Inside Data Centre Podcast

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In this weeks episode I am joined by Phill Lawson-Shanks, Chief Innovation Officer at Aligned. We discuss Aligned' new data center development in Chicago and the importance of innovation within the data centre sector.

First we discuss Phill's career within the data centre sector, how he made the move from the UK to the US, and why he made the decision to join Aligned. Phill outlines the importance of innovation within the sector and how he keeps up to date with the latest technological developments.

We then discuss Aligned' new 48MW data center campus development in Chicago. We discuss why Aligned made the decision to enter the Chicago region, the challenges of building hyperscale projects, and why now was the right time for Aligned to develop this facility.

Finally we cover Aligned' Utah data center and discuss how the future looks for Aligned as an organisation: they are not stopping now!

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In this weeks episode I am joined by David Hirst, Group Executive of Macquarie Data Centers in Australia. We discuss Macquarie Data Centers as an organisation and the rapidly changing Australian data center region.

David has developed a highly successful career within media and telecommunications and he is now the leader of Macquarie's major data center business.

We discuss the development of Macquarie data centers and the importance of their strategically located data centers in Sydney and Canberra. David explains how they managed to continue expanding during the pandemic and how the future looks for the organisation.

We then look at some of the key points of focus within the Australian market. David explains the importance of Australia as a location within the APAC region, how they are adapting to meet environmental and sustainability challenges, the geographical spread of data centers in Australia, and how they are managing the ongoing skills shortage.

David is a passionate leader of what is clearly a people focused business. He provides a great insight into the Australian region and also how to be successful within the data centre sector.

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In this episode of the Hot Topics series I am joined by Nancy Lamb, Ed Cooke and Sarah Fox. We bring together the industry experts to discuss a solution to data centre procurement and commercial contracts.

Nancy outlines the current challenges within the industry and her experience working closely with contractors and clients during the construction of major data centre facilities.  Nancy outlines the findings from a recent survey and the views of those working in the industry. Finally we discuss some solutions of how the industry can improve.

Ed discusses the current contracts used within the industry with a particular focus on the benefits of using the alliancing model and why this would be a good model for the data centre industry to utilise going forward.

Sarah demonstrates the benefits of using digital contracts and why the data centre industry needs to embrace this way of working. Sarah shatters the myth that digital contracts are simply an online form and outlines the significant benefits of using this technology.

Finally we come up with a solution for how the industry can become a leader in the use of collaborative, streamlined, digital construction contracts. 

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In this episode I am joined by Jim Connaughton CEO at Nautilus Data Technologies. We discuss how Nautilus are creating the future of data centre cooling.

Jim has had an amazing career within various sectors, including a period as a Senior Advisor to George W. Bush, and he is a leading voice in the energy and environmental sectors.  

We discuss how Jim's experience in various sectors has benefited the development of Nautlius and how the industry can utilise cross sector knowledge when looking at the environmental impact and engineering of data centres. 

We cover why Nautilus was created, the impact the technology can have on the environmental impact and sustainability of data centres, how Nautlius can bridge the data centre divide, and the future of the organisation.

Jim is a passionate leader with an amazing knowledge of the environmental element of the data centre industry. 

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In this episode I am joined by Simon Ford - AVP EMEA at CyrusOne. We discuss Simon's career and how CyrusOne have adapted to the rapid growth and changing demands within the data centre sector. 

Simon studied Minerals Estate Management at university before starting a career in the oil & gas sector. As a result of a downturn in the oil industry Simon moved into networks and the data centre sector. 

We discuss how the data centre sector has evolved during Simon's career and why data centre real estate differs from commercial real estate. 

We then cover a number of key topics in the industry, including the changing demands created by covid, how CyrusOne have adapted to meet the increased demand, how cloud has impacted the sector, and what the future looks like for the world of data centres.

Simon has a great insight into the changing demands of customers within the data centre sector and he shares some excellent advice on how others can develop a successful career in the sector. 

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In this episode of the Hot Topics series I am joined by Todd Murren, General Manager at BlueBird Underground, a 6MW Bluebird Networks underground data center located in Missouri, US. 

The Bluebird Underground data center is located 85 feet underground in a disused mine. 100% of the critical systems are located underground and the facility is built to N+1 standards. They have recently undertaken a 10000 sqft extension to meet increased demand.

Todd discusses the benefits and challenges of being located underground and why customers look to Bluebird Underground for network services.

We also discuss why Bluebird chose an underground location, the geological and meteorological challenges offered by an underground location, the cooling benefits of being underground, and how the environment impacts on the data centers operation.

Todd has extensive experience in the sector and he shares some great insight in to operating an underground data center. 

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

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In this weeks episode I am joined by Mark Acton, an independent consultant within the data centre sector. We discuss Mark's career in the data centre sector and cover various hot topics within the sector today.

Mark studied geology at university before commencing a career in oil & gas and then the networking and data centre sector. We discuss how Mark has progressed his career and how he has benefited by his ability to adapt to change during three economic crashes. 

We then discuss some of the key topics in the industry today. We cover energy efficiency and how the industry needs to focus on what is within the data centre as opposed to the physical building, sustainability and the changing demands from clients, and how technology has impacted the sector.

Finally we discuss talent and what the industry can do to attract more people to the data centre industry.

Mark has extensive experience within he sector and offers some great advice on how you can develop a long term career within data centres.

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

Send us Fan Mail

In this weeks episode I am joined by Simon Wilson, CTO UK & IRE at Aruba. We take a look at data at the source to see how the evolving use of data is impacting the data centre industry. 

We discuss how Simon started his career in networking via the apprenticeship route and how this offered the opportunity to develop a highly successful career in networking and data centres. 

We then discuss how the industry has evolved, the impact of cloud, the changing demands of clients, the impact of AI and automation, and the new technology Aruba are developing that will enhance the data centre. 

We also discuss the future of the working environment and the impact our new habits will have on the data centre and networking industry. 

Simon provides a great insight to the data centre industry from the source of the data. 

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

Send us Fan Mail

In this weeks episode I am joined by Scott Willis, President and CEO of DartPoints based in Dallas, US. DartPoints are an innovative Edge data center developer who are interconnecting the US to bridge the digital divide.

We discuss how Scott started his career in networking and data centers, and the evolution of the industry throughout this timeframe. 

We then discuss DartPoints and their mission within the US Edge Data Center space. Scott provides some great insight on what Edge really means, the importance of analytics in site selection, and how the sector has seen a massive increase in demand during the last 12 months. 

Finally we discuss the future plans for DartPoints and how the Edge sector will evolve over the coming years. 

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect

Send us Fan Mail

In this weeks episode I am joined by Chris Street, EVP Market Development at Princeton Digital based in Singapore. Princeton Digital are a young progressive organisation that is making rapid progress developing a data centre platform across the APAC region. 

We discuss how Chris first started his career in the data centre industry and how he spent a number of years working for Amazon in what was a transformative period for the organisation and the data centre industry.

We then discuss Princeton Digital and their rapid growth across the APAC region. We discuss the reasons for recently entering the Indian region, their further expansion plans in China, and the ever growing demand within Indonesia. 

Finally we discuss the future plans for Princeton Digital and look at what is driving the significant demand across the APAC region. 

Support the show

The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.

To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect