As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to redefine business operations, the pressure on data center infrastructure to evolve is intensifying. The 2025 Gartner Hype Cycle for Data Center Infrastructure Technologies outlines over 25 emerging innovations that are reshaping how enterprises build, manage, and scale their digital environments.
At Schneider Electric, we are proud to be recognized as a Sample Vendor in seven categories in this year’s report. Among these, we believe Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) and Microgrids are especially critical to enabling AI adoption, sustainability, and operational resilience.
AI adoption demands smarter infrastructure
The Gartner report emphasizes that “secure, resilient, modular and scalable data centers are top priority for heads of I&O, but they must also optimize costs and track emerging technology trends. However, achieving these goals requires more than hardware upgrades—it demands a strategic embrace of emerging technologies that support automation, energy efficiency, and intelligent operations.
As AI workloads become more complex and demanding, data centers must adapt to support high-density computing, real-time analytics, and sustainable energy practices “Secure, resilient, modular and scalable data centers are top priority for heads of I&O, but they must also optimize costs and track emerging technology trends.”
(Source: Gartner® Hype Cycle for Data Center Infrastructure Technologies, 2025)
DCIM: A strategic enabler for AI-ready operations
Schneider Electric for its EcoStruxure™ IT platform is recognized in the report’s coverage of DCIM tools, which Gartner positions with a high benefit rating. DCIM solutions are critical for enterprises at every stage of AI maturity:
Emerging Stage: DCIM tools are positioned in the short term (<2 years) Plateau of productivity, with 20–50% market penetration. Gartner highlights their role in optimizing power, cooling, and space utilization to improve sustainability and operational efficiency.
Growth Stage: Comprehensive DCIM platforms integrate AI and machine learning to enable predictive maintenance, automated workflows, and capacity planning. These features reduce downtime and enhance scalability—essential for supporting expanding AI workloads.
Advanced Stage: At this level, DCIM tools offer deep analytics and real-time insights, enabling continuous optimization of infrastructure. Schneider Electric’s solutions empower data center managers to make informed decisions, adapt to changing demands, and maintain peak performance with physical and cybersecurity at the forefront.
We believe the Gartner recognition of DCIM reflects its growing importance in the AI era. As enterprises seek to align infrastructure with digital strategy, a comprehensive DCIM solution becomes a cornerstone of intelligent, secure, and efficient operations.
Microgrids: Powering resilience and sustainability
Another area where Schneider Electric is recognized is microgrids, a technology Gartner highlights for its role in enhancing resilience and sustainability for enterprise data centers. As data centers face increasing pressure to reduce emissions and ensure uptime, microgrids offer a compelling solution.
Emerging Stage: Microgrids are in the Early Mainstream phase with 5–20% market penetration. Gartner emphasizes their ability to enhance energy resilience, reduce transmission losses, and support sustainability goals.
(Source: Gartner Hype Cycle for Data Center Infrastructure Technologies, 2025)
Growth Stage: Integration with renewable energy sources and energy storage systems allows Microgrids to support sustainability goals and meet regulatory requirements. Schneider Electric’s Microgrid solutions enable seamless transitions between grid and local power, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Advanced Stage: Sophisticated energy management capabilities allow Microgrids to optimize power usage, balance loads, and support high-performance AI applications. These systems are designed to scale with enterprise needs, offering flexibility and control.
Schneider Electric’s Microgrid technologies are built to support the evolving demands of modern data centers—delivering reliability, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
Other key technologies to watch
Beyond DCIM and Microgrids, the Gartner 2025 Hype Cycle highlights several other innovations that we believe are shaping the future of data center AI-ready infrastructure:
Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling: Two-phase direct-to-chip liquid cooling supports extreme power densities and improves energy efficiency by reducing fan usage and enabling higher inlet temperatures. Gartner rates its benefit as transformational. (Source: Gartner Hype Cycle for Data Center Infrastructure Technologies, 2025)
AI-Native Software Engineering: As AI becomes embedded in infrastructure management, software tools must evolve to support intelligent automation, anomaly detection, and adaptive control.
Schneider Electric: Enabling the future of data centers
We believe the inclusion of Schneider Electric in the Gartner 2025 Hype Cycle underscores our commitment to innovation and excellence in AI-ready infrastructure technologies. Our portfolio is designed to help enterprises:
- Scale AI workloads efficiently and sustainably
- Optimize energy use and reduce carbon emissions
- Ensure uptime and operational resilience
- Adapt to evolving business needs with modular, intelligent solutions
Whether you’re beginning your AI journey or managing complex, high-performance environments, Schneider Electric provides the tools and expertise to support your transformation.
From insight to action: Modernize your data center with Schneider Electric
The 2025 Gartner Hype Cycle is more than a list of technologies—it’s a strategic guide for navigating the future of data center infrastructure. For Data Center and IT professionals, the message is clear: innovation must be intentional, scalable, and aligned with business goals.
By investing in proven IT solutions like DCIM and Microgrids, and staying informed about emerging trends, organizations can build infrastructure that supports AI, enhances sustainability, and drives enterprise competitive advantages.
We invite you to explore the full Gartner report.
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Gartner, Hype Cycle for Data Center Infrastructure Technologies, Henrique Cecci, 30 June 2025. This graphic was published by Gartner, Inc. as part of a larger research document and should be evaluated in the context of the entire document. The Gartner document is available upon request from Schneider Electric.
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