The Data Center Frontier Executive Roundtable features insights from industry executives with lengthy experience in the data center industry. Here’s a look at the insights from Jeff Klaus of Intel.
JEFF KLAUS, Intel Corp.
As General Manager of Intel Data Center Software Solutions, Jeff Klaus leads a global team that designs, builds, sells and supports Intel DCM, the only software that provides real-time, server-level data on the power and thermal conditions across a wide range of data center servers and other equipment. Provided as an SDK, Intel DCM middleware is integrated into Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) consoles to increase data center power and thermal efficiency.
Since joining Intel in 2000, Klaus’ accomplishments have been recognized by multiple division awards. With a broad background in software solutions for the channel, client and SMB space, he has served as Director of Media Programs within Intel’s Digital Home Group, Entertainment Content Marketing Manager, Business Operations Manager, and Software Marketing Manager.
An accomplished speaker, Klaus has presented at such industry forums as Gartner Data Center Summit, AFCOM’s Data Center World, the Green IT Symposium, and the Green Gov conference. He has authored articles on data center power management in Data Center Post, IT Business Edge, Data Center Knowledge, Information Management and Data Centre Management. Klaus currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Green IT Council. Klaus earned his BS in Finance at Boston College and his MBA in Marketing at Boston University.
Here’s the full text of Jeff Klaus’ insights from our Executive Roundtable:
Data Center Frontier: As digital transformation gains momentum, enterprises are managing more data in more places. How will the explosive growth of data (“data gravity”) impact the growth and geography of digital infrastructure in 2020?
Jeff Klaus: Most organizations dealing with large repositories of data deploy some form of data lake that then gets consumed by analytic tools. The data lake tends to reside where security, cost, and data analytic access offers the best blend of insights to overhead. The challenge in data gravity becomes real as analytic tools increase and the amount of processed data (originally in the data lake) increases, which drives the company to search for storage optimization strategies (on top of what they have in the Data Lake).
It’s very important that IT professionals understand this issue, and actively manage the number of analytic tools used in the environment. If left unmanaged, these tools will grow in number and size, overwhelming the capacity of people and resources. Following sound cost benefit analysis should help organizations avoid too much bloat from tools and noise from unfocused data.
Data Center Frontier: There’s a lot of buzz about 5G wireless. What is the likely impact of the 5G rollout on the data center industry, and when will we see it begin to drive meaningful growth?
Jeff Klaus: Well 5G is here and is making inroads in telecommunications, but may take a few years to filter down into everyday consumer products in a broader way. Also, there is still plenty of infrastructure needed to provide 5G coverage like we currently enjoy with 4G, so it will take some time.
That said, when it does becomes ubiquitous, it can enable a significant increase of speed and bandwidth that will bring on another wave of service and communication innovation. That in turn requires data center infrastructure that can communicate at near real-time speeds (to match the ability of the 5G networks performance)
Data Center Frontier: Last year several studies indicated that rack density level is increasing. How might the growing use of artificial intelligence and edge computing impact rack density and the world of data center cooling?
Jeff Klaus: AI and edge are driving a lot of growth, although I see the density increase is more a function in the advancement in cooling and materials allowing for robust deployments. AI and Edge do benefit from better density, because it reduces the overhead from sprawl.
Data Center Frontier: The data center industry is finally talking more about its diversity problem. How does this translate into real-world improvement in the representation of women in the industry? What are the concrete steps that can bring change?
Jeff Klaus: I agree there are many programs to help attract girls to coding and encourage women into tech. As a father of a teenage daughter, I see significant focus on STEM and coding. It’s a great introduction but I’d also like to see more women leaders speaking to younger-aged school girls, showing them the unlimited career options since tech permeates multiple industries.