Datacom proudly brings technology and expertise together, delivering innovative IT solutions that help its customers to streamline operations, raise productivity, enhance service delivery, and increase client engagement. We hear more from Director of Data Centres, Matt Neil.
DATA CENTRES WITH A DIFFERENCE
In the next decade, the Asia Pacific (APAC) region is poised to become the epicentre of global data infrastructure growth.
As the vast data centre landscape continues to evolve at pace, Datacom is setting itself apart by delivering scalable, secure infrastructure powered by 100 percent renewable energy in its New Zealand (NZ) data centres and increased use of renewable energy in its collocated data centres in Australia.
Continuing to flourish and evolve, the company offers 100 percent uptime guarantees designed to meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid cloud, and regulatory compliance.
With AI adoption continuing to accelerate, the demands on data centres are rapidly evolving. As such, organisations now require not only scalable and secure infrastructure but also the ability to support high-density, data-intensive workloads.
As one of Australasia’s largest locally owned technology companies, Datacom is well-positioned to respond to these rapidly evolving requirements with a network of resilient data centres located across NZ and Australia.
“We operate six highly resilient, interconnected data centre locations – four in NZ in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch, and two in Australia with our partner AirTrunk in Sydney and Melbourne,” says Datacom’s Director of Data Centres, Matt Neil.
“We currently have around 40 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity and are scaling up rapidly as customer demand grows.”
CREATING A POINT OF DIFFERENCE
Today, Datacom’s biggest strength is the breadth and integration of its services.
“Unlike a pure-play data centre provider, we offer everything across the technology spectrum, from hardware and software procurement to managed services and cloud solutions,” says Neil.
“Having expertise across the digital infrastructure landscape means we can advise clients on the best mix of digital infrastructure from on-premises, private cloud, public cloud, data centre, or hybrid solutions, tailoring infrastructure to their journey and requirements.”
Drawing on 60 years’ worth of experience and a deep presence and enviable reputation in both NZ and Australia, the company is now uniquely positioned to act as a trusted advisor, not just a vendor, for organisations pursuing digital transformation, transition, and modernisation.
What sets Datacom apart is its holistic approach. Beyond colocation, the company offers end-to-end IT solutions, enabling clients to navigate complex digital transformations.
From re-platforming legacy systems to enabling hybrid cloud environments, Datacom supports the full spectrum of customer needs.
Notable examples include the rapid deployment of NZ’s My Vaccine Pass system during the COVID-19 pandemic and the creation of a cloud data lake for Auckland Transport, processing over 80 million records daily.
“Unlike a pure-play data centre provider, we offer everything across the technology spectrum, from hardware and software procurement to managed services and cloud solutions”
Matt Neil, Director of Data Centres, Datacom
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CORE
Underpinning everything that the company does, sustainability is central to Datacom’s overarching strategy.
All of the company’s data centres in NZ have a 100 percent certified renewable energy contract underpinning their power supply, with a 10-year pricing agreement ensures customers can access a stable electricity rate of approximately USD$0.073 per kilowatt hour (kWh), fixed until 2032.
“With a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2030, Datacom is also investing in energy-efficient technologies such as direct liquid cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, and real-time telemetry for resource transparency,” says Neil.
“Our facilities are designed for resilience, guaranteeing 100 percent uptime backed by robust service level agreements (SLAs). Each rack is equipped with dual power feeds, uninterruptible power supplies, and 48-hour fuel reserves.”
Additionally, the company’s decade-long partnership with the Uptime Institute also ensures its operations meet stringent global standards.
To date, it is the only provider in NZ with this level of certification and one of only around 10 data centre operators in the wider Australasian market.
BALANCING SUSTAINABILITY WITH INNOVATION
At present, the requirements for AI workloads are driving a seismic shift in data centre design.
“Where the traditional rack might draw between three and five kilowatts (kW), AI racks are consuming up to 100-150 kW or more. This massive increase in power density means dramatic changes in the way that we design, build, and operate data centres and the electrical and cooling infrastructure needed within,” says Neil.
Notably, the industry is reversing a long trend of removing water from the data centre floor and instead adopting advanced water-based cooling systems, from facilities management and support all the way to water at the rack.
“At Datacom, we are investing in purpose-built environments to support dense AI workloads and upgrading our data centres to suit.”
Sustainability remains at the heart of the company’s strategy, with the goal to be net zero by 2030. Thus, every decision around expansion or technology adoption is weighed against this commitment.
Meanwhile, AI and other emerging technologies are driving up energy demands, so the challenge becomes one of increasing efficiency, not simply limiting energy use.
Datacom, like all data centre operators, is facing the fundamental paradox of reducing environmental impact and driving towards sustainability to reach net zero targets whilst AI workloads are demanding exponentially more power – a demand that shows no signs of slowing.
“NZ presents a compelling solution to this paradox, with over 85 percent of the country’s electricity generated from renewable sources – primarily hydropower and geothermal – providing an ideal foundation for sustainable AI workloads.”
As such, the country’s mild climate and cooler winter temperatures enable extensive use of “free” cooling systems that significantly reduce energy consumption.
Along with the advantages, Datacom is deploying advanced cooling technologies such as immersion cooling and direct-to-chip systems to dramatically improve thermal efficiency.
“With technologies like AI and edge computing becoming mainstream, the need for responsive, secure, and sustainable infrastructure is greater than ever”
Matt Neil, Director of Data Centres, Datacom
A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY
Data centre migrations and expansions are complex undertakings, and Datacom approaches them with a structured, transparent methodology.
From initial scoping and risk assessment to execution and post-migration validation, each phase is managed by dedicated teams that prioritise clear communication and collaboration.
This process has been refined through many successful projects, building trust and ensuring smooth transitions.
Looking ahead to a bright future for both Datacom and the industry, regional providers in Australia and NZ will play a pivotal role in the global digital economy.
“With technologies like AI and edge computing becoming mainstream, the need for responsive, secure, and sustainable infrastructure is greater than ever,” Neil confirms.
“Datacom’s unique value lies in its ability to deliver integrated solutions – from colocation and cloud to cybersecurity and software – underpinned by a deep understanding of local markets and a commitment to customer outcomes,” he concludes.
In the complex and highly competitive environment that organisations find themselves operating in, Datacom now offers more than just data centre services – it provides local organisations with a future-ready platform for growth, innovation, and resilience, enabling customers to turn technology into a strategic advantage.
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