Schedule

11:30 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Registration

2:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Fluid Mechanics 101: Fundamentals of Cooling Airflow in a Data Center

This tutorial session will introduce basic concepts of air velocity, airflow rate, pressure, and temperature distribution as applied to raised-floor data centers. You will be shown why the flow distribution through the perforated tiles is usually not uniform. It is governed by the air velocity and pressure variation under the raised floor. By calculating this variation, you can predict the airflow coming out of each perforated tile.

Such a calculation allows you to study the effect of variables such as: layout of the CRAC units and the perforated tiles, the height of the raised floor, and the presence of obstructions under the raised floor.

Once the flow rates through the perf tiles are determined, the next step is to calculate, in the above-floor space, the air velocity and temperature as the air moves through the server racks and back to the CRAC units. Many examples will be presented to develop an understanding of the physical processes and to draw practical conclusions.

The tutorial will show how to create a computational model of a data center layout and calculate the corresponding airflow and temperature distribution.

Suhas V. Patankar, Ph.D.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
and
President
Innovative Research, Inc.

6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Welcome Reception
SPONSORED IN PART BY:

Join us for a reception with open bar accompanied by music. This is an excellent opportunity to dialogue with conference presenters, meet new people, network, welcome first time attendees, renew old acquaintances, and meet the board members.

7:00 A.M.
Registration & Breakfast

Check in, pick up your name badge, conference materials and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast.

8:00 A.M.
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Bob Cassiliano, 7x24 Exchange chairman, will open the conference, provide an overview, review meeting logistics and address general housekeeping items.

8:30 A.M.
Conference Keynote: Big Data and the Internet of Things: Boon or Bust for Your Cybersecurity Efforts?

Marketing databases, customer analytics and behavioral patterns are easier to manage with big data—but will these data elements be safe from hackers? And what is the impact of the Internet of Things? Payton will explain how to harness the power of big data and build your big data to achieve business goals while adding in safeguards to fight cybercriminals. She’ll also explain how the Internet of Things may be the ultimate driver of global change.

Theresa Payton on the Today Show 9/29/15.

Theresa Payton
Former White House CIO, Cybersecurity Authority, Expert on Identity Theft and the Internet of Things

9:30 A.M.
Refreshment Break

10:00 A.M.
Oracle’s Journey to Data Center Excellence

The presentation will explore Oracle’s journey and its commitment to excellence in data center facility build and operations. As a leader in IT technology and cloud services and with a focus on sustainability, Oracle has set out to be best in class with regards to its own data center builds. They desire to create and operate a simple and efficient data center program. Together with its partners, Glumac and Holder Construction, Oracle will discuss its unique IT needs, commitment to sustainability and commitment to data center excellence. Oracle will discuss the path to a successful design and build data center project.

Tom Dobson
Vice President
Holder Construction Company

Samuel H. Graves, PE
Associate Principal, Lead Mechanical
Glumac Mission Critical

Mike Steinmann, PE
Managing Principal, Mission Cirtical Group
Glumac Mission Critical

Michael R. Thrift
Director, Data Center Facilities Operations
Oracle

11:00 A.M.
The Right Data Center for the Job

The continuing convergence of large rich packets for applications such as video combined with the billions of tiny packets from billions of devices that will make up the Internet of Things (IOT) are charting a new course for the role of the data center. In this presentation, Chris Crosby will discuss how this evolution in data composition and the resulting increase in the demand for low latency are driving the need for data centers to take on specific roles within new hierarchical structures.

Chris Crosby
Chief Executive Officer
Compass Datacenters

12:00 P.M.
Lunch and Networking

12:00 P.M.
End User Xchange Forum

Designed to encourage in-depth discussion and debate on the latest challenges in data center planning, design and operation, topics will include: trends in infrastructure design resiliency, energy efficient design and operational practices, capacity planning and management, and the day-to-day challenges in managing data center operations. The moderator will guide the discussion with the use of PowerPoint slides and handouts; however, the real star of this session will be you, the end user! Bring your appetites, but more importantly, be ready to engage your peers for an exciting interactive discussion on the latest challenges of our industry. Don’t forget those business cards as this will be a great opportunity to meet your peers in the industry!

Moderator:
David Schirmacher
President
7x24 Exchange International

1:30 P.M.
PANEL: Commitment to Sustainability and Efficiency

Companies operating in today’s evolving information and communications industry are constantly looking for new ways to achieve effective and accountable resource efficiency. With the role of the data center increasingly central to this effort, and with sustainability goals becoming more prominent for companies across the ICT ecosystem, this panel looks to discuss ways to drive sustainability goals in data centers.

The panel will take a much broader view of “sustainability”, going beyond the ecological context and defining the term more as the balance and overlap between various “good” outcomes – including the economic and the social/societal.

This panel will focus on best practices for achieving this type of comprehensive sustainability in data centers. TGG’s recent refresh of its Data Center Maturity Model (DCMM) provides clear goals and direction for data center end-users to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability across all aspects of the data center. This includes facility aspects (power, cooling, management, etc.) as well as the IT side (compute, network, storage etc).

The panel will also provide best practices for assessing data center productivity and managing the lifecycle of a data center. These insights will help end users look at all different aspects of a data center – from upstream, to operations to end-of-life for parts and systems – and how to effectively weigh tradeoffs.

Moderator:
Roger Tipley
Chairman & President
The Green Grid &
Vice President of Industry & Government Alliances
Schneider Electric

Panelists:
Dr. Tahir Cader
Board Member
The Green Grid &
Distinguished Technologist
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise

John Pflueger
Board Member
The Green Grid &
Principal Environmental Strategist
DELL

David Sterlace
Chair
The Green Grid Marketing Committee &
Marketing Development Manager Data Centers
ABB

2:30 P.M.
Create Your Own Sundae Break

3:00 P.M.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Breakout A:
Data Center Power Protection

Designing the right level of data center power protection requires a difficult balance between the “best” or “most acceptable” levels of reliability and power protection – weighed against CapEx and OpEx factors driven by system topologies offering different levels of redundancy and protection. This session will cover the current data center power protection system topologies, the related CapEx and OpEx pros and cons for each topology, and new approaches available to data center designers.

Harry Handlin
Director, Critical Power Apps
GE Critical Power

Breakout B:
Indirect Evaporative Cooling, A Maturing Data Center Technology

Indirect evaporative data center cooling systems were introduced several years ago. The new technology has been slow in general acceptance but as better heat exchangers, better controls, and more robust cabinets have been developed this technology has become much more viable. By utilizing the latent heat transfer capabilities of water we now have effective controllable cooling systems that are operating at efficiencies that before were only available to 100% air side economizers or direct evaporative cooling units. The indirect evaporative cooling systems have found the answer to eliminating contaminates in the data center and preventing the uncontrolled moisture content that were inherent to the two previously mentioned technologies. This is a maturing cooling infrastructure technology whose time has come.

David C. Meadows, II
Applications Engineering Manager
Stulz Air Technology Systems

Breakout C:
Disaster Recovery as a Form of a Data Center Migration

This presentation will compare and contrast two procedures: Data center migrations and Disaster Recovery drills. Traditionally, these procedures have been thought of very differently, although in reality they share many similar components within the preparation and execution phases. The presentation will introduce novel approaches that leverage the similar components to promote efficiency and sustainability. Subsequently the talk will delve into the assumptions made, the basic technologies used, and the similarities of these procedures, as well as the risks and rewards of applying certain alternative methodologies.

Thomas Smith
Senior IT Consultant
CS Techology

6:30PM – 9:30PM
Marquis Plus+ Partner Showcase: Casino Night 

7x24 Exchange is proud to present the 3^rd Annual Marquis Plus+ Partner Showcase. This premier, one of a kind exposition will allow attendees to network while enjoying cocktails, a variety of food stations, entertainment and more…with the opportunity to view the latest and greatest equipment, products and services available to assist you in your day to day data center operational needs. Special thanks to our Marquis Plus+ Partners as this event would not be possible without their support!

Special thanks to our Marquis Plus+ Partners that made this event possible:

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7:00 A.M.
Breakfast & Registration

8:30 A.M.
Opening Remarks

Bob Cassiliano will review day one highlights, recognize the conference Corporate Leadership Program sponsors and give a 7x24 Exchange update.

9:00 A.M.
Moving Cyber Security to the Strategy Table

Companies today must focus their strategies on getting out in front of and responding to cyber threats in a more material way. Their leaders must adopt a comprehensive approach that focuses on the protection of the brand and other assets, the continuity of the business, and the ability to recover from a cyber attack as swiftly and seamlessly as possible.

Fran Dramis will share how data center leaders can use their background in business continuity and disaster recovery to inform and advise senior executives and board members of proactive ways in which their companies can continue conducting business and recover in the event of a debilitating breach.

Fran A. Dramis
CEO
FA Dramis LLC and
Former CIO of BellSouth and Salomon Brothers
F.A. (Fran) Dramis Appointed Chairman Of The Board Of @NanoLumens

10:00 A.M.
Refreshment Break

10:30 A.M.
Blending the Modular and Traditional Data Center

This presentation details the process of conceptualizing, designing and developing a modular data center facility that is integrated with traditional data center design. As the largest financial institution in Abu Dhabi, this new data center supports the National Bank of Abu Dhabi’s need for a new main production site in the UAE. The concept captures a unique blend of US-based modular technology with traditional data center construction while incorporating features of the Arabic culture.

Basil Bahoshy
Program Manager
National Bank of Abu Dhabi

Bob Kirkendall
Senior Architectural Data Center Technologist
CH2M

11:30 A.M.
Uncovering the Benefits of Modular Chiller Plants

Modular Chiller Plants can provide some surprisingly significant benefits to a data center’s operation. Similar to “stick built” plants, modular designed chiller plants can be specified by the MEP design engineers and the data center owner/operator with similar equipment. As a result of this flexibility, data center owners can make strategic equipment choices. This allows operators to ensure their plants are constructed with the highest-quality equipment, reduce trades on site, decrease expenses, shorten installation times, extend “free cooling” hours and increase energy efficiency. In this session, you will hear firsthand from Sentinel Data Centers, DLB Associates Consulting Engineers and Systecon Inc. as they discuss the key differentiators of modular chiller plants, best practices for launching a modular chiller plant initiative, and how best to leverage a modular chiller plant design to meet budget, project and energy efficiency goals.

Dan Dyer, PE
Vice President
DLB Associates Consulting Engineers

Paul Hines
VP, Operations & Engineering
Sentinel Data Centers

Terry Moses
Chief Executive Officer
Systecon Inc.

12:30 P.M.
Lunch and Networking

2:00 P.M.
ASHRAE: Valuable New Information Impacting Decisions

In 2015, ASHRAE has completed a Research Project and has published a new book and updated books as well. The combination of the Research and the new content exposes some unintended consequences as well as insight critical to making decisions about cooling.

Don Beaty, PE
President
DLB Associates Consulting Engineers

Roger Schmidt
IBM Fellow and Chief Engineer for Data Center Energy Efficiency
IBM

3:00 P.M.
Refreshment Break

3:30 P.M.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Breakout A:
ARC Flash Risk: What Owners, Operators & Users Should Know

This presentation features the many ways Arc Flash Risk directly impacts owners, operators, and data center end users. The presenter will also discuss how to minimize exposure regardless of tier level and will share how data centers can support workplace safety, increase uptime, and virtually eliminate costs associated with unexpected electrical shutdowns and repairs.

Michael Liberman
Mission Critical Services
BASS Electric

Breakout B:
Before the Attack – Cyber Security Program Management for Data Centers

Professional and amateur cyberattackers form a continually innovating community. How do you stay ahead of them to maintain reliable data center performance? How secure is secure enough? And on a practical level, how much should I spend to reduce my cyber risk? This presentation highlights case studies on the latest attack and defense methods, as well as the current state-of-the-art in cybersecurity program management. Topics covered include: cyber risk assessment, requirements engineering, program implementation, performance verification, preparedness, crisis response and continuous improvement. Key takeaways include cybersecurity program self-assessment guidelines as well as recommendations for implementation to counter the most prevalent threats.

Dr. Suku Nair
Professor and Chair, Computer Science & Engineering
Southern Methodist University

Erik Reynolds
Consultant
Intertek Consulting Services

6:30PM – 10:00PM
A Night at the Rodeo

Join 7x24 Exchange and its sponsors for a night at Tejas Rodeo where guests will experience great food along with authentic Texas style entertainment topped off with a professional rodeo.

Special thanks to the partners that made this event possible:

ABB, Active Power, Armstrong, ASCO, Caterpillar, ComRent, Clune Construction Company, Data Aire, DPR Construction, East Penn, Ehvert Mission Critical, GE Critical Power, Generac Industrial Power, IBM, Industrial Electric Mfg., Infomart Data Centers, Jacobs, Kohler Power Systems, Miratech, MTU Onsite energy, OptiCool Technologies, Page, PDI, Powering America (NECA and IBEW), QTS, Raritan Inc., Russelectric, S&C, Saft, Siemens, Staco Energy Products Co., Starline, Stulz Air Technology Systems, Sunbelt Rental, Syska Hennessy Group, TAS, Thomson Power Systems, Whiting-Turner

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8:30 A.M.
Opening Remarks

Bob Cassiliano will review highlights from day two and address housekeeping items of interest.

8:45 A.M.
Keynote: Yahoo! Evaporation Pond Design for Data Center Effectiveness

The recent climate change discussion has forced industries to focus on their water usage, as it is both beneficial to the environment and the corporate bottom line to conserve water – The Data Center industry uses significant volumes of water! This presentation describes two cooling technologies at Yahoo! Data Center and its current water management concept. It then describes how to optimize the concept by leveraging those cooling technologies with water softener technology and evaporation ponds, focusing on water conservation as its primary goal while simultaneously improving the Overall Data Center Effectiveness (ODCE) – efficiency, cost-savings, sustainability, eco-friendliness and scalability.

Soechgen Mulia
Construction Manager
Yahoo!

9:45 A.M.
Refreshment Break

10:15 A.M.
Project Echo (CPS) Data Center/Control Room – Challenges & Solutions

Publically owned and operated utility provider CPS Energy faced a unique challenge integrating their Control Room and Data Center requirements into a single facility. CPS Energy turned to a global leader in Data Center Design, Syska Hennessy Group, to develop a unique, fully integrated facility that meets their needs for years to come. This case study will illustrate the challenges, solutions, and successes in the programming, design and construction of this data center in San Antonio, TX.

Bill Badger
Project Manager
CPS Energy

Brian George
Principal
Corgan Associates Inc.

Will B. Hodges, PE
Senior Associate
Syska Hennessy Group

Val K. Loh
Associate Partner
Syska Hennessy Group

11:15 A.M.
The Impact of IT on Healthcare

RTKL will present a case study on impact of IT compute for healthcare facilities. The case study will evaluate the life of a hospital data center over the past 15 years and changes and migration that have transpired and directions taken to present date. The presentation will also discuss how the hospital data center has adapted over time to maximize the limited resources and has transformed itself to accommodate the next generation of technology and customer needs. The presentation will discuss impact of High-performance compute, EPR and digital imaging on data center growth for Hospitals and changes it has created in operation of the data center. Challenges in IT security for EPR and incorporation into requirements of healthcare reform will also be discussed. The objective is to not only provide an insight to the audience that shows documented historical changes for a globally recognized hospital but also steps that are being taken to allow for it be competitive in the marketplace.

Rajan Battish
Vice President
RTKL

12:15 P.M.
Conference Adjourns