The terminology surrounding data center's has undergone a significant shift. From the early days of "computer rooms" and "disaster recovery centre's," the focus has evolved to "business continuity." This reflects a broader understanding of the critical role data centre's play in modern business operations.
Dato' Praba Thiagarajah, a seasoned veteran in the data center industry since 1996, has witnessed the transformative journey of data cente'rs in Malaysia and the broader APAC region. Starting with a repurposed three-story building, he has been at the forefront of this technological evolution. In this interview, Dato' Praba shares his knowledge on:
Client Needs and Regulatory Influence
The initial impetus for data center's emerged from the financial sector, where regulatory bodies like the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Bank Negara mandated backup sites. This spurred the need for robust infrastructure to ensure business continuity.
Technological Advancements
The technological landscape has also seen profound changes. The transition from mainframes to Unix and Linux environments has empowered greater application mobility and flexibility. This has been a key driver for the expansion of data center capabilities.
Emergence of Hyperscalers
Post-2008, the demand for data center's surged, particularly from hyperscalers like AWS, Azure, and Google. These companies, catering to the burgeoning cloud services market, have significantly contributed to the growth of the data center industry.
Green Data Centers
In 2008, Dato' Praba's company, Basis Bay pioneered the construction of the first green data center in Asia, emphasizing sustainability while serving the needs of financial institutions. This marked a significant step towards environmentally responsible data center operations.
Robust Digital Infrastructure
A robust digital infrastructure is characterized by high redundancy, no single point of failure, and dual power sources. Geographical separation of data center's is crucial to mitigate risks from natural disasters.
Data Sovereignty and Security
As data sovereignty becomes increasingly critical, local control over data center's is essential to comply with regulatory requirements and safeguard sensitive information.
The demand for data centers is poised to continue its upward trajectory, fuelled by the rise of AI and other emerging technologies. Malaysia, with its strategic location and favourable conditions, is well-positioned to emerge as a prominent data center hub.
The journey of data centers in APAC has been marked by significant technological advancements, changing client needs, and evolving regulatory landscapes. As the demand for data continues to grow, data centers will play an increasingly critical role in driving innovation and economic growth in the region.
Watch the full interview below:
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