msg services - IT service provider realizes dynamic data center

There is no magic bullet when planning a data center. Hardware equipment, air conditioning and power supply as well as access and fire protection must be individually adapted to the company-specific requirements and needs. This is also the case with the new second data center of msg services ag, headquartered in Munich. Here, the latest technology, the highest security standards and green IT have been sensibly combined under one roof. For example, the air-conditioning cycle implemented in the server room, based on hot-cold aisles, guarantees energy savings of around 60 percent compared to conventional air-conditioning concepts. "If you look at all the technical measures as a whole, we save over 300 tons of carbon dioxide annually," says Michael Rettenbeck, project manager at msg services, and adds that the high-tech data center will shortly receive the “Blue Angel for energy-efficient Computer center operation ”as a quality mark that attests to the best possible ecological properties. 

• Industry: IT services
• Size: 297 m²
• Done: Analysis, planning and implementation
• Project period: 7 months
• Certification: TÜV level 3

"Our customers are not interested in the cost-oriented outsourcing of software applications or IT infrastructure"

As a 100% subsidiary of the msg group, msg services ag does more than just provide data center services for its own group. Rather, she aligns projects with the processes of her steadily growing number of external customers. The portfolio ranges from consulting to the provision of innovative software and systems to their adaptation and integration. In order to drive this expansion course further and to meet the increasing demands of the market, IT systems and data not only have to be made redundant and fail-safe. The responsibility for IT security and data integrity is correspondingly high. "Our customers are not interested in the cost-oriented outsourcing of software applications or IT infrastructure," explains project manager Michael Rettenbeck, adding that the focus is rather on transforming the associated processes with a view to high availability, efficiency and flexibility. A holistically planned, almost 300 m² second data center including physically separated technology was consequently implemented, which, thanks to the server technology, climate planning, fire protection and redundant infrastructure, is unparalleled. For the planning and general contracting of the data center, those responsible brought on board Data Center Group, a competent partner with many years of experience.

"The plans presented for our data center were professionally tailored to our requirements and fully convinced us both in terms of quality and value for money."

When the Data Center Group and msg services chose the location, the basement area of ​​the building they moved into in April 2013 was very suitable. The total area available was subdivided into various functional areas and fire compartments of the same size using modular F90 IT partition systems. This resulted in separate, camera-monitored technology and data center areas. In addition to the air conditioning, which provides 100% redundant total cooling capacity of 190 kW, this also includes the feed and redundant fiber optic connection as well as the stationary Novec 1230 extinguishing system and control. In the active server room there are currently 22 racks with an InRow Chilled Water cooling system. In the final stage, you will find space for up to 52 racks here. The cooling system design used is based on the close coupling of the cooling to the IT heat loads. This avoids the backflow of warm air into the cooling air flows, the calculability of the cooling and the needs-based scaling of the infrastructure is made possible.

“Before the order was placed, we looked at two data centers in Munich that Data Center Group also acted as general contractor. The plans presented for our data center were professionally tailored to our requirements and fully convinced us both in terms of quality and the new price-performance ratio, ”says Michael Rettenbeck, explaining that the data center is cooled by an air conditioning system with redundant cooling pumps , Compressors, free cooling and 2 dry coolers. Thanks to the double design, there are no restrictions in the event of a failure. A powerful diesel generator with a fuel supply for approx. 72 hours and a redundant transformer with 760 KVA provide additional protection.

"Our IT location is trend-setting in terms of its structure, size and future strategy."

The air conditioning system implemented in the server room, based on hot-cold aisles, shows energy savings of approx. 60 percent compared to conventional air conditioning concepts. "If you look at all the technical measures as a whole, we save over 300 tons of carbon dioxide annually," states Michael Rettenbeck and adds that the high-tech data center will shortly be awarded the “Blue Angel for energy-efficient data center operation”. received as a quality mark that attests to the best possible ecological properties. The blue environmental seal with the high recognition value completes the existing certificates. With the TÜV level 3 certification of the data center and ISO27001, msg services ag documents that the requirements for availability, integrity and confidentiality are not only met, but that their sustainable quality is also rigorously checked. In addition to the technical infrastructure, the maximum availability requirement is also taken into account with a maintenance contract. The all-round carefree package commissioned by Data Center Services, a sister company of Data Center Group, includes the connection to the Network Operation Center and supports msg services ag around the clock in managing all system information, from alarms and faults ­ management to monitoring the network. Physical maintenance work including the data center and the infrastructure complete the holistic idea. “We consider MonIToring-Energy.sys to be a real innovation.

This is a monitoring instrument specially programmed for energy management in our data center. This shows us all the relevant information about the data center infrastructure graphically and over time and enables timely intervention and optimization in terms of sustainable and energy-efficient data center operation, ”sums up Michael Rettenbeck with satisfaction. "Our IT location is trend-setting in terms of its structure, size and future strategy." In the years to come, msg services ag does not want to reach the performance limits of its IT, but rather to be flexible, needs-based and under the aspect of further develop maximum availability. Thanks to the implementation of the new data center, the company has emphatically succeeded in doing this. As an independent specialist planning company, Data Center Group has an experienced team of architects, engineers, technicians and business people.

Our many years of extensive practical experience in IT and building physics enable us to provide professional know-how in assessing, planning, building and operating a server room or data center. Our philosophy is to define tailor-made solutions for the respective customer and the associated availability requirement. Our experts support you in the areas of IT availability, security and optimization of operating costs - neutrally and independently of the manufacturer. Our range of services includes consulting, planning and implementation of data centers, server rooms and IT outdoor data centers (IT containers) of all sizes. In addition, we offer competent support with the planned certification of a data center or the financing of a new IT infrastructure. With more than 1000 references in the construction of server rooms and data centers, we can offer our customers both individual and standardized solutions specially tailored to their needs, which can be delivered turnkey if required.

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