DataSphere Singapore: Driving Data Centre Excellence with Unparalleled Services

Cliff Lee, Executive Director

Universities rely heavily on their data centres—vast quantities of critical research data need to be stored safely and remain constantly accessible. One such renowned university in Singapore was faced with the challenge of managing its high-density servers for research and development, which required three rows of low-density racks (less than 5kW), three rows of mid-density racks with heat dissipation of 10kW, and two rows of high-density racks, where heat dissipation can go up to 20kW per rack. Any data loss could have negated research worth of several hours, days, or even months, besides humongous cost accumulation. With a critical requirement in hand, the university came across DataSphere Singapore—one of the leading Data Centre Facility Providers of unparalleled solutions and services in the design, build and provide maintenance of mission-critical data centres. Having studied the requirements carefully, DataSphere solved the challenge by adopting In-rack cooling solution, which is upgradeable rack-wise, on demand. The university found the data centre highly efficient, and has been operating for the past ten years, without a single failure or drop in the load.

Cases such as this are indicative of DataSphere’s in-depth expertise in delivering customer service experts, extensive supplier network, and in-house design capabilities. DataSphere is one of the earliest infrastructure service providers in Singapore that offers Turnkey Data Centre services and a cost-effective one-stop solution for diverse data centre needs. “Data Centre users have the daunting task of putting together rooms for the same, with little to no information about implementing its infrastructure facility — so we step in and provide the design of the entire data centre,” says Cliff Lee, Executive Director of DataSphere. Cliff refers to designing the Data Centre as the most critical part of building data centres. Depending on the clients’ business perspectives, requirements, and budgets, the data centres designed by DataSphere, vary vastly from one another. From planning the capacity of the data centres, the High Availability of Modular UPS systems with Maximum Efficiency Management (MEM), the types of cooling solution/ capacity with Aisle Containment, and expansions, DataSphere covers it all and recommends ways to upgrade or enhance clients’ critical systems and facilities based on the information available.

Depending on the client’s hardware, we decide upon CRAC, inline or in-rack cooling solutions, which we select after careful consideration

DataSphere takes pride in facilitating clients with comprehensive assessment and accurate design, which helps in avoiding variation costs. With its modular UPS design, DataSphere allows its customers to increase or reduce the capacity of their UPS systems by easy replaceable plug and play UPS modules. Repairing of UPSs on site is the thing of the past! To achieve High Availability, the faulty UPS module is “hot-swapped”. This has drastically reduces human error. Researches say, “More than 32 percent system failure is due to human error”. We minimize this by adopting the latest technology and the capability of hot swapping of the UPS modules instead of repairing on site. We recommend our clients to take advantage of the available technology, adopt functional design and bring down the human errors,” adds Cliff.

Having been in the market for over three decades, DataSphere has overseen its fair share of changing technology trends. The widespread use of the internet, brought with it an unprecedented increase in the amount of data stored in data centres, which ushered in newer approaches to managing cooling systems and an increased emphasis on energy conservation. “Fast-switching semiconductors like IGBTs have reduced instances of harmonics overheating. Modular UPS systems using IGBTs also consume little power and reduce harmonics pollution, which is significant, especially as data centres consume more power than in most industries,” explains Cliff. The recent trend of migrating to cloud applications with high-density storages, following the introduction of servers by the likes of IBM, HP and Apple reduces the carbon footprint, while simultaneously increasing the processing power within the system. However, as these servers generate excessive heat, which cannot be managed by typical cooling solutions; selecting the right cooling equipment becomes vital. “Depending on the client’s hardware, we decide upon CRAC, inline or in-rack cooling solutions, which we select after careful consideration of its application and the availability of technology,” Cliff reveals. With DataSphere’s service engineers that provide direct support to these critical equipment with rapid response in case of crises. This will reduces the risk of having a downtime.

Physical Security for data centers also forms an important aspect of DataSphere’s offerings. DataSphere has advanced Fire and Heat Resistance Rooms with detection and suppression systems that provide the necessary protection against disasters. The deft network of in-house technician service team, takes charge of preventive maintenance with round-the-clock technical support. “With a focus on disaster management, we allow clients to pre-anticipate what may happen, and the worst possible scenario. It’s all about establishing a high-technology IT Data security room that enables data security physically,” illustrates Cliff.

With time, DataSphere intends to collaborate with partners/developers and reinvent the data centre facility with High Availability, resulting in reduced costs and increased energy efficiency. “As one of the pioneers in this space, we are driven by knowledge and passion to bring in the right solution for the right customer at the right cost,” says Cliff. As the company continues to grow and make its presence felt, the future looks bright for DataSphere.