Data is the new global oil economy by Ark Data Centres, 24th July 2017

Data will be to this century what oil was to the last, according to what is a compelling article published in the Economist recently.

Discussing how flows of data have created new infrastructure, businesses, monopolies, politics – and crucially – new economics, the piece rightly acknowledges data as the new driver of growth and change globally.

In fact, it says this is fuelling a brand new economy, commenting:

“Digital information is unlike any previous resource; it is extracted, refined, valued, bought and sold in different ways. It changes the rules for markets and it demands new approaches from regulators. Many a battle will be fought over who should own, and benefit from, data.”

Comparing oil refineries and data centres, the author writes: “Both are stuffed with pipes”. However, this is a crucial point to address from Ark’s point of view.

With highly efficient direct fresh air cooling supported as needed by adiabatic air conditioning, the pipes in Ark’s data centres are more to do with distributing power and data, than water, meaning the savings made in energy aren’t immediately lost on water bills.

We have been working on the front line of the data boom and during its growth, have worked tirelessly with our supply chain partners to improve efficiency in every aspect of what we do. As leaders in the market, we have paved the way for our clients to be environmentally efficient in the way their data is handled.

With IDC forecasting that we will generate 40 zettabytes (ZB) by 2020, now more than ever, modern, efficient and green data centres are needed to store this data.

So when the Economist is correct to compare the two realms of a data centre and an oil refinery, where “both fulfil the same role: producing crucial feedstocks for the world economy”, it’s vital to understand how far the best data centres have come in their management of valuable resources.

Our rigorously designed and engineered data centres already provide a platform for the smart data centre consumer of the future. And are well equipped to continue to support an economy increasingly dependent on potentially its highest value resource, data.