Resource efficiency and effectiveness

ISO standards for resource efficient data centres are eagerly awaited in many quarters, there seems to be much pressure and urgency but it is important to ensure the process isn’t rushed. As I write, I’m preparing for a week long workshop in Dublin where international delegations will meet to make further progress. I will provide a full report for DCA members please watch www.data-central.org for this update.

One area of the data centre not yet to receive much attention from standards bodies yet, is data centre anti-contamination. As data centres change in design to improve resource effectiveness, this is an area that organisations should review.

The data centre regularly reminds us that every action has a reaction, so we cannot expect to make big energy savings without any consequences at all, can we? Hopefully, the DCA collaboration on devising a guide paper will help – this is a free to download guide available from www.data-central.org

No doubt the subject of resource efficiency will be discussed further at this year’s University of Leeds/DCS Data Centre Transformation Conference. This year’s agenda and venue looks to be the best yet and will feature talks across the full spectrum of the data centre industry including DCA updates, government speakers, academic research and educational sessions.

At the time of writing the programme is being finalised from a very competitive call for papers. On behalf of the Conference Committee and the University of Leeds I would like to thank all those who submitted papers, it’s a shame we could only select the relatively small number the programme allows and I hope those that did not make the final agenda will not be too disappointed and I would encourage them to try again next year, and of course look forward to see them at the event on July 9th.

aql welcomes students from the University of Leeds

ACADEMICS, RESEARCHERS AND STUDENTS from the University of Leeds School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Computing visited aql at their Salem Church offices on 9 May 2013 for a presentation on datacentre design and thermodynamics by Dr Adam Beaumont.
Adam, aql’s founder and CEO who was formerly a lecturer in thermodynamics at the University of Leeds, rolled back the years to give a lecture on all things aql, pointing out the challenges of running an efficient datacentre and the fact that yesterday’s Leeds University students are today’s datacentre operators.
The presentation was given in aql’s conference auditorium, the view through the glass floor of which gave many of the visitors their first glimpse of a working datacentre. The party from the University of Leeds were also treated to a tour of aql’s datacentre facilities and given insight into the various environmental and security measures employed to safeguard sensitive data and equipment.
“These students are the datacentre technicians of the future,” said Dr Beaumont. “It’s vital that they get the opportunity to see a datacentre firsthand in order to really appreciate how they help facilitate everyday life. It’s also important that everyone in the digital sector works together to foster a wider understanding of what datacentres do. As our appetite for data continues to grow so will the digital sector, so we need to share knowledge now so we can lay a solid foundation for the future.
“That’s why we built our conference auditorium: for the good of the Internet. And that’s why we’re building this partnership with the University of Leeds.”
Many of the visitors were surprised to discover such a facility on their doorstep. Eric Atwell, Associate Professor within the university’s School of Computing said: “It was really interesting for me and my colleagues … to see a real working example of a successful datacentre, just ten minutes away from our university campus.
“We were interested in seeing and hearing about the computer and cooling systems. I was also impressed by the way aql has turned the upper gallery of the old chapel space into a plush conference auditorium for large-scale visits and presentations. Maybe aql should consider becoming a tourist attraction to show off the Leeds datacentre like Cadbury’s World shows off the chocolate factory in Birmingham!”

Paul Townend, a research team leader with the university’s School of Computing commented: “The opportunity to visit aql’s facilities and talk with key members of their staff has been incredibly useful to the School of Computing.

“Our academic staff have learned a great deal about the research challenges faced by the industry and our students have been inspired by the many career opportunities the industry provides. We feel this trip will serve as a catalyst for close future collaboration between aql and the School of Computing in the development of internationally-leading software technology”
Dr Jon Summers of the university’s School of Mechanical Engineering helped to organise the event as part of a drive to raise awareness of the importance of datacentres.
“The University of Leeds is engaging researchers and undergraduate students in both the Schools of Computing and Mechanical Engineering to become more aware of what datacentres are about and their modern requirement of being a fully integrated system,” said Dr Summers.
“Being able to visit a real operating datacentre, and one that has become so important to the city of Leeds as a digital hub, is extremely important for our academics and students and this is only made possible through aql’s collaboration with the university.”

John Sargood

John Sargood, Vtesse Networks reviews the recent DCA Networking Event held on the 9th May.

“As a Channel Account Manager for Vtesse Networks I have attended two of the DCA Networking events including the most recent one held on the 9th of May.
I have found both to be very rewarding and worthwhile. They are a great opportunity to network with many leading professionals from the Data Centre industry. The informal design of the event allows for more personable and relaxed conversations with customers, prospects and partners. Although it’s a great opportunity to further strengthen existing relationships I also find that the many different topics of conversation around market activity, current trends and challenges are invaluable
I have no hesitation in recommending the DCA to colleagues, associates and industry contacts, as an organisation that delivers real benefits and also suggest that members who haven’t done so before attend one of the networking evenings.
Keep up the excellent work DCA, I am already looking forward to the next event that you run”

The main event for senior UK
ICT channel decision makers

ANGEL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS and IT Europa are once again teaming up to bring to the UK IT reseller channel an opportunity to learn how to enhance and deliver the highly profitable managed services that will differentiate suppliers over the coming months and years. The summit takes place on 26th September 2013 at The Lancaster Hotel in central London.

The Managed Services & Hosting Summit is the primary channel event addressing the implications that the confluence of the Cloud, Mobility, new intelligent devices, social networking and consumerisation is having on the implementation and delivery of business solutions. These disruptive technological changes are having a profound effect on channel business models and causing a complete rethink on the role of IT in the future.

Following on from the highly successful 2011 Managed Services Summit, the Managed Services & Hosting Summit takes a deeper look at the experiences of the channel and their suppliers as they evolve new business models and relationships to address the
issues, challenges and opportunities of the ‘post-product’ era. Sponsors include: Autotask, AVG, Dot Hill, EVault, Gigamon, Interxion and Tarmin.

The Summit will comprise of keynote and session presentations by major industry speakers, boardroom style presentations by sponsors and most importantly lots of networking time for delegates to meet with potential business partners. The event is a must attend event for any senior decision maker in the ICT channel. The unique mix of
high level presentations on such an important topic plus the ability
to meet, discuss and debate the related business issues with sponsors and peers across the industry cannot be matched by any other event.

Some of the key issues that will be addressed at the summit are:

The Age of New Business Models
This opening keynote will explore the major changes in business models being adopted by organisations in a global world dominated by instant communications and social networking.

The Business of Technology
This session will address how Information Technology has moved from a purely supporting role to an organisations operations, processes and procedures to enabling them to completely reshape their operations and go-to-market strategies. Our speaker will give their views on the effect this is having on all businesses and how they are embracing the ‘business of technology’.

Secrets of Success
Managed services and hosting have gone through a radical change over the last 12 months with some spectacular channel successes and unfortunately some high profile failures. The remaining morning sessions of the Summit will try to identify the secrets to being a successful managed services and hosting provider including ‘The Role of Managed Services and Hosting Provider’; ‘ Positioning, Pricing and Projection’ ; and ‘Partnering for Success.’

Other agenda topics will include:
£ Managed Services & Hosting in the Enterprise
£ Aligning services to business objectives
£ Helping create an agile organisation
£ Delivering Enterprise Class solutions

With many registrations already secured places are filing up fast
so request your place today at www.mshsummit.com