New Data Centre Partnership! – SES Secure & Datum

We’re very excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Datum Datacentres! This partnership is set to take the level of security and protection around our IT infrastructure to the next level.

Alongside being widely recognised as a leading operator of UK data centres, Datum is also renowned for their commitment to innovation, community involvement, and sustainable growth.

Datum’s new Manchester data centre (MCR2) is currently being developed and is scheduled to open in March 2025. Our Head of Technology, Tom Sweet, recently caught up with Datum’s Group Head of Sales, Seb Graham, and visited the MCR2 site.

We sat down with Seb and discussed Datum’s approach to creating bespoke client solutions, the development of their brand-new MCR2 data centre, the impact of MCR2 on the local community, and how Datum supports sustainability through their operations.

We also had a collective discussion with both Seb and Tom and explored the impact of SES’s partnership with Datum, the importance of sustainability, the working relationship between the two companies, and the future evolution of data centres.

Here’s what they had to say:

What is Datum’s process for creating a bespoke solution for clients, such as SES?

Seb – “It’s always fluid. We’ll always make sure to have a detailed conversation with a client to clearly understand what they’re looking for. Every solution is completely bespoke and based on a client’s exact requirements. For example, we offer flexible contracts based on the evolution of client workloads, projects, and long-term goals. We also have a partner ecosystem and only work with proven partners.”

How will the construction of Datum’s new Manchester data centre (MCR2) transform data centre operations in the region & how will it differ from MCR1?

Seb – “In Manchester, there are currently many ageing facilities that aren’t receiving adequate investment, and not many new quality spaces are being created. However, MCR2 fits the bill as a newly built, modern data centre offering enterprise grade colocation space. What also differentiates us from other data centres is the level of support and guidance we provide to our clients. Alongside our facilities, we have an in-house support team who support clients at every step of their journey. Maintaining alignment with our ethos of going above and beyond for clients is at the forefront of what we do.

In terms of the difference between the two sites, MCR2 will be a brand new purpose-built facility with the latest technology. It’ll also be able to achieve far more density (up to 30kW per rack) within a single footprint.”

How will MCR2 impact the local community?

Seb – “We’re based in Wythenshawe and we’re a key part of the regeneration project that’s happening in this area. The new data centre is going to require a large workforce, which will support job creation. We’re currently in talks over a community project based around heat recovery.  Land directly next to the new data centre is set to become a housing estate and we are currently investigating how we can utilise our waste heat and convert it into heating for the local community.”

How do Datum’s operations support sustainable growth?

Seb – “Sustainability is at our core. As we grow, sustainability is firmly embedded into our technical planning processes for all future developments.

Our innovative environmentally efficient data centres are backed by UBS Asset Management and underpinned by our environmentally efficient infrastructure and operations. Our colocation facilities support responsible long-term growth, while helping our clients and partners to achieve their ESG goals.

We also have a carbon survey on the MCR2 building - so we have a figure of how much carbon has gone into the development of the building. This allows us to accurately present back our sustainability findings and actions.

We have replaced the use of diesel with HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel in our Farnborough site and we’ll be applying this change to our Manchester sites too. Whilst HVO is more expensive, it’s crucial for us to invest in sustainability and impact the environment as positively as we can.

A lot of thought has been given to the intricacies of our operations and how we can make them as sustainable as possible. For example, our power contracts provide 100% renewable energy and all new construction projects will include solar PV panels."

How will SES’s partnership with Datum enhance the protection of SES’s mission critical IT infrastructure?

Seb – “Security is crucial for us. We’re one of the only data centres in the UK who have an on-site alarm receiving centre. On the first floor of the data centre, we have a security bunker housing a full-time security team. The bunker is manned 24/7, which certainly optimises the security and protection of our clients’ IT infrastructure.

For SES, there is great value knowing where their infrastructure lies and having the ability to physically see it and touch it. They have a UK-based data footprint, and the location is really convenient for SES and their clients as SES’s head office is only 10 minutes away.”

Tom – “A major reason for choosing to partner with Datum was their transparency around what was being delivered and the technicalities behind it.

Uptime is crucial for SES’s clients so the requirement for dedicated, resilient power and network services was paramount. Datum provided us with dual power routes for our equipment, and also internet connectivity backed by three incoming providers referred to as ‘multi-tiered transit’. This essentially means that if one, or even two of the internet connection routes is broken for our clients, they can still achieve internet connection through the other links. This is far more advanced than single-tiered transit. For us, it’s pivotal to reduce the possibility of our clients facing a disruption in service.”

Datum is renowned for going above and beyond for their clients. What is Datum’s approach for meeting client needs?

Seb – “Like SES, we are really focused on our people, both the Datum team and our client base. We always try to support people as much as possible, whether that is through our in-house support teams and account managers, or assisting with transformation projects using our trusted partner network

We like to get into the detail of what a client is trying to achieve, and we always go above and beyond to put together a solution that fits. This can include the flexibility to grow and shrink within term with our flexible contracts."

Tom – “We also really appreciate that you can pick up the phone and directly speak to a member of the Datum team, whether it’s Seb or an account manager. For us communication is crucial, so this type of accessible communication works really well for us.

Also, as Seb mentioned, SES’s office is located just 10 minutes away from the data centre, making it easy and convenient for our technical experts to come over as and when it’s needed. The process for gaining access to their facility is very thorough and secure, which is reassuring too.”

How can you see data centres changing and evolving in the future?

Seb – “That’s quite an interesting question. There are probably two parts to this – in some respects, it’s difficult for data centres as power usage is increasing year on year to the point where the grid is quite stretched. This is continually impacted by things such as electric car charging and general growth in housing and industry in surrounding areas. So, finding sites with power has become a challenge, and seeing new ones pop up may become less common. Fortunately, MCR2 has a really good power footprint and the same applies for our Farnborough site and its planned expansion

Secondly, AI and subsequent high density requirements will also influence the data centre industry, hence our commitment to providing the enterprise market with high density, enterprise grade level facilities."  

Tom – “On the topic of AI’s influence, it’s evident that more power is being put into AI driven models and programmes. Running this kind of technology may be an issue due to the use of bigger engines. At some point, the power requirement may go down as the efficiency of the programmes (such as machine learning) goes up. This is a trend that’s been seen in the processing aspect of data centres over the past 5-10 years.”

SES Secure and Datum both looking forward to how the partnership progresses and evolves. We’re also excited about the completion of the MCR2 facility and the immense value that it’s set to bring to Datum’s clients, partners, and the local community.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please do get in touch.

0161 488 1400

[email protected]