DATA4 Group Acquires Stake in Qarnot Computing
Jan. 29 -- DATA4 Group (DATA4), the European data center specialist, and Qarnot computing (Qarnot), the start-up that created the first radiators using computer processors as a heat source, have created a high-performance computing system (HPC: High Performance Computing) that is unique on the market. The system combines the IT power that is concentrated in DATA4 data centers and the decentralised compute power created by the Qarnot digital heaters.
With this ingenious system the two companies are able to offer their clients "greener" and more efficient computing services and subsequently reach new targets.
As a strategic partner, DATA4 has acquired a stake in Qarnot's capital as a majority corporate shareholder. As such, DATA4 will support the start-up's growth in France and Europe. Owned by private equity investment firm, Colony Capital, DATA4 will support Qarnot as it deploys its digital radiators in HEQ, intelligent buildings.
Digital radiators and data centers: a complementary and virtuous system
The start-up, Qarnot, has developed a high-performance computing radiator called "Q.rad", whose heat source consists of computing microprocessors which are embedded inside the device. These microprocessors provide numerous companies that use simulation or digital animation (research centres, banks, animation studios, car manufacturers, etc.) with computing power in cloud mode. The heat that they create as they operate allows offices and private houses to be heated for free in a more environmentally friendly way.
Thanks to this partnership, Qarnot will be able to offer its clients network and storage services in DATA4's ultra-secure data centers. During intensive computing, the load will be distributed across Qarnot's decentralised cloud, "Q.rad".
For peak loads, Qarnot will turn to intensive computing platforms, hosted in the DATA4 data centers.
Finally, DATA4 clients will have easy access to the HPC resources produced by Qarnot's "Q.rad"s.
Software that optimises IT resources to develop the data center
To ensure the optimum management of this hybrid system, Qarnot created "Q.ware", the software component for the management and distribution of the IT resources that it developed. This unique platform allows the optimum distribution of calculations between the centralised IT platform and the decentralised cloud and, as such, ensures the high-quality management of computing capacities in terms of needs. DATA4 will rely on this know-how in order to integrate a software layer in its own hosting offers, increasing automation and flexibility.
One step closer to green computing
Both DATA4 and Qarnot are committed to exploiting the heat created by IT calculations in housing and in data centers.
Thanks to its digital radiator and a decentralised computing system, Qarnot has reduced the carbon footprint of IT calculations by 75% and is already heating over one hundred homes in France.
DATA4 is also committed to numerous projects to exploit the heat produced by its data centers, for example by providing heat for agricultural greenhouses which will be built close to its Marcoussis site to the south of Greater Paris.
Olivier Micheli, CEO of the DATA4 Group, announced: "DATA4 and Qarnot are a perfect match. That's why they decided to join forces and create a solution that is unique to the market and which combines distributed computing capacities and central, ultra-connected hosting nodes. As such we are participating in the transformation of the data center sector, making them faster, more efficient and more environmentally friendly with the aim of providing our clients with the best possible service."
Paul Benoit, CEO of Qarnot computing, added: "DATA4's acquisition of a stake in Qarnot will allow us to increase our growth in France and Europe and promote our "Q.rad" and "Q.ware" technology. Working alongside DATA4 will boost the move to the decentralised cloud and green computing."
About DATA4
Created in 2006 by Colony Capital, DATA4 is the European specialist in ultra-secure data hosting. It owns and operates data centers for French and international companies in the digital, manufacturing, service and banking and insurance sectors, who are seeking to outsource their data. DATA4 currently operates thirteen data centers in France, Italy and Luxembourg, covering a total surface area of 22,000m² of IT rooms and more than 30 MW of IT power, including the Paris campus. DATA4 uses a vertical approach: DATA4 finances, designs, builds and operates its own data centers, retaining 100% ownership. This allows the group to offer flexible data center solutions that can evolve according to customer needs, are high-performance, secure and carrier and cloud neutral. DATA4 has access to unparalleled land and power reserves for future development of its infrastructures.
About Qarnot computing
Created in 2010, Qarnot computing markets Q.rad, the first digital heater which produces free and environmentally friendly heat which is generated by embedded IT processors. Thanks to their integrated sensors, Q.rads, which are present in each room, make for intelligent buildings. This alternative solution allows digital needs to be met and responds to the energy challenges of tomorrow's society.
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Source: DATA4
