Software-ascendancy helps hardware development

Built-to-Order IT hardware, Data Centres in Pizza Boxes, Modular Data Centres and White Boxes - so much is changing in the so-called IT backyard of data centres. Amrish Pipada, CEO, Mega Networks Pvt Ltd gives us a whistle-top tour of this new engine-room and explains trends like modularity, indigenisation and the role of software here.

- Pratima H

What have been the three big changes in the Indian data centre market in the last three or four years?

India currently holds the 13th position globally in the data center market, boasting 138 operational data centers, and CRISIL predicts a doubling of the country's data center capacity to reach between 1,700 and 1,800 MW by 2025. This surge in data center expansion, a substantial leap from the current 870 MW capacity, can be attributed to several key factors.

Firstly, from Service providers to Innovators: India's data center landscape is transitioning from service providers to innovators, driven by the IT sector's demands, the growth of the digital economy, and the government's focus on RISC-V, providing opportunities for indigenous chip designs. Secondly, the exponential growth in data processing has exposed vulnerabilities, leading to increased adoption of advanced security measures, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and the Zero Trust model. Lastly, the emphasis on green data centers aligns with global environmental sustainability goals, utilizing energy-efficient technologies and renewable sources to mitigate the ecological impact of data infrastructure expansion.

What's your portfolio's focus on? How much of the Make in India emphasis is reflected here?