1. Why is it important to connect the design with the operation of a data center?

The data center industry is evolving rapidly: more capacity, more automation and, at the same time, more pressure for sustainability and efficiency. In this context, a flawless design on paper is no guarantee of success if you don't think about how the facility will be operated from the outset.

Every access, every route, every system must be easy to maintain and safe to operate. Otherwise, intervention times, the risk of human error and operating costs increase. At DConcept, we believe that design has to go hand in hand with operation from the very beginning. That is why we talk about "from concept to operation": accompanying the customer throughout the data center life cycle.

2. In DCW you present the "Data Center of the Future". How is that vision reflected there?

We wanted visitors to experience a data center as if they were working in it. Not only to see cutting-edge technology, but also to walk through a space designed to facilitate daily operations: optimized access, clear signage, integration of sensorization and artificial intelligence for system control.

The aim is to show that good design is not only about energy efficiency or scalability, but also about the people who operate it being able to do so quickly, safely and reliably. In short, infrastructures that are more reliable, easier to manage and aligned with the sector's new culture of resilience.

3. What trends are impacting the operation the most?

Digitalization is completely transforming the way a data center operates. Automation with artificial intelligence and the massive use of IoT make it possible to monitor thermal, energy and security behavior in real time, anticipating failures and adjusting consumption dynamically.

However, this poses new challenges: staff training, systems integration and process adaptation. Technology is useless if it is not operable. That is why, along with sustainability and energy efficiency, the great challenge of the coming years is to design with operation in mind, to reduce complexity and improve the experience of those who work inside.

4. What message would you like to convey to the industry?

The success of a data center is not measured on the day of its inauguration, but when, five years later, it is still operating reliably and efficiently. To achieve this, it is necessary to think of the entire chain: design, construction and operation as a single process.

If the industry adopts this holistic vision, we will be able to build more sustainable, resilient and humane infrastructures, prepared for the challenges of a constantly changing market.

About Eduardo Sanchez:

Eduardo Sanchez is industrial engineer and co-founder of DConcept, where he leads the data center engineering area. Passionate about the design and operation of critical infrastructures, he combines innovation, sustainability and practicality to create reliable and future-proof data centers. His vision is summed up in the company's motto: from concept to operationreflecting a commitment to the entire data center lifecycle.