Max Smolaks

Max Smolaks

Max is a Research Analyst at Uptime Institute Intelligence. Mr Smolaks’ expertise spans digital infrastructure management software, power and cooling equipment, and regulations and standards. He has 10 years’ experience as a technology journalist, reporting on innovation in IT and data center infrastructure.

Latest Research

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The impact of AI on data center operations (Part I)

This report outlines the characteristics of machine learning applications, describes production use cases for ML-based software in data center M&O, and profiles several vendors that offer AI-based functionality in their products.

Keynote Reports 24 min read
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UK prepares resiliency, cybersecurity legislation for colocation

Operators of data centers in the UK have voiced concerns over the proposed resiliency and cybersecurity regulations that are aimed specifically at providers of colocation and “co-hosting” services.

Intelligence Updates 5 min read
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What is the role of AI in digital infrastructure management?

This update examines the differences between machine learning and traditional software development and outlines the terms and definitions that may help digital infrastructure operators to understand the role and impact of AI.

Intelligence Updates 6 min read
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Webinar: Five Data Center Predictions for 2024

In this Webinar, the Uptime Intelligence team looks beyond the obvious trends of 2024 and identifies some of the latest developments and their associated limitations.

On-Demand Webinars 60 min
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Five data center predictions for 2024

Uptime Intelligence looks beyond the more obvious trends of 2024 and identifies some challenging issues. Strong IT demand, high-density IT systems and tough sustainability requirements will drive a new wave of investment.

Keynote Reports 25 min read
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Data center management software is evolving — at last

A new approach to data center management, proposed by data scientists and statisticians, looks to augment the functionality of tools like BMS and DCIM software by focusing on data, not equipment.

Intelligence Updates 6 min read
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What role might generative AI play in the data center?

The propensity to confidently give false information likely disqualifies generative AI from operational decision-making. However, this type of AI, with human supervision, could enhance other aspects of data center management.

Intelligence Updates 4 min read
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The majority of enterprise IT is now off-premises

Findings from the latest Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey show for the first time that the proportion of IT workloads hosted in on-premises data centers now represents slightly less than half of the total enterprise footprint.

Intelligence Updates 4 min read
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Heat reuse: a management primer

Recovery of data center waste heat is garnering renewed interest for its sustainability credentials. This report investigates these initiatives and looks at their impact both on efficiency and cost.

Briefing Reports 17 min read
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Operators’ trust in AI drops

The Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2023 shows that trust in artificial intelligence as a tool capable of making operational decisions has fallen sharply year on year. What is causing this reaction?

Intelligence Updates 4 min read
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Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2023

The Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey highlights the experiences and strategies of data center owners and operators in areas of resiliency, sustainability, efficiency, staffing, cloud and innovative technologies.

Keynote Reports 45 min read
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AI will have a limited role in data centers — for now

The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) has captured the public’s imaginations, and now barely a week goes by without reports of another breakthrough. Among the many, sometimes dramatic predictions made by experts and non-experts alike is the…

Intelligence Updates 4 min read
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Data center operators will face more grid disturbances

The energy crisis of 2022, resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, caused serious problems for data center operators in Europe. Energy prices leapt up and are likely to stay high. This has resulted in ongoing concerns that utilities in some…

Intelligence Updates 4 min read
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The effects of a failing power grid in South Africa

European countries narrowly avoided an energy crisis in the past winter months, as a shortfall in fossil fuel supplies from Russia threatened to destabilize power grids across the region. This elevated level of risk to the normally robust European…

Intelligence Updates 4 min read
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Data center costs set to rise and rise

Up until two years ago, the cost of building and operating data centers had been falling reasonably steeply. While labor costs have risen during this time, better management, processes and automation have helped to prevent spiraling wage bills.

Intelligence Updates 4 min read
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