October 3, 2024

Real Talk with Align’s CEO, Jim Dooling: Navigating the Future of Data Center Infrastructure

by: Align

In a recent episode of the Tech Trends 24-7 Leaders podcast, Align CEO, Jim Dooling, provided a much-needed roadmap for CIOs and CFOs navigating the complex and ever-evolving landscape of data center technology and infrastructure. As the digital world continues to accelerate, the demands on data centers have never been higher.

Challenges for CIO & CFOs

Jim highlighted four critical areas that CIOs and CFOs must prioritize in today's environment:

  • Security: Protecting sensitive data from cyber threats is paramount.
  • Sustainability: Data centers consume significant amounts of energy; implementing sustainable practices is both a moral and financial imperative.
  • Compliance: Adhering to a myriad of internal and corporate regulations is essential to avoid legal and reputational risks.
  • Innovation vs. Cost Reduction: Balancing the need for cutting-edge technology with the desire to control costs is a delicate act.

Jim Dooling_Colored"We have various brainstorming sessions with a lot of CIOs and CTOs, and they continually come back to almost four major areas... Security, obviously, number one. Sustainability... and then the balance between innovation and cost reduction…A lot of the savings are also being reallocated to the technology projects they want to focus on...” 

 

The AI Revolution in Data Centers

The advent of AI is dramatically reshaping data center requirements. Jim noted that while traditional data centers averaged 10kW per cabinet, new AI-driven solutions often require 50kW or more. This shift necessitates a complete rethinking of data center design and infrastructure. "At one point, we used to think putting in a one-megawatt solution for a decent-sized bank was a big deal. Now, you are seeing enterprise clients look for multiple 16+ megawatt data centers just to handle their own corporate environment."  

The Importance of Collaboration

One of the key points emphasized in the discussion was the critical need for collaboration between real estate, facilities, and technology teams. In today's landscape, these traditionally siloed departments must work in tandem to create effective data center solutions. “So unless we are in sync together with the real estate team, their facilities department, and technology team, the game plan fails. It is truly critical we are on the same page.” noted Jim.  

Emerging Challenges in Cooling Solutions

When it comes to new cooling technologies, there are numerous complexities surrounding these new solutions, particularly the water-cooled solutions for Nvidia and high-performance computing (HPC) solutions. The podcast covers the importance of proper design and ongoing maintenance to avoid costly failures. "We are seeing clients use water solutions without realizing the need for continued maintenance and filtration which is leading to chip problems."

The Changing Economics of Data Centers

Interestingly, Jim pointed out that the cost dynamics of data centers have shifted. While real estate, facilities and construction were once the primary expenses, high-performance cabinets and the associated technology infrastructure now represent the largest investments. In his discussion, he goes on to note that the HPC and networking technologies are a much more significant cost driver due to their design, cooling, and infrastructure requirements.  

Want to catch up on the full podcast? Click below to watch now!

Tech Leader Podcast - JLL

Looking to the Future and Align’s Approach to Success 

Jim attributes Align's longevity and success to several factors: 

  • A forward-thinking philosophy 
  • Emphasis on partnerships and collaboration 
  • Continuous pursuit of talent and passionate individuals 
  • Focus on providing value and innovative solutions to clients 

"We need to continually look for talent and passionate people who love what we do... With our solutions, we really think that we can continue to add value to our clients and look to provide innovative solutions.."  

As the data center landscape continues to evolve, Align remains committed to helping clients navigate these changes efficiently and cost-effectively.

Ready to future-proof your infrastructure? Connect with our data center experts today. 

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Ed Fasano - Experienced Advisory Consultants LLC