Schneider Electric and Compass Datacenters are employing artificial intelligence (AI) to overhaul the data centre lifecycle, enhancing uptime and reducing costs across various phases including design, build, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Transitioning from traditional calendar-based maintenance to a more advanced condition-based maintenance strategy driven by predictive analytics and AI, Compass Datacenters reports a 40% cut in manual, on-site maintenance interventions along with a 20% reduction in operating expenses (OPEX).
This transition has been facilitated by the integration of sensors and gateway technologies that come pre-commissioned at the factory level and connect directly to Schneider Electric's Internet of Things (IoT) advanced analytics platform. The platform, monitored around the clock by the Connected Service Hub, supports the decrease in intrusive onsite maintenance activities.
Chris Crosby, CEO of Compass Datacenters, acknowledged the collaboration, "We are extremely grateful for the unwavering support and unparalleled expertise that Schneider Electric has already provided in supplying us with prefabricated data centre power rooms. Our collaborative efforts will allow us to meet the increasing demands from our customers to deliver cutting-edge data centre solutions in an innovative manner."
Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President, Secure Power & Data Centres and Global Services Businesses at Schneider Electric, also commented on the partnership: "Schneider Electric has long been committed to transforming industries through the power of collaboration and it's clear that Compass Datacenters shares this same mindset. With the unique growth of data centres, one of the key challenges facing operators is the lack of skilled talent. To address this, the industry must change the way they manage electrical and cooling assets by adopting proactive asset management at scale. Through our collaboration with Compass we are proving that dynamic analysis for multiple technology systems can deliver exceptional value and ROI."
The change to condition-based servicing allows for reduced planned and unplanned downtime, lessening risks associated with human error while also addressing challenges linked to workforce shortages in the industry.
By designing for condition-based maintenance from the outset, owners and operators can shift from a reactive to a proactive servicing model, thereby driving down the total cost of ownership (TCO).
The data centre industry faces growing demands for increased speed, scale, and efficiency. Generative AI has spurred demand for high-density computing, prompting Compass Datacenters and Schneider Electric to conduct a detailed study aimed at comparing the operational expenses, capital expenditures, and sustainability outcomes between prefabricated modules and traditional stick-build construction methods.
Pivoting to prefabricated data centres as a solution, Schneider Electric positions its EcoStruxure modular centres as offering numerous advantages, including reduced waste, flexibility in right-sizing for traditional and advanced workloads, and swift capacity scaling—all while maintaining a focus on supply chain transparency, sustainability, and cutting-edge remote services.
