Operations | Monitoring | ITSM | DevOps | Cloud

We’re thrilled to share Version 4.4 release with new feature updates: Business Entities for tracking customers, partners, and departments, improved control for transfer switch power devices, streamlined bulk actions for Business Entity association with assets, enhanced import capabilities for connections and circuits, and advanced search function to filter by Business Entity for easier, more efficient work.

Key disciplines include power, cooling, facilities, networks, data storage, and sustainability. Leveraging Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software can significantly aid in this process by offering comprehensive visibility and control over resources.

AI-driven processes, including machine learning models and data processing, require significant computational resources which can lead to increased energy consumption and heightened operational costs. The complexity of these workloads, which often involve real-time data analysis and continuous model training, exacerbates the need for robust data center management.

The recent McKinsey report, the state of cloud computing in Europe has exposed not only low returns, but also serious challenges for businesses embracing cloud as the basis of digital transformation. The first concern is that not only is the value of cloud ‘in isolated pockets and at subscale ’, but also that it is limited to the IT department. Whilst 75 percent of those surveyed reported either technology cost savings or productivity increases, only one-third have seen such savings beyond IT.

Investing in Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software is critical for modern businesses to efficiently manage their data center resources. Without DCIM software, organizations lack comprehensive visibility into their data center infrastructure, making it challenging to identify and address issues promptly, leading to potential service disruptions.

We’re proud to announce the general availability of Power IQ® 9.1, the latest version of Sunbird’s DCIM Monitoring software. This release includes exciting new features including load shift detection, enhanced Raritan and Server Technology bulk firmware update, and residual current monitoring (RCM) Type B.

In recent years, sustainability has become a top priority for industries worldwide, and the data centre sector is no exception. As governments strive to reduce carbon footprints and mitigate climate change, regulatory directives such as the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are playing a crucial role in reshaping how data centres operate and manage their environmental impact.

The Uptime Institute’s 2022 Global Data Center Survey highlights a growing challenge for operators: attracting and retaining qualified staff. With 53% struggling to find skilled employees and 42% losing staff to competitors—a sharp rise from 17% in 2018—there’s a clear need for solutions. DCIM software emerges as a key response, offering a holistic view of data center operations. This includes monitoring power usage, cooling systems, server space, and network operations.

Data centers are the backbone of our increasingly interconnected world. They power everything from streaming services to AI, handling vast amounts of data every second. However, this technological advancement comes at a cost, with energy consumption being a significant concern. In fact, data center energy consumption is forecasted to double by 2026. As we venture further into 2024, it is important to review some of the key trends around energy consumption in data centers.