Johnson Controls recently announced the creation of the dedicated Global Data Center Solutions organization within the company.
The company said the new organization is “focused specifically on operationalizing Johnson Controls’ global scale to provide integrated solutions to data center customers around the world in support of the company’s business segments.”
The new unit within Johnson Controls includes HVAC, building management, fire, security, life safety, services, and integrated solutions.
Todd Grabowski, who has been with Johnson Controls for more than 30 years and most recently served as vice president of the company’s HVAC-R business, is president of the new organization.
Grabowski reports to Johnson Controls’ chairman and chief executive officer George Oliver.
Oliver commented, “Over the last few years, we have been investing and building momentum in the data center market to establish Johnson Controls’ leading position. It is clear our offering is resonating with customers, and we are now taking further steps to capture the growth opportunity ahead of us."
He continued, "Todd and his team will prioritize offering our full suite of smart building technologies—coupling our unique set of energy-efficient, sustainable, and safe data center solutions with unmatched service—to meet increasing demand and drive Johnson Controls’ continued growth and value creation.”
Johnson Controls points out that many of its products and systems already are used in data centers worldwide, adding it “has a unique portfolio of integrated solutions that help minimize costs, maximize efficiency, and optimize timing for data center owners."
“Our products and solutions are found in the most demanding data centers in the world,” adds a company statement. “From the hidden danger of loud fire suppression discharges to the sustainable solution of free cooling, our portfolio of integrated solutions helps minimize costs, maximize efficiency, and optimize timing when speed matters.
Data Center Megatrends
In further explaining the mandate of its new dedicated data center solutions unit, Johnson Controls noted that the need for smart data centers is rapidly expanding, fueled by megatrends such as the exponential rise of AI and increasing demand for real-time data processing and analytics.
As pointed out by the company, "AI workloads consume 10X more power than traditional search queries - meaning data center owners and operators face an urgent challenge to deliver services efficiently, cost-effectively while meeting sustainability goals."
Johnson Controls added that its products and systems are already found in the most demanding data centers in the world. In 2022, the company launched its hyperscale data center solutions platform, leveraging its Silent-Aire solutions.
As further heralded by the company:
From the hidden danger of loud fire suppression discharges to the sustainable solution of free cooling, our portfolio of integrated solutions helps minimize costs, maximize efficiency, and optimize timing when speed matters.
In mission-critical environments like the data center, reliable products and responsive services are everything. Your equipment can't perform below expectations and your security must be cutting edge.
For data centers, your building is your product - and Johnson Controls has the integrated solutions to make your data center smarter, safer and more sustainable.
Strategic Advantages
The company further stated it is “well-positioned to capitalize on rapidly increasing demand in the emerging data center market due to its relentless innovation efforts and inherent strategic advantages.”
Johnson Controls outlined those strategic advantages as follows.
- Creating leading technologies incorporating a range of air-cooled and water-cooled chillers to support the continued growth in cooling demand.
- Investing in research-and-development and world-class test laboratories to design, build, test, and demonstrate performance of equipment and accelerate the pace of innovation.
- Building leading domain expertise to provide complete package solutions that drive outcomes while providing service for the entire lifecycle of the asset.
Johnson Controls' data center organization head Grabowski concluded:
“Solving customer problems today and in the future is what we do best at Johnson Controls. We have optimized our investments and solutions to ensure we are uniquely qualified to provide the differentiated outcomes data center customers need and expect from an industry leader. Our global footprint allows us to scale and deploy these solutions wherever they are needed and earn long-term connection with those customers through our unparalleled service offerings.”
