Smart cost management is crucial for the success of any data center operation. It requires an understanding of the business needs and an ability to balance the cost of resources with the need for high-performance and reliability. Among the smart cost management strategies include optimizing energy consumption, reducing hardware and software costs and leveraging on the support of government initiatives. By implementing a strategic cost management plan, data centers can operate more efficiently and reduce expenses.
In-House Automation Solution
Automation has revolutionised certain industries, and the data center industry is no exception. With the ability to increase efficiency, reduce critical incidents, and improve customer experience, automation has become increasingly important for companies looking to stay ahead of the competition.
While there are cost considerations when purchasing a ready-made solution from an automation provider, there are alternative cost-effective solutions.
According to Stephanus Oscar, Chief Executive Officer of Edge DC, companies can start small by hiring automation engineers and working around coding to cater to requirement of data centers.
“There is no need for expensive equipment but instead hire automation engineers and work around some coding. Once the effectiveness of the in-house automation solution can be seen through innovation, it can be applied on a larger scale in the data center. This approach takes time, but it is a cost-effective solution for companies that want to reap the benefits of automation without breaking the bank,” said Oscar.
PUE
One of the biggest cost factors in a data center is power and optimizing the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is essential to keep costs down. PUE is the ratio of the total amount of power used by a computer data center facility to the power delivered to computing equipment.
According to Oscar, this can be achieved by designing an energy-efficient data center and selecting the right technology for energy-efficient cooling.
“Specially designed liquid cooling technology is another method which will drive PUE down. Automation can also be used to prevent downtime of equipment by using predictive maintenance, which can also save time and money in the long run,” said Oscar.
Government Support
The Indonesian government recognizes the importance of the data center industry and is working to support it, according to Oscar. The Ministry of Finance is encouraging the growth of the digital economy, including data hosting and data processes, by introducing tax reductions as incentives.
“Companies can apply for tax holidays when building a new data center project, and the government is open to working with data center companies to better understand the industry and how to support it. By collaborating with state-owned companies like PLN (state electricity company), the government can gain a better understanding of the data center industry and provide more support to the data center market,” he added.
