Bridging the Legacy Gap in a UAE Data Centre
How a leading colocation provider gained unified power visibility without replacing legacy infrastructure
When a major UAE colocation provider acquired a legacy data centre, they inherited more than just racks and customers. They also inherited outdated infrastructure that offered little visibility into power usage. The challenge was clear: support existing clients today while building a smarter, future-ready facility for tomorrow.
The Challenge: No Visibility, No Flexibility
The inherited data centre relied entirely on legacy, non-intelligent PDUs. Furthermore, these devices provided no insight into energy consumption at rack level.
This created two immediate risks.
Firstly, the provider could not accurately track or allocate power usage for billing. Secondly, they had no early-warning indicators to detect irregular power behaviour. As a result it increased the likelihood of unexpected outages and operational risk.
At the same time, the provider needed to work within a limited transition budget. A full rip-and-replace of existing hardware was not an option. Unquestionably any solution had to work with what was already in place, while still supporting a gradual move toward intelligent monitoring.
Why Traditional DCIM Approaches Fell Short
The provider engaged several well-known DCIM and intelligent PDU vendors. Each proposal came with the same requirement: replace all existing PDUs with proprietary hardware to ensure software compatibility.
This approach introduced new problems. Costs escalated quickly. Vendor lock-in became unavoidable. And the idea of managing multiple monitoring tools conflicted with the goal of a single, unified platform.
The provider needed a different approach.
A Vendor-Neutral Path Forward
Advanced Datacentre Systems (ADS) proposed a flexible alternative using its Sensorium™ DCIM platform.
Instead of forcing immediate hardware replacement, ADS focused on extracting value from the existing infrastructure. By retrofitting branch circuit monitoring at the main distribution board, ADS enabled accurate power visibility across the facility without touching the legacy PDUs.
Because Sensorium™ is vendor-neutral, the solution gave the provider complete freedom. The provider could introduce intelligent PDUs over time, from any manufacturer, while continuing to use a single monitoring platform.
The Outcome: Visibility Now, Flexibility for the Future
The solution delivered immediate operational benefits. The provider gained clear insight into power usage, reduced risk through better monitoring, and avoided unnecessary capital expenditure.
Just as importantly, the approach aligned with their long-term strategy. Furthermore, the platform supports future upgrades without locking the business into a single vendor or technology path.
From a commercial perspective, the results were compelling. The ADS solution came in at 50% less cost than competing proposals, while delivering greater flexibility and long-term value.