, Managing Partner, Digital Realty: This prestigious certification highlights our leadership in sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Rene Zierler, Managing Director, HPE: Talking is good, but acting is even better. Let's continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what's possible.
• David Celis, CEO, Portus Data Centers: SDEA Label empowers us to measure, optimize and lead the way in environmental sustainability.

Case Study: Digital Realty's GOLD Campus Certification

Digital Realty's certification journey exemplifies SDEA Label's impact. After achieving GOLD Plus certification in 2024, the organization pursued campus-wide certification – a complex undertaking requiring independent verification across multiple facilities. In 2025, Digital Realty achieved the world's first fully GOLD-certified datacenter campus, with each facility individually certified rather than relying on averaged performance. This milestone demonstrates both Digital Realty's operational excellence and SDEA Label's ability to verify performance at scale.

Why SDEA Label Represents Outstanding Contribution

SDEA Label advances datacenter sustainability by making verification without compromise achievable. In an industry where greenwashing undermines stakeholder confidence, SDEA Label provides what sustainability commitments cannot: independently audited proof that withstands scrutiny from investors, regulators, and clients. The certification responds to regulatory evolution. The EU Energy Efficiency Directive requires efficiency reporting, Germany's EnEfG sets binding PUE values, and jurisdictions including Ireland and Singapore have halted new datacenter approvals pending sustainability evidence. SDEA Label positions certified organizations ahead of compliance requirements through measurement infrastructure already in place. By integrating water efficiency measurement in 2026, SDEA Label addresses the complete environmental footprint of datacenter operations. Water consumption has emerged as a critical sustainability concern alongside energy use and emissions, particularly in water-stressed regions. SDEA Label's WUE⁺ framework accounts for consumption, recycling capabilities, and regional water stress, providing the industry's most comprehensive sustainability assessment. SDEA Label proves that verified sustainability is not aspirational – it is operational, measurable, and achievable for organizations willing to demonstrate excellence through transparent data rather than marketing claims.