Data Center Automation

Complete Faster and Scale Easily

Data centers must be available around the clock. At the same time, they are becoming increasingly powerful in the age of AI and high-performance computing. As computing power increases, so do the demands on power supply, thermal management, and overall efficient operation. For data center automation, this means making an increasingly complex infrastructure manageable while continuously integrating diverse systems and components.

With its immense innovation power every data center project is still unique, while project timelines – like everywhere – continue to shrink. Planners, system integrators, engineering companies, and data center providers therefore need both: standardized, reusable building blocks for rapid implementation, but also enough flexibility to accommodate different data center sizes, new technology, and multi-source suppliers.

For these challenges ctrlX AUTOMATION combines standardization from native IT standards, such as Linux, REST, and containerization, with the openness required for adaptive data center infrastructures. This open automation and data platform can be used to automate and monitor all areas of the infrastructure, consolidate their data, and connect existing and higher-level systems. In this way, ctrlX AUTOMATION simplifies connectivity and automation for the high demands of critical infrastructure on the physical and above layers.

Adaptive and Open Automation Platform for Power, Cooling, Monitoring, and IT/OT

Reduce overall DCIM complexity, minimize engineering effort, shorten commissioning times, and roll-out to different data center sizes and additional locations: ctrlX AUTOMATION provides the unified automation and data platform to significantly shorten the needed Time-To-Market for integrators and providers. Standardized engineering building blocks and reusable applications reduce planning and testing effort. Web-based commissioning and remote device management supports fast project execution.

At the same time, the automation still remains open to rapid prototyping and site customization. Instead of locking companies into proprietary systems, ctrlX AUTOMATION uses a common ctrlX Data Layer and native protocol apps (such as BACnet/SC, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, MQTT, SNMP, and many more) to enable a free choice of software as well as the integration of existing systems and solutions from different manufacturers – or even from own development. This provides lifelong vendor independence and protects investments within the entire Total-Cost-of-Ownership.

The comprehensive automation platform also delivers benefits during data center operation: energy flow and infrastructure condition become transparent and can be used for monitoring, optimization, and reporting. Control and monitoring functions can be consolidated on one platform. Centralized diagnostics and remote maintenance support high availability and reduce the risk of downtime. Open interfaces can connect BMS, SCADA, and DCIM systems as well as cloud and IT applications.

For operators of multiple data centers, standardization becomes scalability. Software, libraries, and HMI and maintenance concepts can be reused across locations. This enables hyperscalers in particular to automate comparable infrastructures at different sites according to the principle of “develop once, deploy worldwide.”

With its Linux-based architecture, app technology, and container concepts, ctrlX AUTOMATION also speaks the language of IT-focused data center planners and brings IT and OT together on a shared platform. At the same time, the architecture is open to future enhancements such as AI, digital twins, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization.