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Schneider Electric debuts data center consulting service
Coolant hoses and infrastructure are critical to the operation of data servers. · Facilities Dive · alacatr via Getty Images

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Dive Brief:

  • Schneider Electric is rolling out a consulting service for data center operators looking to boost efficiency and maximize uptime, the company said Tuesday.

  • Schneider says its EcoConsult for Data Centers draws on a global network of more than 250 consultants and more than 6,500 service representatives to assess customers’ data center infrastructure, including power and cooling systems, and develop asset modernization plans that increase reliability while reducing costs.

  • “In today's fast-paced digital environment, maintaining peak uptime while minimizing costs and extending the life of critical infrastructure is paramount,” Schneider Electric Senior Vice President for Services Jerome Soltani said in a statement.

Dive Insight:

About 36% of U.S. data centers are older than 10 years and lack a “facility-wide proactive asset management strategy,” Schneider said.

Schneider intends for EcoConsult for Data Centers to support those aging facilities with a medium- to long-term roadmap for increased uptime; longer IT and server infrastructure lifespans; achievable sustainability initiatives; and lower total cost of ownership, the company said. EcoConsult is future-ready, addressing both current demands and those created by future growth and technology adoption, it added. 

“Bringing this new level of expertise and innovation to market represents a significant step forward in our commitment to data center managers,” Soltani said.

To assess client data centers’ performance and risk, Schneider consultants conduct comprehensive site visits, checking the physical condition and operational status of power distribution systems, cooling infrastructure, cybersecurity posture and IT and server assets. 

Then, they develop digital maps of power and cooling systems to uncover critical issues and analyze power usage effectiveness and cooling system efficiency,identifying potential energy savings, according to a Schneider video overview

The initial consultation concludes with a “detailed, site-specific report with insights and guidance for modernizing and maintaining your data center,” with asset models and specific recommendations ranked by criticality, Schneider says. Those recommendations may include options for right-sizing equipment, managing spare parts inventories, software and firmware upgrades, environmental sensor and energy metering deployments.