The dichotomy between the demand for more data and the availability of power is putting huge pressure on Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets as well as emerging regions. The escalating demand for power is necessitating the expansion of existing infrastructures and forcing data center owners and operators to look at new markets to expand their facilities. As the data center models adapt to what’s possible, one of the real challenges of the moment continues to be around the bringing together of the IT networks and the facilities themselves. Advanced infrastructure management tools are being recognized as a potential solution to addressing power management and operational efficiency. The Hype Cycle report states, “ This Hype Cycle will help I&O leaders identify innovations to include in their infrastructure strategy as on-premises, cloud and edge delivery continue to aid cost optimization. Their plans must account for generative AI, revirtualization, new consumption models and intelligent platform automation .” One of the drivers stated in the report is “IT leaders need more real-time analytics and data-integration tools such as these to be able to streamline reporting up to the ESG practice and reallocate their time toward delivering on their sustainable initiatives.” We believe that our Sustainability Reporting Module and Dashboard are an essential tool for data center owners and operators; aiding in the management of sustainability reporting and the achievement of ESG goals. What impact is environmental and sustainability legislation having on data centers globally? To meet escalating power demands, new frameworks are being put in place to ensure that data center owners are meeting their sustainability goals. One key example is the EU where it is actively pushing through obligations such as meeting the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the European Commission’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Both are looking to reduce the consumption of energy and encourage sustainable practices. This has promoted data center owners to adopt innovative solutions and establish transparent reporting protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational sustainability. Globally, there is still a long way to go to have a standardized approach to the design, build and operate of data centers, however it is advanced DCIM tools that is providing the fundamental platforms for operators to get one step ahead. What is available for data center managers, operators and the data center IT teams to work together? In 2024, RiT Tech announced its XpedITe Sustainability Reporting Module and Dashboard and it is the first to dynamically monitor and report on all ISO/IEC 30134 key performance indicators - these indicators are those which underline the EED and CSRD reporting initiatives. While the new dashboard relies on the availability of data across all eight indicators, XpedITe’s true strength lies in its sophisticated data aggregation and analysis capabilities, providing data center managers with valuable and actionable insights. XpedITe is an advanced DCIM tool and is playing an integral role within the Universal Intelligent Infrastructure Management (UIIM) framework - a methodology introduced by RiT Tech in 2021. This pioneering approach is designed to optimize the entire data center operations by leveraging and integrating multiple monitoring systems, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and deep analytics to bridge the operational gaps, specifically the IT networks and the physical facility’s infrastructure. Which technology solution is right for data center operators and owners? The key question is, how can data centers achieve their sustainability goals and requirements with maximum efficiency? In the rapidly evolving industry, the recognition of RiT Tech in such papers marks a significant achievement for the importance of DCIM tools.