Sustainable digital infrastructure: Engine for innovation, competitiveness, and energy savings

Nov 19, 2024

Sustainable digital infrastructure: Engine for innovation, competitiveness, and energy savings

How can companies shrink the environmental impact caused by the technology behind their operations? The answer lies in innovation and commitment to a sustainable digital infrastructure.

Faced with the growing need for efficiency and sustainability, companies are dealing with a double responsibility: reducing costs while meeting strict environmental standards, which have become essential to stay competitive. However, what is not always regarded is that both objectives can complement each other. In fact, according to Gartner, 80% of companies consider that their sustainability initiatives not only boosted their environmental commitment but contributed to optimizing and reducing operational costs. This underscores the importance of having a sustainable digital infrastructure in place as a strategic solution to tackle this double challenge.

“When conceived and executed efficiently, technology can be a significant catalyst for business sustainability and efficiency,” said Carlos Allende, commercial director of Cirion Technologies. And he continued: “by digitizing processes and operations, companies can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, optimize resource consumption and improve their operational efficiency, which translates into substantial long-term cost savings and greater resilience in the face of economic fluctuations.”

Energy efficiency: the path to sustainability and savings

Imagine your daily journey: you start by reviewing financial reports in your tablet, you analyze sales metrics in real time and then you connect to a videoconference with the global team to discuss expansion into new markets. Between meetings, you review the latest sustainability reports in the cloud, and, at the end of the day, you access a project management system that allows you to monitor each area of the company.

Each of these actions, from data consultation to remote collaboration, depends on a robust digital infrastructure, with physical data centers and resources for constant and secure operation. Data centers are essential in digital infrastructure, but they also consume large amounts of energy, around 1% of the world’s electricity, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This is just an example that without a sustainability strategy, these essential systems can represent high operational costs and a significant environmental impact.

“For many organizations, the cost of energy to operate data centers, networks and digital devices represents a significant burden. The adoption of technologies that optimize energy consumption not only reduces said expenditure, but it also enables a more rational resource management,” said Cirion Technologies’ executive. “Companies can reduce their energy bills by using low-power servers and cloud data management solutions, which also facilitate resource scalability without increasing energy consumption”, he concluded.

Digital transformation redefines business sustainability

It is understandable that implementing a sustainable digital infrastructure, within the framework of digital transformation in companies, involves a considerable initial investment, but its long-term benefits are undeniable. Allende, from Cirion Technologies, highlights the main advantages for businesses:

Operational cost reduction: Energy efficiency and streamlined use of technological resources, from data center to applications, reduce energy, data center cooling, and maintenance related expenses, thus achieving a tighter and more predictable cost structure.

Improved operational efficiency: Sustainable infrastructure drives digitalization and process automation, reducing redundancy, accelerating operations and minimizing human errors; and in the end, improving overall productivity.

Compliance with environmental regulations: Companies can stay ahead of increasing environmental regulations through a sustainable IT infrastructure; thus, sanction risks are minimized and a better adjustment to future standards is achieved.

Good reputation: Committing to sustainable practices strengthens the company’s reputation. Consumers and investors increasingly value responsible practices and prefer to support companies with a clear environmental commitment, which can translate into greater revenue and brand loyalty.

Talent attraction and retention: Nowadays, professionals value working for companies that promote sustainability. Implementing these practices helps attract and retain talent, especially younger generations, who prioritize employers with strong environmental principles.

Competitive advantage: A sustainable digital infrastructure allows companies to differentiate themselves in a saturated market, attracting customers and investors who prioritize sustainable and responsible practices.

Drive innovation: Digital infrastructure usually includes advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things, which foster innovation, opening opportunities for the development of products and services where business growth and sustainability objectives are aligned.

Supporting business operations and processes on a sustainable digital infrastructure is a current need today that opens the door for any company to a more profitable, resilient future, aligned with the environmental values required by consumers and society today. It is not just about reducing the carbon footprint, but building an efficient operational structure, capable of reducing costs and optimizing resources, while reinforcing brand reputation and complying with increasingly strict environmental regulations.

“The adoption of a ‘green’ digital infrastructure allows businesses to turn environmental and operational challenges into opportunities for growth and differentiation, managing to maintain their competitiveness in the market and setting their leadership position. This transformation to sustainability goes beyond the business benefit, it also reaches their employees, customers and communities, ensuring a positive and lasting impact across levels,” concluded Allende.

Technological Innovation in Data Centers: Where are we and where are we heading?

Jul 18, 2024

Data Center Technological Evolution is one of the drivers behind the digital transformation of the last decade. From the boom of big data to the ubiquity of cloud services, data centers have been the pillars supporting today’s vast digital ecosystem. In this scenario, we should ask ourselves where we are and where we are heading in terms of data center technological innovation.

Nowadays, data centers are characterized by their complexity and efficiency. The adoption of hyper-converged architectures is a breakthrough, since computing, storage and networking are integrated into a single solution. This integration enables easier management and greater flexibility to scale resources as needed, which is vital in an environment with an exponential growth for data processing demand.

Furthermore, sustainability has emerged as a priority. Data centers are massive energy consumers, and companies are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. Infrastructure design innovations, such as renewable energy use and more efficient cooling systems, are changing the way these technology giants operate. Projects that use cold ocean water for cooling or seeking to replace non-renewable energy sources with renewable ones are examples of how the industry is looking for creative and ecologically responsible solutions.

This is related not only to the here and now but also to the future, since two trends promise to further revolutionize the landscape: artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing.

AI is starting to play a critical role in data center management.

AI-based tools can predict hardware failures, optimize power consumption, and improve security through pattern analysis and anomaly detection. This efficiency not only reduces operating costs, but it is also a significant contribution to sustainability as well.

Edge computing, on the other hand, represents a deviation from the traditional centralized data center model. By moving data processing closer to the generation source, latency is reduced, and performance is improved for critical applications such as autonomous vehicles and the Internet of Things (IoT). This decentralization calls for new approaches to infrastructure and security, but it also opens the door to an era of faster, more personalized services.

And with greater volume and movement, risks move accordingly. This is why security remains a central concern. As data centers manage greater volumes of sensitive information, they become more attractive targets for cybercriminals. Implementing AI can help detect and mitigate threats, but it also introduces new attack vectors that require constant surveillance.

For this reason data management ethics is an issue that must not be overlooked. Regulations such as GDPR in Europe are important steps towards protecting user rights, but companies must go beyond regulatory compliance and implement an initiative-taking stance on ethical data management.

All these topics are part of the Data Centers current agenda. That is why we say that technological innovation in data centers is at a breakeven point. Current trends, such as hyper-convergence and sustainability, have laid the foundation for a future where AI and edge computing will play key roles. However, security and ethical challenges must be addressed seriously to ensure that this evolution is both beneficial and responsible.

As we move toward smarter, more autonomous data centers, the opportunities to transform entire industries are immense. The key will be how we manage this transition, balancing innovation with responsibility and commitment with a sustainable future. If we do it right, data centers will not only support our digital world; they will drive it to new frontiers of possibility and progress.

Author:
Nelson Fonseca
President, Data Centers
Cirion Technologies

The Future of Data Centers in Latin America: Transformation Driven by Artificial Intelligence

May 2, 2024

In an increasingly interconnected world, artificial intelligence will be a driver of transformation for the data center industry in Latin America

Artificial intelligence (AI) stands as a powerful force redefining the way we interact with technology, and Latin America is part of that revolution. In this context, the data center industry, the backbone of digital infrastructure, is at an inflection point, where the implementation of AI promises to redefine its operations and efficiency.

Data Centers are critical to driving the rapid adoption of digitalization, including artificial intelligence. However, it is important to consider the industry’s environmental impact and energy consumption. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) report, improvements in energy efficiency have helped control the growth in energy demand from data centers and data transmission networks, which currently demand about 1-1.5% of overall electricity use.

One of the prominent applications of artificial intelligence in data centers is its ability to improve energy efficiency: implementing AI algorithms for real-time monitoring and adjustment can significantly reduce energy consumption, improving sustainability and reducing operating costs.

Gartner predicts that by 2025, 50% of data center operators will adopt artificial intelligence, bots, and machine learning to improve energy and operational efficiency^[1].

On the other hand, automation is another area where artificial intelligence is starting to make its mark in data centers. In fact, AI can be used to automate capacity planning, supported by historical data on resource demand. AI can also be applied to identify and anticipate errors and system failures, while enabling self-healing mechanisms or processes. This would not only contribute to reducing the risk of human error, improving the reliability and safety of operations.^[2]

The implementation of AI in infrastructure management enables faster and more accurate decision-making, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring optimal performance at all times. This is especially important in an environment where the demand for data storage and processing capacity is experiencing exponential growth.

These are some of the reasons why we say that artificial intelligence is advancing in shaping a more efficient and sustainable future for data centers in Latin America and the world. The statistics underscore the need for proactive adoption of AI to drive energy efficiency, automation, and innovation in data management. And because technology today requires scale and flexibility, having business partners that enable organizations to embrace this transformation in an agile and simple way will be better positioned to meet future challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities in an increasingly competitive market, whatever industry we look at.

^[1] EY and Gartner, 2022. https://www.ey.com/en_in/technology/how-ai-and-automation-make-data-centers-greener-and-more-sustainable

^[2] Venture Beat, 2023. https://venturebeat.com/data-infrastructure/ai-and-ml-the-new-frontier-for-data-center-innovation-and-optimization/

Author:
Nelson Fonseca
President, Data Centers
Cirion Technologies

The cloud infrastructure: an engine for innovation and corporate transformation

Dec 28, 2023

The digital age brought an unprecedented opportunity to drive new business models on the internet, adapted to new consumer habits and customers’ needs. However, albeit creating significant opportunities for business growth, it also places unprecedented pressure on IT departments, which must align infrastructure with business dynamics while optimizing resources intelligently to offer organizations the service levels they need.

As a result, IT departments face the challenge of adjusting their processes, technologies, and capabilities quickly and effectively to meet new business demands. Under these circumstances, cloud computing has emerged as an essential resource for driving corporate innovation and transformation; this type of infrastructure offers the agility, flexibility and control needed to improve the delivery of applications and services, and to have a positive impact on business strategy.

According to a Harvard Corporate Review study, 70% of the organizations have already adopted some type of cloud service and 74% indicate that cloud computing has provided a competitive advantage for their organizations. This information provides insight into the overall benefits optained by a company in a cloud infrastructure, after deploying its own applications.

Cloud infrastructure, a company’s backbone

Faced with demands for improved agility, flexibility, and to protect IT resources, cloud infrastructure has become a cornerstone for an organization’s operations and growth. The adoption of a cloud infrastructure became an essential strategy for competitiveness and long-term success, therefore companies that decide to adopt this technology will be planting their leadership in the market.

But what exactly is cloud infrastructure and why are companies turning to it? Cloud infrastructure, commonly known as cloud computing, is a model that allows companies to access and use computer resources via the Internet, without the need to own or manage physical servers or other hardware components. These resources include processing capacity, secure data storage, connectivity, software and various services, all hosted in remote data centers and managed intelligently and securely by cloud service providers.

In the digital age, IT is at the heart of any company and the way we manage and use technology determines our ability to innovate, compete, and grow. In this context, the adoption of cloud computing services represents the backbone of corporate innovation and transformation, an essential tool for both IT and the business in general.

Good reasons to use a cloud computing infrastructure

Underscoring the advantages of cloud computing is not only about highlighting the benefits offered by a technology; it’s also about considering its importance as an enabler of corporate innovation and transformation. There are several important reasons why the adoption of this type of infrastructure is growing in companies.

Agility and flexibility. One of the most obvious advantages of cloud computing is its ability to provide agility and flexibility in managing workloads, allowing IT organizations to quickly adapt to their changing business demands without having to deploy additional physical IT structure. This is essential if companies wish to innovate and adapt quickly to arising opportunities.
Minimum latency and maximum performance. Cloud computing enables minimum latency, meaning applications can be executed faster and more efficiently. With a well-designed cloud-based IT architecture, companies can ensure that their services are delivered with the lowest latency possible, which is essential in high-performance applications and in scenarios where every millisecond counts.
Cost reduction. Cloud computing also helps eliminate significant capital expenditures on purchasing and maintaining physical servers and other IT equipment. Additionally, companies can pay for their resources in a pay-per-use model, reducing operational costs.
Operational efficiency. Cloud infrastructure management can be outsourced to service providers. This translates into a more efficient development environment, where IT teams can focus on creating innovative solutions rather than worrying about the underlying infrastructure.
Innovation and speed. The cloud accelerates the development and deployment cycles of applications, encouraging companies to innovate faster, significantly increasing their time to market.
Security and business continuity. Cloud service providers invest in security measures and offer backup and disaster recovery solutions. This ensures the availability of data and applications even after contingencies, which is essential for business continuity in companies with mission critical operations.

A strategic adoption of the cloud is essential to remain competitive and relevant in today’s corporate landscape. It is the path to the agility, efficiency, and responsiveness that companies need to succeed in today’s world.

Companies must stop viewing cloud computing only as a technology and begin viewing it as an indispensable ally for driving innovation and digital transformation. IT organizations and business executives who adopt this technology will be better positioned to face the challenges of a dynamic market.

Author:
Juan José Calderón
Diretor, Data Centers & Cloud
Cirion Technologies

The Importance of Data Centers at the Digital Age

Aug 16, 2023

The amount of data generated and stored by businesses has grown exponentially.

Data centers play a key role in the technology infrastructure, ensuring secure storage and the necessary connectivity to support all online services. For this and other reasons, they became even more relevant during the pandemic, as digitization turned into a necessity for many organizations.

Growing data storage

The amount of data generated by companies has increased significantly over the last few years. With the age of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, more and more information is collected, processed and stored.

This data blast has brought storage and management challenges in on-premises infrastructures. Data centers are an efficient solution to deal with this demand, offering scalable data storage and processing capacity.

Fundamentals of Data Centers

Data centers are data processing and storage centers that provide the physical infrastructure needed to support online services. They consist of servers, networks, cooling systems and advanced security.

Servers are responsible for processing information and storing it, while networks ensure connectivity between devices. Cooling systems are essential to maintain the proper temperature in data centers, preventing equipment from overheating and ensuring proper operation.

Having said that, data centers are based on three pillars, namely:

Confidentiality ˗ all information must be protected according to the secrecy degree of their content, limiting access only to authorized individuals;
Integrity – all data must be kept in the same condition made available by their owner, protecting it against undue, intentional or accidental changes;
Availability- all information generated must be available to users at the time it is requested, for any purpose.

Digital transformation and the Pandemic:

The pandemic brought significant changes to the business world, accelerating digital transformation. Due to Social distancing and mobility restrictions, many companies needed to migrate to the digital environment, adopting online services and remote work.

In this context, data centers became essential to ensure business continuity and digital services provision. They can allow companies to quickly adapt to changing demands and user needs.

Security and connectivity:

Data security is an ongoing concern for businesses. Data centers have advanced protection and monitoring systems in place to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of stored information, protecting them against cyber threats and unauthorized access.

Furthermore, data centers ensure reliable and fast connectivity, enabling an efficient online service access. This is essential to the satisfaction and good experience of users, as well as for the effectiveness of company operations.

With the ever-increasing amount of data and the need for online services, data centers have become the backbone of modern digital infrastructure. In addition to providing secure, reliable storage, they deliver the connectivity required to support enterprises’ digital transformation.

In an increasingly connected world, recognizing the strategic importance of data centers is essential to ensure the success and competitiveness of organizations.

Faced with this scenario of exponential data growth and demand for online services, having a reliable partner with an advanced offer of data centers solutions is of the essence. And this is where Cirion can be your strategic partner. Count on us for a robust and secure infrastructure for data storage and processing.

Author:
Elton Tiepolo
Business Development Manager – Data Center and Cloud

Background in several IT projects throughout his career, he holds an MBA in Telecommunications from Ibmec and an MBA in Big Data & Analytics from FGV.

Sustainable Data Center – Why investing in one

Aug 8, 2023

This model prioritizes carbon neutrality, energy conservation and reducing resource waste, among others. Each priority has a specific metric.

As people discuss on ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) matters and consumers pay more attention to sustainability issues, there is a growing need for companies to implement actions in this regard.

On the other hand, the significant increase in the amount of data produced worldwide on a daily basis, is constantly driving the demand for data centers. However, these structures must not remain stuck in the past. Demand for sustainable data centers is expected to grow more than 14% by 2032[i], as a result of long-term profitable investment thinking, improved ROI and public pressure for sustainability.

Development and use of sustainable data centers then became a main issue for companies, in order to have operations and use of their resources optimized, aligned with a wave of environmental, political and economic challenges.

Sustainable Data Center and their low carbon footprint

Data centers are used by organizations and cloud service providers to store an unlimited amount of data. Considering the amount of computing equipment in a same room, high demand for energy is imaginable, as well as the demand for water, for adequate cooling.

A sustainable data center has in turn a structure designed to minimize use of these and other resources, with eco-friendly technologies. The choice of clean and renewable energy sources, such as solar, hydroelectric and wind, are some of the measures implemented in addition to low-consumption cooling systems and low-carbon emission control in operations.

In fact, carbon neutrality is a hot topic at the time of designing and implementing new data centers, aimed at preserving the environment and biodiversity, which is also reflected in the proper disposal of unfit-for-use equipment.

One metric for each point of care

In terms of priorities to measure a sustainable data center efficiency, implementing sustainability objectives is imperative and useful for companies. Measuring social and environmental impact of operations allows companies to develop results-oriented plans, more aligned with their purpose.

Thus, ESG-related business actions and decisions are currently guided by the following indicators:

Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE);
Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE);
Space Usage Effectiveness (SUE);
Grid Usage Effectiveness (GUE);
Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).

These indicators allow optimization of all resources, which can be monitored and improved over time, creating savings and controlling the impact of actions.

Although these indicators are the result of theoretical evaluation of what makes sense to measure, in practice only the PUE has been used on a large scale. And this so because we are dealing with complex measurements, which do not provide much additional information to the current scenario. As ESG actions advance across the segment, other measures should begin to appear more frequently.

Invest now to reap the benefits later

Although sustainable data centers call for greater investment in their construction and implementation, their return is not only environmental overall –their total cost of ownership (TCO) is lower, and their management is more cost-effective.

This is because their facilities are capable of maintaining a high level of operations over time, further assisted by predictive maintenances increasingly available in the market. Additionally, government incentives for building environmentally friendly data centers and the rising cost of energy, the sooner migration to the sustainable model is made, the better.

At Cirion, for example, this concern is followed to the letter. Ultimately, we continue working to decarbonize our operations in Latin America, aiming to achieve zero emissions by 2050. To accomplish this, we are using data centers with electrical energy supplies from renewable sources, as well as the latest hardware technologies to ensure low latency and data flow security when operating at higher temperatures. Therefore, they require lower cooling spending.

So, when looking for a partner who understands the IT challenges of our region and offers an infrastructure that is not only secure but more sustainable, count on Cirion.

[i] According to Persistence Market Research.

Author:
Rodrigo Oliveira
Business Director – Data Center, Cloud & Security
Cirion, Brazil

With over 30 years of experience at the Data Center and Telcos segment, Rodrigo provides Cirion’s customers with the necessary guidance to leverage technology for business expansion. He worked for several multinational companies in Brazil and contributed to build Diveo’s operation in the country. He was as well President of UOL Diveo’s unit in Colombia, while performing the affiliate sale to Riverwood/Synapsis. He also directed Matrix Datacenter.