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About OI

Sophia Flucker Marco Bertolini Paul Harris Andy Ely David Mason Steve Avis Colin Barksby Beth Whitehead Robert Tozer David Cameron Villie Xeni Rose Moorse Carla Pinto

What makes us different

OI was founded on the belief that there is a better way to achieve data centre optimisation compared to traditional consulting. OI uses collaborative working with a blend of consultancy and training to reduce data centre risk, energy and cost.
  • Traditional Consultancy

  • Traditional Training

  • The OI Blend

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Finding a better way - the OI Blend

Let’s use an energy assessment as an example. Traditionally, a consultant will obtain site temperature and power readings, assess the situation and give recommendations for improvement measures. Typically, there will be one point of contact (most likely management-level) who receives the report. They may not transfer the information it contains effectively with other stakeholders, and once the consultant leaves, so too does their expertise. Now let’s consider training. Traditionally this is completed off-site, it will be non-site specific and aimed at individuals or individual teams with little to no cross-over between subject areas. Duffey & Saull found that failure rate can be expressed in terms of accumulated learning experience of an organisation, and the depth of experience of an individual. When experience is at a minimum, risk is at a maximum. A learning environment in the data centre is therefore imperative, and it must involve every individual from the ground up.
Active learning is learning by doing. When learning is active, we make discoveries and experiment with knowledge first hand, resulting in better recall, understanding and enjoyment. David Kolb said that learning is optimised when we move through the four quadrants of the Experiential Learning Cycle:
• Experience
• Reflection
• Theory
• Practice
The cycle demonstrates how we make connections between what we already know and new content to which we are exposed.
When you overlay the data centre construction industry with this cycle, it is clear that each quadrant is inhabited by different teams with contractual boundaries placed between them. The transfer of technical information and knowledge between these phases is therefore rarely, if ever, perfect. Therefore, to effectively optimise a data centre – for example to reduce risk or energy consumption – there must be learning that involves all teams together, every member of the team (including management), and freedom for knowledge to flow.

How does this look in practice?

OI leads workshops to teach stakeholders the theory behind their systems and explore how they can be optimised, combining our technical expertise with their detailed site knowledge. Participants from different areas work together to identify an action plan of improvements which they take ownership of.

OI enables better communication and knowledge transfer

A by-product of approaching consultancy through learning in an inclusive and collaborative way, is that it breaks down these contractual boundaries. Teams are more aware of each other, feel empowered to take on the task of optimising their facility, and are more comfortable communicating between the different teams. It also helps knowledge flow more freely between quadrants.

Back to that Blend

OI provides training using an active learning approach, consultancy and a blend of both to empower our clients to optimise their data centres. Our services are tailored to each client and facility.

In 2022, MiCiM acquired Operational Intelligence. Our combined experience and expertise give clients access to two Data Centre professional services who specialize in different fields, combining knowledge and abilities to further enhance each individual entity. Our brands are synonymous with complete Data Centre solutions, through design to project completion and aftercare services. We can lead the industry in engineering expertise from strategic sustainable design development following through to implementation.

Where we've worked

CONTACT

info@dc-oi.com

© Operational Intelligence Ltd 2023. ® is a registered trade mark of Operational Intelligence Ltd.
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