Welcome back to Ascent’s latest blog series, where we’re delving into the IT networks on which traditional data center building infrastructure operates. In today’s data center environment, hiring traditional contractors can present challenges when it comes to managing building infrastructure IT effectively. Why? Unlike standard office IT setups, these environments demand a different approach to ensure minimal downtime, redundancy and stringent security measures. Traditional IT practices often fall short in meeting these specialized requirements.

Divergent Practices Impact Operations

The key obstacle in updating networks that run building infrastructure lies in reconciling traditional IT methodologies with the distinct needs of data center operations. While outsourced IT firms excel in standard office IT management, they may struggle to adapt to the rigorous demands of mission-critical settings. Unlike typical setups, mission-critical operations prioritize minimal downtime, robust redundancy and high-security protocols. This necessitates a shift in mindset and expertise towards proactive maintenance, comprehensive risk assessment, and strict change management.

Challenges in Integration and Management

While equipment vendors specializing in mission critical infrastructure excel in providing hardware solutions, their expertise in IT integration and management may be limited. As a result, mission critical facilities may face challenges in ensuring that the deployed infrastructure meets their operations’ stringent requirements. The mismatch between traditional IT practices and mission critical operations can have far-reaching consequences for facility uptime, security, and efficiency. Traditional IT approaches, focused on maximizing cost-savings and flexibility, may not adequately address the unique needs of mission critical facilities, where downtime is not an option and security is paramount.

For instance, conventional IT teams may prioritize cost efficiency over redundancy, opting for single points of failure rather than investing in redundant systems and failover mechanisms. While suitable for non-critical environments, this approach poses substantial risks in mission-critical facilities where service disruptions can have severe consequences. Similarly, traditional IT practices may prioritize ease of use over security, potentially leading to vulnerabilities.

Varied Levels of Expertise

Another issue arises from the varied expertise levels within manufacturer teams supporting mission-critical installations. Often times the field engineers dispatched by manufacturers to oversee mechanical and electrical installations focus solely on their equipment and may lack mission critical experience or expertise in the related IT network and software aspects.  For example, technicians deployed to support a switchgear installation may have expertise in their own software, but may not have experience integrating it into a mission critical building automation system.

Addressing the Divide

To bridge the gap between traditional IT practices and mission-critical operations, facilities must prioritize specialized expertise and proactive risk management. This involves collaborating with vendors and service providers who grasp the unique requirements of mission-critical environments and can offer tailored solutions. It also necessitates a cultural shift within organizations, emphasizing collaboration, transparency and accountability across IT and critical infrastructure teams.

By aligning practices and priorities, facilities can ensure that their IT infrastructure is robust, resilient and capable of supporting mission-critical operations effectively.

Interested in more insights addressing the convergence of mission critical facilities and enterprise IT operations? Click here to download our white paper, Modernizing IT Infrastructure & Building Management Systems in Critical Facilities.