Hear how Compass is building faster, smarter and more sustainably:
Transcript:
Host 1 (00:00):
Hi there. Today we dive into the world of data centers and construction innovation with Compass data centers. When you think about data centers, you might picture big, complex buildings, housing, tons of technology, but behind the scenes, something much more revolutionary is happening. Compass Data Centers has turned the traditional construction and data center model on its head by not only innovating the way data centers are designed and built, but by also prioritizing diversity and a bold new approach to sustainability as key to their innovations. Let’s take a closer look at what makes their models so successful. Compass Data Centers set out to be different. Compass Founders believe that data centers could be built better, faster, more sustainably, and less expensively, which was a pretty audacious idea. It’s fair to say. They set out to challenge the status quo and traditional ways of doing things, creating a strategy that would completely reshape the industry.
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Their story began in 2011 with a team re-imagining how data centers could be constructed by pairing industrialized construction practices with a manufacturing style approach to assembling buildings on site. These make it possible to build data centers faster, more efficiently, and with far less environmental impact. And I’m not talking about just minor tweaks here. Compass is making waves by driving real innovation in an industry that hasn’t been known for leading in that area, but that’s not all. They’ve also cultivated a unique, diverse culture within the construction world, which, let’s be honest, hasn’t always been known for inclusivity. Women haven’t historically been at the forefront of construction yet. Compass is flipping the script. It’s not just talk, it’s action. Compass’s delivery and innovation team, senior executives are all women and nearly all of their onsite construction managers globally are women. This is groundbreaking in an industry where gender diversity has often been overlooked, and guess what?
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The results speak for themselves. Performance metrics across the board are outstanding, showcasing the power of diverse perspectives in driving success. Now let’s talk about the impressive list of firsts that Compass has racked up since its inception. These are industry altering innovations. One, compass became the first data center company to use a standardized kit of parts, making major strides in construction and operational efficiencies. This streamlined approach was revolutionary in a sector where customization often slowed things down. Two, they were also the first to use industrialized construction as the foundation for data center buildings, radically improving how they designed and built these massive structures. Three. Here’s a real standout. Compass was the first to deliver data center facilities in just six months. A timeline that was unheard of back then. Talk about breaking speed records and the first company to modularize it. Capacity, delivering data centers in chunks that could be customized.
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Adding flexibility to meet client needs without compromising on speed. Five, sustainability. They’re leading in that arena too, using green concrete to lower their carbon footprint. And right from the start, compass knew the water intensive cooling practices in place at the time were not best for the environment. Compass only cooled using air, no water, so that their operations wouldn’t be a burden on local water supplies. Six. They also built onsite concrete batch facilities to speed up delivery time, reduce emissions, and improve community safety. Something that’s virtually unheard of in the industry. Seven, they were the first to use fiber reinforcement instead of traditional rebar, improving the durability and speed of construction while also making things more sustainable. Eight, they even tackled sustainability in their backup power systems by using HVO biodiesel for generators, drastically reducing emissions in a critical part of data center operations. Nine. Then they innovated in roofing using snail roofing to reduce urban heat islands and bring new sustainability and operational benefits to the table 10.
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On top of that, they adopted cutting edge safety practices, including a safety and wellness program for frontline supervisors called Frontliners a first in the industry. Safety isn’t just a box to check. It’s integrated into their model, but it doesn’t stop there. Compass is all about pushing the envelope. They’re the first to drive co-innovation through collaboration with supply chain partners resulting in new products for cooling and power systems. They’re also leading the way with AI and predictive maintenance to increase uptime, boost safety, lengthen equipment life, and reduce environmental impact. The bottom line compasses truly a case study in how culture and innovation can work hand in hand to create something extraordinary. The company’s relentless pursuit of better solutions is matched only by their commitment to diversity, which is bringing fresh ideas and different perspectives to an industry that was once set in its ways. And so what does the future hold with such a legacy of firsts? It’s exciting to imagine what’s next for Compass Data Centers. If history is any indication, we can expect even more industry changing innovations, not only in data centers, but in construction at large. So whether you’re in the tech world, the construction industry, or just someone interested in how businesses can innovate and break barriers, compass Data Centers is a company to watch. Thanks for tuning in today. And if you’d like to learn more about Compass Data Centers and their approach to innovation and diversity, check out their website @ compassdatacenters.com.
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