As a large energy user, the data center industry has a key role to play in the global response to climate change. Pankaj Sharma of Schneider Electric is on the front lines of this effort, working with data center operators and suppliers on a holistic approach to making digital infrastructure more sustainable.  Sharma joins DCF Editor Rich Miller for a wide-ranging discussion about the growing sense of urgency for climate action, the Schneider sustainability framework for data centers, and how the metaverse may impact how we power and cool our critical infrastructure.  Here’s a timeline of topics Pankaj and Rich discuss on the podcast: 1:00 – Pankaj's role at Schneider Electric and his Data Center Journey.  3:20 – Why sustainability is so important for data centers and IT applications 5:30 – How the Schneider Electric Sustainability Framework can help data center operators respond.   10:00 – How the industry experience with PUE provides insights on sustainability responses. 12:45 – The growing sense of urgency for climate action, in the data center industry and beyond. 14:15 – Pankaj offers his take on the recent Schneider Electric Innovation Summit and key takeaways.  20:15 – The Metaverse and what it means for data centers and mission-critical infrastructure. 23:15 - The future of cooling, and how metaverse compute tech may impact cooling. 25:10 - The data center supply chain is "a huge challenge" but is getting better. Here are some links with more about the topics we discuss: Schneider Sustainability Framework Offers Roadmap for Climate Response: The framework helps data center users  identify, measure and manage their carbon impact, and is intended to spark an acceleration of the climate response from the industry. Data Center Metrics Every Data Center Operator Should Measure:  Without standardized sustainability metrics, it’s difficult to ensure internal alignment between design, procurement, operations, and sustainability teams. Schneider Electric proposes five categories of data center sustainability metrics that can be used to report on environmental sustainability. Schneider Electric Innovation Summit: The Future Requites Smaller Faster, Smarter, Cleaner:   “There is massive pressure from investors, regarding ESG (the environmental, social and governance aims of companies)," company CEO Jean-Pascale Tricoire said. "If you want to attract good people, you need to have a plan for sustainability.” (From our sister pub Energy Tech)  Did you like this episode? Be sure to subscribe to the Data Center Frontier show so you get future episodes on your app. 

On this week's Data Center Frontier Show, we talk site selection with Ernest Popescu, the Vice President for Global Site Development for Iron Mountain Data Centers. All around the globe, data center operators are facing challenges in finding enough land, power and water to support the rapid growth of cloud computing. As campuses become MegaCampuses, finding suitable real estate is becoming difficult. That's why site selection has become one of the most important skillsets in the data center business. Popescu has lengthy experience in hyperscale site development and capacity planning for Amazon Web Services and Facebook, but saw a unique opportunity in the growth of Iron Mountain Data Centers, which has been winning both enterprise and cloud deals. Popescu is also intrigued by the potential for tapping Iron Mountain's global real estate footprint of more than 1,400 document storage locations to support edge computing. Here's a timeline of topics DCF Editor Rich Miller and Ernest discuss on the podcast: 1:00 - Ernest's Data Center Journey. 2:45 - Why data center capacity planning is difficult. "The past isn't necessarily a good indicator of the future," says Ernest. 5:30 - After working so much with hyperscalers, why Iron Mountain? 10:00 - Why site selection is such a hot topic in 2022. 12:45 - How about faster networks? Do they change any of the methodology around site selection. 16:00 - Edge computing, and why this is an opportunity for Iron Mountain. 23:00 - What Ernest likes best about this job.

EdgeConneX has built one of unique growth stories in digital infrastructure. An early leader in edge computing, EdgeConneX later began building huge data centers for hyperscale operators. It's a result of following the customers, says Phillip Marangella, the Chief Marketing Officer of EdgeConneX. On today's show, Marangella speaks with host Rich Miller about how edge computing has evolved and where it is headed, how EdgeConneX is seeking to build a diverse workforce, and how the company's 2020 acquisition by EQT Infrastructure has accelerated growth. Here's a timeline of topics Philllip and I discuss on the podcast: 1:00 - The EdgeConneX story: What it does and who it helps. 7:00 - The demand tidal wave: "We're all building as fast as we can." 9:15 - Understanding the Edge: "It's the user experience ... It's not rocket science." 13:00 - Building the worfroce of the future, and why diversity matters at EdgeConneX. 18:00 - Capital matters: How EQT's backing has turbo-charged growth. 21:30 - Digital infrastructure is a global story. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Data Center Frontier show.

Sabey Data Centers has deployed more than 4 million square feet of mission-critical space across the United States, including a new data center in Austin, Texas. Sabey Chief Revenue Officer Tim Mirick joins us to talk about Sabey's history in data center development, and its big 2022 expansions in Austin and Central Washington. Tim shares insights into how Sabey thinks about expansion and growth markets, the rising profile of digital infrastrucutre, and the new technologies driving data center growth. Here's a timeline of topics Rich and Tim  discuss on the podcast: 1:00 - Sabey's history as a pioneer in data center development. 2:15 - Sabey's entry into the Austin, Texas market. 4:30 - Why Sabey likes Central Washington for data center development. 11:00 - The rising profile of data centers and digital infrastructure. 15:30 - How Sabey evaluates growth opportunities. 21:00 - Data center design innovations bring introduced at the Austin campus. Be sure to subscribe to the Data Center Frontier Show for more great data center content!

In our Earth Day edition, DCF Editor Rich Miller  talks with Sean Farney about the data center industry's progress on confronting climate change, and how sustainability has become a "board-level imperative" for all companies.  Sean has been involved in some of the most innovative projects in digital infrastructure, including one of the first web-scale data centers deploying servers in containers, and an edge computing startup focused on converting retail stores into data centers. In a wide-ranging conversation, Sean and Rich discuss the future of backup power and the essential role of generators, the potential role of microgrids, the growing challenges procuring power in major global markets, and whether vacant retail and office space will become part of the edge computing, landscape. Here's a timeline of topics Sean and I discuss on the podcast: 7:00 - Sustainability as a "board-level imperative." 12:00 - Evolutionary steps and optimizing existing infrastructure. 17:45 - How microgrids can enable better sustainability and reliability. 21:30 - Site selection gets harder. Is "bring your own power" the future for hyperscale data centers? 25:30 - What edge infrastructure looks like, and how it may evolve. 30:00 - Can retail stores and office space be converted into digital infrastructure? Editor's Note: After we recorded this podcast, Sean began a new position with JLL.

For Kirk Offel, the bottom line of his business is simple. "We're changing lives and saving people by finding them a sense of purpose," says Offel, the CEO of Overwatch Mission Critical, which provides military veterans with expertise in mission-critical operations and management. Overwatch helps data center owners and operates manage their facilities, but its biggest impact is in the lives of the military veterans it trains, employs, and places into data center careers. In this podcast, Offel discusses his career in the military and the data center business, why he created Overwatch, and the importance of its mission in providing purpose to veterans. Kirk also shares about the qualities that military veterans can bring to the mission critical industry, including their integrity, tenacity, and their selfless attitude. It's an interesting and important conversation. Here's a timeline of topics Kirk and DCF Show host Rich Miller  discuss on the podcast: 2:00 - Kirk's career journey through the military and the data center industry. 5:45 - An introduction to Overwatch Mission Critical and its mission serving veterans. 22:00 - Kirk discusses Overwatch's business model and service portfolio, and how it has evolved. 32:15 - The challenges and opportunities in launching a startup at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 38:00 - The Road Ahead: The keys to filling the talent gap in the data center industry Here are some links with more about Overwatch and its mission:  Data Center Firm Provides Veterans With Tech Skills, Sense of Purpose https://datacenterfrontier.com/data-center-firm-helps-give-military-veterans-a-purpose/ Overwatch Mission Critical https://weareoverwatch.com/ Be sure to subscribe to the Data Center Frontier Show for more great data center content!  

The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is making  headlines around the world. It's not yet clear how serious Omicron may become, but it is a worrisome development in a pandemic that has extracted a high toll. What might Omicron mean to the data center sector and cloud computing? That's our topic today on the Data Center Frontier show, where we look at three areas of potential business impact: travel restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and the progress of the enterprise recovery in IT spending. Important Note: Our podcast focuses on the data center business and cloud infrastructure, so if you're seeking general healthcare information, please consult your medical professional or sources that specialize in healthcare. Here's a timeline of topics discussed on the podcast: 1:45 - What we know, and don't know, about the Omicron variant and its potential impact. 6:15 - The important role of data centers and cloud services during the COVID-19 pandemic. 6:50 - Data is global, and travel restrictions are a challenge for new deployments. 7:50- How travel restrictions could impact trade shows, conferences and in-person events. 10:20 - The state of the supply chain, and how data center operators are managing project delivery. 13:40 - The road ahead for the enterprise IT recovery. Here are some resources discussed on the podcast: How Data Centers Are Navigating the Supply Chain Crisis: https://datacenterfrontier.com/how-data-centers-are-navigating-the-supply-chain-crisis/   Be sure to subscribe to the Data Center Frontier show. 

We're jazzed this week to have Bill Kleyman as our guest. Bill is Executive VP of Digital Solutions at Switch, as well as author of the AFCOM State of the Data Center research report and head of millennial outreach for Infrastructure Masons. Bill has been an editorial contributor for both Data Center Knowledge and DCF, and is a technology evangelist with nearly boundless enthusiasm for his work. In this podcast, Bill and DCF Editor Rich Miller dig into some of the prevailing trends in digital infrastructure (digital transformation, cloud repatriation, FinOps and, yes, ROBOTS!)  as well as the big challenges facing the data center industry (staffing, sustainability and inclusion). It's a fun, wide-ranging conversation. Here's a timeline of topics Bill and I discuss on the podcast: 3:30 - The latest trends in how enterprise customers are using cloud, service providers and on-premises data centers. 7:30 - Cloud Repatriation: Is this a thing? How important is this trend? Bill digs into the details. 11:15 - FinOps is the hot new infrastructure specialty. Bill and Rich discuss the power of FinancialOps. 15:00 - The data center staffing challenge: Initiatives to introduce young workers to data center careers. 26:00 - How robots and autonomous systems may help maintain data centers. 35:00 -  Why the growing focus on ESG is good for data centers and good for the planet. Here are links to stories we discuss on the podcast: Infrastructure Masons: https://imasons.org/ Sustainable Finance: The Next Frontier in the Data Center Climate Response: https://datacenterfrontier.com/sustainable-finance-the-next-frontier-in-data-centers-climate-response/ Oracle Unleashes Robot Dogs in Chicago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqL9mqmxh58 Be sure to subscribe for more great data center content!

The data center business has gone global. For developers, this means extending their operations across borders and oceans. For a first-hand account of this experience, Rich talks with AJ Byers, of Compass Datacenters about their new campus in Israel, opportunities in Europe, and the quest for more clean electricity in Montreal, where crypto and cannabis firms are also seeking power to expand their operations.

The Blackstone acquisition of QTS Realty for $10 billion is the biggest deal ever for the data center industry. We highlighted the potential for these huge deals in DCF's 2021 forecast. Here's some thoughts on the Blackstone-QTS deal, what it means for data center M&A, and what comes next. Links: Blackstone to Acquire QTS in Blockbuster Data Center Deal https://datacenterfrontier.com/qts-acquired-by-blackstone-in-blockbuster-data-center-ma-deal/ Data Center M&A on the Horizon as New SPACs go Shopping https://datacenterfrontier.com/data-center-ma-on-the-horizon-as-new-spacs-go-shopping/ Pandemic Could Drive Data Center M&A, Reshaping Industry Landscape https://datacenterfrontier.com/pandemic-could-drive-data-center-ma-reshaping-industry-landscape/ For all our 2021 predictions: Eight Trends That Will Shape the Data Center in 2021. https://datacenterfrontier.com/eight-trends-that-will-shape-the-data-center-industry-in-2021/ Be sure to subscribe for more great data center content!