EXPERT OPINION
Modernising the data centre
Organisations
across the region are
embarking on data
centre modernisation
projects in a bid to
keep pace with the
evolving technological
landscape. Mark
O’Keefe, Director
of Architecture at
CyrusOne, talks us
through some of the
trends shaping this
modernisation and
offers best practice
advice to those
progressing their
own efforts.
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Issue 04
What is driving the need to
modernise data centres?
The ever-changing technological landscape,
from AI to Machine Learning, demands a
change in the structure and nature of data
centres and how they operate.
Energy efficiency is a major driving
factor for data centres choosing to
modernise, with up-to-date equipment
offering the same or better service with
less energy consumed.
As large energy users in the UK, the data
centre industry is in a strong position to
positively affect the energy output of
its operations and associated PUE. This
aligns with the increased consciousness,
both politically and socially, of energy
consumption and output across the board.
Increasing operating temperature for
servers and increased power density
requirements reduce the amount of
energy required to cool equipment thus
making it more energy and cost efficient.
The recent slew of high-profile data
outages and hacks involving companies
such as British Airways is also bringing the
importance of modern, secure and up-to-
date data centre practices to the forefront of
everyone’s mind, beyond the industry itself.
What are the benefits of data
centre modernisation?
A modern data centre is attractive to
current and potential customers who
have an ever-increasing appetite and
requirement for capacity.
Modernising data centre infrastructure
shows a commitment to innovation and
embracing change as the industry and
wider society evolves. There are also
significant cost and efficiency savings
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