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Improving Datacom Operations in Latin America

Improving Datacom Operations in Latin America

 From eSociety, June 2019

Mission critical facilities and data centers are a fast-growing industry in Latin America, and the region needs more experts in this field, according to Gerardo Alfonso, P.E., Member ASHRAE. The environmental requirements for IT equipment are not always met because they are often mismatched with adjacent equipment requirements or with facility operating conditions.

To help both challenges, Alfonso with the Asociación Colombiana de Acondicionamiento del Aire y de la Refrigeración (ACAIRE), translated Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments, 4th edition (Datacom Series Book 1) into Spanish.

The book provides IT equipment hardware manufacturers, HVAC equipment manufacturers, data center designers and facility operators and managers with a framework to improve the performance of their equipment and facilities and to better determine the impact of varying design and operation parameters.

Alfonso, a project committee voting member on Standing Standard Project Committee 90.4, Energy Standard for Data Centers, and a member of TC 9.9, Mission Critical Facilities, Data Centers, Technology Spaces and Electronic Equipment, discusses the translation. Alfonso is also the student activities chair and webmaster for Region XII.

1. What is the significance of this topic being translated into Spanish?

Mission Critical Facilities, Data Centers and Technology Spaces (Datacom) are the basis of this digital era we are living in. In Latin America, this industry is growing really fast, and we need professionals that are experts in this field.

The language is the principal barrier we found in spreading the knowledge we are developing in the Technical Committee 9.9, Mission Critical Facilities, Data Centers, Technology Spaces and Electronic Equipment, and our Spanish-speaking members are asking for information in their native language.

2. Why is it important to translate this topic now?

Spanish-speaking markets need highly skilled professionals to design, operate and maintain datacom facilities. Today, companies are building facilities for edge computing and cloud data centers. This book is the best tool we have developed in TC 9.9 for our members in this market.

3. What lessons, facts and/or guidance can an engineer working in the field take away from this translation?

An engineer can learn:

  • how to operate a site by optimizing the air-conditioning using the environmental classes to get energy savings;
  • how to minimize the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD);
  • about changes in the environmental parameters and a reporting methodology.

4. How can this translation further the industry's knowledge on this topic?

The industry will have more competent and skilled workers, and this will help the industry to apply the best practices and develop new knowledge according to the specific environment where the sites are based. We have a lack of knowledge about climate in countries in the tropical region of central and South America.

5. Were there any surprises or unforeseen challenges for you when preparing this translation?

I found a lot of new information. This is an awesome book full of information beyond the environmental conditions. I recommend that everybody involved in this industry read, study and apply it.

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