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.

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.

It’s April 22 and everybody knows today is Earth Day. But do you know how much energy your IT infrastructure is consuming and what that translates to in cost and carbon footprint? As we place more demands on our IT infrastructure to store and manage the reams of data we’re collecting and run advanced analytics and artificial intelligence on that data, we are inevitably consuming more energy in our data centers.

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, the demand for skilled professionals in the data centre industry has never been higher. And it's not just in our sector, sourcing technical talent and strategies to attract and retain them continues to be an issue in most sectors as a recent Deloitte article highlighted.

Data centers are the backbone of modern business operations, providing the necessary infrastructure for data storage, management, and processing. These facilities play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of IT and communication systems, facilitating cloud computing, e-commerce, data analysis, and much more. Their importance has grown exponentially with the digital transformation of businesses, highlighting the need for reliable, efficient, and scalable data management solutions.

It’s getting more expensive to rent space in colocation data centers. According to CBRE, colocation rates are up 18.6% year-over-year to a record $163.44 per kW/month due to limited supply and strong demand. Average Asking Rental Rate with Y-o-Y % Change for Primary Markets *Rental rates are quoted asking rates for 250-500 kW at N+1/Tier III requirements. Image Source: CBRE Research, CBRE Data Center Solutions, H2 2023.

Manchester has come a long way - from pioneering the world’s first stored program digital computer, to becoming the top tech city in the UK outside of London. The MCC 2021-2026 Digital Strategy now guides a £5bn digital economy, with more than 10,000 businesses employing over 96,000 people. It has seen the development of five unicorns and is still home to three, billion-pound businesses. So, the city of bees is buzzing.