A summary of recent news appears below;
DECEMBER 4, 2008 -
Key Points:
Australian data centres will be pushed to maintain operations this summer as experts predict a high chance of an increase in median temperatures across Australia.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the weather probabilities from now to January are for warmer than normal conditions over eastern Australia.
According to its National Seasonal Temperature Outlook, the chance of the median maximum temperature being exceeded in November-January is between 60% to 70% for Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, Queensland, eastern SA and the north east of NT.
"If mean temperatures are sustained over 35 degrees, then a lot of data centres will struggle," said Mr Glen Lance, Business Development Manager for the Norfolk Data Centre Group. Part of the Norfolk Group Ltd (ASX: NFK), it builds and maintains data centres.
"Any data centre that is operating at a cooling capacity of 80-90% already would probably fall-over at these temperature levels because they simply don't have the extra capacity, or what is known as 'head-room', for cooling," Mr Lance said.
Bureau of Meteorology climate meteorologist, Mr Blair Trewin, believes that whilst the prediction does not specifically cover extremes, the chances of a record summer are higher than they would be in an average year.
"The odds are shifted quite strongly towards above-normal temperatures in the November-January period," he said.
Mr Lance said, "Basically, if you're already running at 80-90% power mechanical capacity and then you have soaring temperatures outside, you just don't have the cooling capacity of air-conditioning or extra cooking towers to call on."
Mr Lance said the massive levels of power used by data centres was used for maintaining high-density computing and also its mechanical systems of ventilating and cooling (HVAC). There is a need to maintain constant operating temperatures.
"This means power capacity is also under the same threat as cooling systems - while the pressure on cooling systems is linked to high temperature, nonetheless in many centres at the moment, all the different systems (power and mechanical) are under stress," he said.
Mr Lance said that the need for data centres is booming due to companies increasingly relying on the centralised, high-density data back-up services of the centres.
"That means that if data centres can't guarantee secure, reliable operations during this upcoming summer, businesses are at risk," he said.
"For those companies or data centres at risk, a full HVAC audit with service or upgrade is critical," he said.
Contacts: Diverse Data Communications www.diverse.com.au
NOVEMBER 22, 2008 -
Norfolk Group (ASX: NFK) subsidiary, Diverse Data Communications, has recently been awarded two large ACT Government contracts by InTACT, each initially for a 3-year period with an additional year extension option. The combined estimated value to Diverse of these contracts is in excess of $8 million.
InTACT is a business unit of the Shared Services Centre within the ACT Department of Treasury.
One of the high profile government contracts will see Diverse Data Communications managing the optical fibre connections and database for the ACTGOV Network, a world class fibre optical network incorporating services across the territory.
The second, a construction contract, involves the upgrade, updating and maintenance of a large metropolitan area network (MAN): a priority being to link 52 schools throughout the ACT via a common fibre network. The first month of this contract has seen four schools join the network and has already delivered $1.5m in revenue to Diverse Data Communications.
Newly-appointed General Manager Diverse Data Communications, Alan Timmins, notes: "There has been a flurry of IT contract activity nationally and we continue to be especially successful in the ACT."
"We also recently completed the ICON-624 core cable installation from Hume to Tuggeranong, for which the company received a personal letter from the Federal Department of Finance and Deregulation commending our work. And we will endeavour to deliver the same hgh level of 'performance excellence' to both new contracts".
Timmins adds: "Our considerable expertise in fibre installation, splicing, testing and record-keeping, coupled with strong 'civil project management' capability, positions us well for these new contracts. The endorsement of any Federal Government departments is significant and will contribute greatly to ensuring we continue to be awarded these types of high-profile government contracts in the future."
Media Contact: Nigel Cottingham, Norfolk Electrical & Communications (02) 9947 7815
NOVEMBER 11, 2008 -
NOVBEMBER 11, 2008 -
This article is currently being updated.
For further information, please contact Nigel Cottingham on phone number (02) 9947 7815.
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