Why micro data center performance shines in harsh industrial and commercial environments

For years, media pundits have told us that Industry 4.0 is coming. Now, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is here. Manufacturers are using IIoT-driven processes, such as robotics process automation, to increase production volumes and quality at scale. IIoT also streamlines other operations across factories and networks, enabling remote monitoring, predictive maintenance of equipment, logistics and supply chain processes, and more. By so doing, IIoT creates a virtuous circle of value that accrues to companies and partners alike.

Other industries are also tapping 5G, sensors, edge capabilities, computing equipment, and remote monitoring to enable exciting IIoT use cases, bringing more precision to B2B processes. Augmented reality guides workers through training and on-the-job repairs. Wearables, sensors, cameras, and beacons help monitor and improve workplace safety. IIoT can be used to trigger the replenishment of raw materials and products, authenticate goods as they travel through the supply chain, and manage assets and fleets, among other gains. Industries as various as automotive, consumer packaged goods, and pharmaceuticals all stand to benefit.

Small wonder, then, that the IIoT market is projected to recover from its COVID-19-induced slowdown and soar to $263.4 billionby 2027. The smart factory of the future is moving into the present.

Technology equipment is now required to operate in harsh environments

However, a challenge awaits. Cloud computing simply can't process vast data workloads created by connected equipment in a timely or cost-efficient manner. To deliver low-latency, bandwidth-intensive processing, IIoT requires data centers, IT teams, and facilities teams to place technology in new location that aren't designed and built to be data processing rooms or cabinets. Whereas servers, storage, and other devices would have been operated in highly controlled data center environments, now they are being placed on busy hospital and healthcare center floors, at manufacturing sites, in retail store back rooms, and more.

These commercial and industrial environments aren't often built and designed to be data processing rooms or cabinets. Deploying IT equipment in these settings may lead to potential exposure to dust, temperature changes, and humidity, causing malfunction or failure. In certain locations like manufacturing sites, exposure to liquids, such as leaks from overhead pipes or sewage lines, may also be a concern. Further, it typically isn't desirable or practical to retrofit these spaces with the environmental controls and cooling that technology requires to perform effectively.

Micro data centers offer a compelling solution for industrial edge deployments

Wherever technology is deployed, teams want to protect it from environmental and physical harm. They also want to monitor IT performance closely to deliver the high availability required by increasingly complex digital processes and customer experiences. Fortunately, there's a secure solution that offers a room-neutral application: micro data centers for harsh environments.

Micro data center: A suitable solution

Micro data centers integrate all critical elements of a conventional data center into a compact setup, allowing them to operate efficiently in various environments. Each unit serves as an all-in-one solution that includes power, cooling, racks, and management software.

Micro data center solutions fully enclose equipment in intelligent cabinets that are IP54-rated, providing the ideal internal operating conditions and temperatures to protect valuable, fragile IT equipment. Integrated cooling and outdoor heat rejection work together to safeguard technology and the business processes they enable. That's important because these technology cabinets may be placed by heavy operational technology that operates continuously and raises the ambient temperature of surrounding areas.

Due to its compact size, a micro data center allows rapid deployment both indoors and outdoors, including remote locations. This makes it an ideal solution for a branch office or for temporary use in high-risk zones where traditional data centers would be impractical.

Enhanced monitoring and control

Micro data centers also enable local and remote monitoring. Sensors provide continuous updates on temperature, humidity, airflow, flood detection, and more, enabling teams to take immediate corrective action if an issue occurs. An emergency backup fan can provide added insurance, ensuring proper airflow and avoiding overheating if cooling systems fail.

Ensuring technology uptime

Beyond environmental conditions, teams can ensure technology uptime with integrated power distribution and backup power capabilities. Rack power distribution units (rPDUs) and uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) monitor system availability and provide backup power in the event issues occur, preventing downtime.

Physical security measures

Finally, micro data centers should provide strong physical controls. Intelligent front and back door locks limit access to authorized users, while door sensors can immediately alert teams to all attempts to access equipment.

Vertiv™ SmartCabinet™ ID is the ideal solution for harsh edge site deployments

Vertiv™ SmartCabinet™ ID provides all these capabilities - environmental monitoring, integrated cooling, power monitoring, backup power courtesy of Vertiv™ Liebert® GXT5 UPS and physical controls. SmartCabinet™ ID is fully sealed, IP54-rated, and provides 3.5 or 7 kW of fully integrated cooling, protecting valuable computing equipment wherever it's deployed.

In addition, SmartCabinet ID is delivered in a small form factor that's easy to deploy. Instead of building network closets or wedging bulky racks where they don't belong, teams can deploy SmartCabinet ID in confined spaces. They also can capitalize on the solution's zero-U cooling to pack more compute in each cabinet, powering more processes and driving their ROI.

Finally, Vertiv™ SmartCabinet™ ID meets teams' desire for speed to market with a solution that can be installed in as little as one day. And with global production and availability, supply chain issues are not a concern.

Conclusion

Speeding and managing edge deployments in uncontrolled environments is simpler with SmartCabinet™ ID. This all-in-one solution meets the team's needs for protection, efficient cooling, and reliable power backup. Its compact design, modularity, and rapid deployment offer a significant advantage, making this versatile solution suitable for edge environments requiring protection from harsh conditions.

Learn more about Vertiv™ SmartCabinet™ ID today.

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