Intelligent Data Centres Issue 62 | Page 25

I N D U S T R Y I N T E L L I G E N C E
IT footprint , simulate layout for cooling optimisation and obtain energy efficiency down to a subsystem level . DCIM allows customers to obtain accurate real-time power consumption with monitoring and management solutions and monitors environmental conditions to optimise and maintain performance of power and cooling infrastructure .
How does Schneider Electric ' s software contribute to the integration and efficient management of sustainable DCIM ensuring security and sustainability objectives ?
First , there are two aspects to security . The cybersecurity of the solution itself and then physical security of the environment around the IT equipment . From a cybersecurity standpoint , we have invested heavily in this area to ensure we are meeting the best standards available . For example , we have recently introduced the Secure Network Management Card System , which includes the independent cybersecurity certification for the NMC3 version 3.0 firmware ( IEC 62443-4-2 ). We are also working on ISO 27001 certification for EcoStruxure IT Expert before the end of 2024 . We have also significantly increased our R & D resources dedicated to ensuring we are maintaining our code with regular and frequent updates .
From a physical and environment standpoint , we have capabilities for customers to monitor environmental threats – leak detection and ambient temperature and humidity . And we can also provide remote cameras that capture video when an event is detected , saving those clips for later forensics . Many customers also use the DCIM solution to lock down their racks with permission-based entry and tracking . Robust tracking capabilities provide an audit trail of all this activity . Many of these capabilities have been used in some of the best-run data centres – with the increased focus on security , we think these best practices should be applied across the entire infrastructure .
From a sustainability view , EcoStruxure IT plays an increasing role in addressing sustainability by providing better visibility and ability to track PUE , energy and carbon .
Measure energy efficiency down to subsystem level and deliver standard and customised reports and dashboards to report findings . We have developed data models that allow us to greatly simplify much of this work and , with our vast data lake , we ’ ve been able to test and validate the accuracy of these models .
How do you see sustainable DCIM shaping the future of environmentally conscious data centre design and operations ?
A recent study by CapGemini found 43 % of executives were not aware of their organisation ’ s IT footprint . This is leading
CIOs to monitor and measure the impact of their IT infrastructure . It starts with knowing what IT assets they have under management and understanding where the assets are located . Then they need to determine metric data sources and deploy metering software . DCIM can aggregate the data collect and report on total energy consumption but sustainable DCIM has the power to go beyond energy consumption .
At Schneider Electric , our own CIO organisation has a Green IT program to understand , measure and reduce the impact of their IT footprint . Our DCIM team has been closely working with the team to learn from their challenges . One of the big challenges they are facing is increasing sustainability reporting and regulatory requirements of their IT infrastructure .
We are improving our portfolio for customers to use existing tools and solutions to navigate the new reporting requirements . The new features are intended to help meet regulatory compliance , with click-of-a-button reporting . We are improving visibility on distributed environments , through site , room , and rack view of equipment . By bringing digital twin capabilities to the ‘ Edge ’ and simplifying implementation to larger sites , we are helping to accelerate the benefits to endusers . In short , we want to bring best-inclass capabilities to the masses .
All of these enhancements will help our customers have a more resilient , secure and sustainable infrastructure . �
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