Universal Intelligent Infrastructure Management (UIIM) - A New Methodology For DCIM

Universal Infrastructure Management (UIIM)
- The story so far
An interview with Antonio Suarez Garcia, Global Product Development

"When you created the concept of UIIM in 2020, what were your expectations for the roadmap?"

When we created the concept three years ago, we knew that it would take hold and develop along with our strategic and technology partners, and customers in the years to come.

In the first phase, we expected the concept to be understood as a new paradigm of an interaction between the various infrastructure and operations management systems that exist in the data center industry - governed by best practices to ensure improved effectiveness, efficiency, and collaboration.

The UIIM concept is gaining more and more relevance in the market, as many companies are looking for a coherent and federated data solution that can improve the management of their infrastructure, reducing risk and ensuring the relevant data exists for non-financial reporting, for example. One example was the COVID-19 pandemic - a wake-up call for many. The industry needs smarter, remote and more flexible IT software systems that can adapt to abnormal conditions like this especially when there is huge demand for, and a lack of, available human resources!



"How have you adapted your own operations to accommodate the UIIM methodology?"

At RiT Tech, we have always worked with this concept of a holistic data set that can be used to manage operations more effectively – it’s in our DNA. Although the name UIIM came later, new additions to our product XpedITe are made with the understanding that one platform will not solve all of the data center’s infrastructure management scenarios and that to be successful it must be future-proofed through customisation and have the ability to host mutiple integrations.

We also feel that with the onset of the CSRD and demand for accurate non-financial reporting, now is the right time to move to a second phase to boost effective collaboration between vendors in the data center supply chain so that we can develop a platform and methodology that meets the growing demand of data center operators, governments and regulators.

Working with this concept in mind it is essential emphasis is placed on collaboration with other institutions, vendors and manufacturers to find common ground and collaboration.

"How many strategic partners or technology partners do you
currently have on board with the principle?"

UIIM is being very well received by our strategic and tech partners as they also recognize that the opportunity of evolution for DCIM is necessary. Currently, we are working with multiple partners internationally, all of whom are renowned companies in providing innovative hardware or data systems for data centers.

"What is the next step to raise your profile among your peers
and industry leaders?"

The strategy is multi-faceted. We work with reputable distribution partners across the world and we are in many discussions with managed service providers who are innovating to improve their own customer experiences - especially in relation to environmental compliance.

We've recently held a 'Chatham House Rules' event through our 'A Thirst for Innovation?' programme where we brought together almost 40 data center leaders - operators and the supply chain to put in place a strategy for change, paying specific attention to moving data center infrastructure management forward.

We have initiated conversations with hardware manufacturers and other systems in the data center environment, to promote the concept and, above all, to implement it together as a standard in new projects and products. To find out more about our views on access to proprietary protocols and standard data exchange protocols you can read our latest article here.

UIIM will be a game-changer for our industry – watch this space!