IBM Launches "Smarter" Data Center in Canada

This modular data center features the latest advancements in energy efficient data center management, business continuity, resiliency, security and disaster recovery services.

On Friday, IBM announced the launch of what it calls one of the nation's most advanced computing facilities: the IBM Canada Leadership Data Centre. Located in Barrie, Ontario, it was designed from the ground-up with the latest advancements in energy efficient data center management, business continuity, resiliency, security and disaster recovery services.

"The data center represents a $90 million investment from IBM and will establish 20 skilled jobs in Barrie, as a portion of the $175 million IBM invested and 145 jobs created through the April 2012 launch of the IBM Canada Research and Development Centre network," the company said. "In time, the new data center is expected to provide key infrastructure and personnel to help underpin ongoing research and development initiatives tied to this network."

Funding is supported through the Government of Ontario's previous $15 million investment towards these initiatives, IBM said.

According to IBM, this new facility features a modular design which uses small increments of standardized components to match business requirements with IT requirements – data center capacity is added only when needed. Modular centers can be expanded in half the time of a traditional data center to easily accommodate growing demand. Even more, they can help clients save up to 30-percent per year in energy costs compared to traditional centers.

IBM said the center will initially provide 25,000 square feet of capacity, but has the capability to expand up to 100,000 square feet. Its unique attributes will help organizations adapt existing processes and infrastructure or cost-effectively invest to more efficiently support business growth and mitigate the risk of costly system outages.

"For example, the center will provide synchronous replication of data with another center that is within 100 kilometers," IBM said. "This means organizations that rely on critical 24/7 systems can locate their primary IT operations in one centre and establish a data recovery center far enough away to reduce the risk of a geographic disaster impacting both sites, but close enough to ensure operational or customer data is always available."

The IBM Canada Leadership Data Centre is the newest addition to IBM's existing network of 17 data centers within Canada. It bolsters the company's $75 million investment in Markham and Montreal-based data centers during 2011, IBM said.

"Canadian organizations are seeking more strategic ways to increase operational efficiencies and position themselves for sustainable growth," said John Lutz, president, IBM Canada.  "We continue to invest in smarter infrastructure within Canada because businesses can't afford downtime with today's economic pressures. This new facility provides a flexible foundation ingrained in best-practices so we can deliver essential services to help organizations and partners better manage data, reduce operating costs, improve productivity and gain competitive advantage."

For more information about the IBM Canada Leadership Data Centre, head here.

Kevin Parrish is a contributing editor and writer for Tom's Hardware,Tom's Games and Tom's Guide. He's also a graphic artist, CAD operator and network administrator.

See here for all of Kevin's Tom's IT Pro articles.

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