Parting from the traditional concrete built approach to data centres, Schneider will provide Leading Edge with world-class, Tier-3-designed, standardised, pre-assembled and fully integrated data centre modules. These will help shape the start-up’s first six regional sites across NSW and by being manufactured locally in NSW, will also bring important economic activity to the state.
In a project worth an estimated $30 million, Schneider aims to deliver all the prefabricated data centre modules within the next 18 months, with Leading Edge’s first data centres scheduled for completion in late 2020, located in Newcastle and Tamworth, NSW.
Utilising Schneider’s local, regional and global expertise in delivering prefabricated data centre solutions, each of the six sites will host 75 racks featuring 5 kW per rack power density, designed to optimise the local computer networks by minimising delay in data exchange – low latency and high internet speed.
“Schneider is dedicated to upgrading digital infrastructure from capitals to townships across Australia. Impressed with Leading Edge’s regional focus in particular, we had recognised the great synergy between Schneider’s expertise and Leading Edge’s ambitions in the very early stage of its development,” said Mark Deguara, General Manager Data Centres at Schneider.
He added, “As a leading player in the field, not only do we deliver typical benefits associated with prefabricated data centres, such as faster local deployment, pre-tested reliability and improved predictability, we also achieve ongoing cost savings due to consistency of build in many cases compared with traditional built data centres.”
Chris Thorpe, founder and CEO of Leading Edge Data Centres, commented, “Enhancing regional connectivity in Australia is core to what we are doing in bridging the digital divide between Metro and Regional Australia.
“Our network of regional, highly connected data centers will be an enabler for digital infrastructure – enable faster computing by locally hosting the applications; whether for content hosting and distribution, IoT data processing, digital mapping, AgTech, autonomous machinery, telehealth, or telecommunications, among others which also help take load out of the existing backhaul networks.
“Schneider’s proven track of expertise in this area is what caught our eye and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with such a trusted and established brand.”
Schneider has been a proud partner for prefabricated data centre solutions with Animal Logic, Fox Studios Australia as well as Northpower and Tauranga City Council in New Zealand.