As AI infrastructure grows in scale and complexity, building the data center is only part of the challenge. Operating and maintaining that infrastructure reliably for decades requires an entirely different approach, especially as campuses grow larger and power and cooling systems become increasingly interconnected.
In this episode of Not Your Father’s Data Center Podcast, Raymond Hawkins sits down with Jerome Soltani, Global Head of Services at Schneider Electric, to explore how Compass and Schneider Electric are rethinking data center maintenance for the AI era. Their partnership spans critical power infrastructure, data center operations, predictive maintenance and the co-development of new solutions designed to help Compass operate more efficiently at scale.
Drawing on nearly 20 years at Schneider Electric and extensive experience leading its services organization, Jerome explains why the industry is moving beyond traditional calendar-based maintenance toward a predictive model powered by connected equipment, data, remote monitoring and AI. The conversation explores the shift from maintaining individual assets to managing the performance of the entire data center system, along with the role technology and workforce development will play as AI infrastructure continues to scale.
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Key Takeaways
- Data center maintenance is becoming predictive. Connected equipment, remote monitoring, data and AI are helping operators move beyond calendar-based maintenance to identify potential issues before failures occur.
- Scale requires a different operating model. Schneider Electric currently supports Compass across six North American sites and more than 1,200 power centers, making traditional reactive and preventive maintenance increasingly difficult to scale.
- The system matters as much as the individual asset. Power, cooling and other critical infrastructure are increasingly interconnected. Understanding how the complete system performs can improve reliability, resiliency and efficiency.
- Predictive maintenance can improve efficiency and reduce costs. Schneider Electric estimates that implementing a connected predictive environment from the beginning can generate 20% in operating expense savings over five years.
- Technology can help address the skilled workforce challenge. Predictive analytics allow technicians to focus their time where it matters most while Compass and Schneider Electric continue investing in programs that help develop the next generation of technical talent.
- Partnership drives innovation beyond maintenance. Compass and Schneider Electric have also co-developed factory-built white space infrastructure that integrates critical systems and can accelerate white space delivery by up to three months.
About the Guest
Jerome Soltani, Global Head of Services, Schneider Electric
Jerome Soltani is Global Head of Services at Schneider Electric, where he leads the company’s global services organization supporting critical infrastructure and customers around the world. During nearly two decades with Schneider Electric, Jerome has held leadership roles spanning renewable energy, strategic accounts and field services in Europe and the United States.
Before taking on his current global role, Jerome led Schneider Electric’s services business in the United States, where he helped double the size of both the business and its team over seven years. His work has focused on evolving services beyond individual equipment maintenance toward connected, predictive and system-level approaches designed to improve reliability, efficiency and customer outcomes.