As digital infrastructure expands, the need to optimize energy use and reduce carbon emissions becomes increasingly urgent. Efficiency is no longer only a cost metric—it’s a strategic lever for sustainability. This juncture is where Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) comes into play.
DCIM is a comprehensive approach to monitoring, managing, and optimizing the physical infrastructure that supports IT systems—spanning power, cooling, space, and environmental conditions. By integrating DCIM platforms like EcoStruxure™ IT with physical infrastructure, organizations have the power to unlock a powerful layer of operational intelligence that drives measurable efficiency gains across the entire asset lifecycle.
Here are what I see as 5 strengths of DCIM when it comes to optimizing IT infrastructure for sustainability purposes:
1. Granular energy monitoring at the device level
A core strength of comprehensive DCIM is its ability to provide real-time, device-level visibility into energy consumption across the physical infrastructure. When connected to hardware—such as UPSs, PDUs, CRAC units, and intelligent rack sensors—DCIM platforms enable granular telemetry and historical trend analysis. This strength empowers operators to:
- Identify idle or underloaded equipment consuming disproportionate energy.
- Correlate energy use with operational demand to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste.
Some DCIM solutions – EcoStruxure IT in particular – are designed to be vendor-neutral, supporting a wide range of third-party devices across diverse environments. For example, EcoStruxure IT, when connected to Schneider Electric or APC hardware, empowers users to gain deeper integration and richer data sets—including advanced diagnostics, lifecycle analytics, and native support for firmware updates and configuration management. This ability provides enhanced interoperability to enable even more precise energy optimization and proactive infrastructure management.
2. Intelligent cooling optimization
Cooling systems can account for up to 40% of a facility’s energy use. EcoStruxure IT leverages environmental sensor data, equipment telemetry, and advanced modelling tools to optimize cooling performance:
- Map thermal zones and identify overcooled or undercooled areas using real-time sensor data.
- Enable dynamic airflow control by integrating with variable-speed fans and CRAC units to match cooling output with actual thermal demand.
- Predict thermal events using machine learning models trained on historical, environmental, and equipment data.
- Simulate airflow and temperature distribution with EcoStruxure IT Design CFD, enabling data-driven design decisions and proactive cooling strategies before deployment.
All of these factors result in lower cooling energy consumption without compromising thermal safety margins, while also supporting more efficient capacity planning and infrastructure design.
3. Capacity planning
Effective capacity planning is essential for maintaining operational efficiency and avoiding both overprovisioning and resource constraints. By continuously analysing power draw, load distribution, and redundancy levels, some DCIM solutions – including EcoStruxure IT – enable precise, data-driven infrastructure planning:
- Optimize load distribution across phases and circuits to reduce electrical losses and improve power quality.
- Right-size power and cooling infrastructure based on real-time and historical usage patterns, avoiding unnecessary oversizing.
- Forecast capacity constraints by identifying trends in power and thermal demand, enabling proactive upgrades before bottlenecks occur.
This level of insight is a key strength, ensuring that both power and cooling systems operate closer to their optimal efficiency point—minimizing stranded capacity, reducing capital and operational expenditures, and supporting long-term sustainability goals.
4. Predictive maintenance and asset efficiency
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) are critical to infrastructure resilience, but they can also be a hidden source of inefficiency and unplanned downtime if not properly managed. In the case of EcoStruxure IT, by connecting UPS systems and related hardware, organizations gain access to advanced predictive maintenance capabilities that enhance both performance and sustainability:
- Monitor UPS efficiency in real time, identifying systems operating below optimal load levels where energy losses are highest.
- Track battery health using wear models that account for temperature, charge cycles, and age—enabling proactive replacement before performance degradation or failure.
- Automate alerts and service workflows, reducing mean time to repair (MTTR) and avoiding reactive maintenance.
By extending asset life and avoiding premature replacements, this approach is a strength, supporting a more circular and resource-efficient lifecycle—minimizing both environmental impact and operational risk.
5. Remote operations and reduced site visits
The remote management capabilities of DCIM reduce the need for physical interventions. With EcoStruxure IT, these include:
- Remote firmware updates and configuration changes.
- Secure remote troubleshooting and diagnostics.
- Centralized visibility across distributed sites.
These benefits translate to fewer truck rolls, lower travel emissions, and faster incident resolution.
Efficiency as a sustainability multiplier
Connecting EcoStruxure IT with hardware transforms infrastructure from passive assets into active participants in sustainability. By enabling real-time optimization, predictive analytics, and remote operations, this integration delivers a wealth of benefits, including:
- Lower energy consumption
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Extended asset lifespan
- Improved operational resilience
In a world where every watt and every gram of CO₂ counts, this is not just smart infrastructure—it’s sustainable infrastructure. To learn more about EcoStruxure IT, please visit our website and our EcoStruxure IT Community.
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