Idealem Solutions Group

The data center industry faces significant headwinds, and not all of them can be solved by throwing money at the problem. Among these, energy is by far the most critical—and it will impact everyone. Simply put, there’s not enough to go around. Take Northern Virginia, often regarded as the global “capital” of data centers. Reports suggest energy costs in the region could soar by as much as 70% in the coming years due to ever-increasing electrical demand. Yet, this critical issue isn’t getting the attention it deserves. That’s why I found this article on the world’s first “grid-scale” fusion plant so compelling. If this technology can operate as intended—and scale—it could be a game-changer. Its power density opens up the possibility for data center providers to build their own fusion plants on-site, reducing dependency on the grid and easing pressure on local communities. I’m hopeful this technology will succeed at scale. It needs to. Both fusion and fission must advance and scale if we’re to meet the growing energy demands of data centers and the broader electrification of our lives.

The last in the short series of our thoughts on the coming quantum wave: Part 4: Wrapping Up: Staying Ahead of the Curve in a Disruptive Era Disruption is inevitable, but how you respond determines your success. Quantum computing, AI, and other emerging technologies will continue to challenge the status quo. The companies that adapt and anticipate these changes will lead the way, while those that resist may fall behind. But how do you ensure your business stays ahead? The key lies in being proactive, not reactive. The businesses that survived—and thrived—during the cloud revolution were the ones that embraced it early, investing in new skills and infrastructure before their competitors. The same mindset applies to quantum disruption and beyond. Staying ahead means building a culture of innovation and embracing change as an opportunity, not a threat. Embrace a forward-looking strategy Your roadmap should include monitoring technological trends, investing in future-proof technologies, and staying flexible. And don’t go it alone. Make sure you surround yourself with trusted advisors, futurists, and technologists who can see over the horizon and help chart the right path for your business. Whether it's through partnerships, consulting, or bringing the right expertise in-house, having the right guidance will give you an edge in navigating disruption. But it’s not just about technology—people matter too. Ensure your teams are empowered with the knowledge and tools to innovate. A future-ready workforce is adaptable, equipped with the skills to navigate and leverage new technologies. Creating a learning culture within your organization will help you stay competitive in a world where change is constant. Comment below if you have thoughts on how businesses can stay ahead in this disruptive era. Let’s keep the conversation going—disruption is inevitable, but so is opportunity! #quantumcomputing #ai #datacenters #energy #humanity #techdisruption

Part 3 of our discussion on the coming quantum wave: How Businesses Should Prepare for the Quantum Leap Quantum disruption is no longer a distant possibility—it’s rapidly approaching. We are only a few years away from seeing quantum computers capable of shattering the encryption that underpins the modern digital world. What does that mean for businesses? It means we need to prepare now, or risk being left behind in a post-quantum world. The first step is to understand your digital vulnerability. Quantum computers will have the ability to break traditional encryption methods in a fraction of the time. This threatens critical business data, intellectual property, and customer information. Companies need to start thinking about quantum-resistant cryptography and future-proofing their digital assets. Next, it’s time to get strategic. Businesses should explore collaborations with quantum computing experts, investing in R&D, and keeping a close eye on emerging quantum technologies. Leading companies like IBM, Google, and Microsoft are already making strides in developing quantum-safe solutions. The companies that win tomorrow will be those that start their quantum readiness today. Finally, you need to build resilience into your organization. Investing in employee training, upgrading your infrastructure, and creating adaptive security protocols will help your business weather the disruption. This is no different from the shift to cloud computing—those that prepared early reaped the benefits, while others struggled to catch up. Comment below and stay tuned for Part 4, where we’ll discuss how to stay ahead of the curve in a disruptive era and make quantum your ally, not your adversary!

TL;DR - Even Google doesn't have access to enough resources to model the next generation quantum processors. Not schooled up on how quantum computing is fundamentally different than transistor-gate logic? This news article explains the nuances (with graphs!) as well as providing the headline news that Google is leveraging Nvidia built-and-operated facilities to advance their quantum designs. https://lnkd.in/emuJ46di

Two weeks ago at the DCD conference, we overheard something fairly shocking and telling that others didn't pick up on: "... if the demand is real." This statement was publicly raised by an executive of a large construction firm in the data center space. Stepping back and looking at this all at a high level, it doesn't seem like we have the consumer "killer app" of AI. Expanding to the enterprise space, AI not yet reached "must have" status for firms as AI requires significant customization in order to be effective within a given business. Now, there are pockets where the utility has been clearly identified (and being leveraged) but not at an industry-changing scale. Where do you sit on this question? Do you feel the demand is real, or is this all speculative? #speculation #ai #datacenter #construction #missioncritical

Following up with part 2 (of 4 parts) of some short thoughts on Cloud to Quantum: A Journey Through Disruption and Opportunity; Part 2: Current Innovations That Hint at a Quantum Disruption Two years ago, I toured Google’s quantum research center, and it was quantum mecca for a geek like me. The technology I saw there was mind-blowing, and it felt like standing at the edge of the future. I had a long conversation with one of the researchers, and of course, I had to ask, “When can I expect to have a general-purpose quantum computer (you know, with a keyboard, mouse, and display)?” Their answer shocked me: 7 to 8 years. That means… We’re only 5 years away from one of the most groundbreaking and earth-shattering technological disruptions the world has ever seen. Think about how much we rely on the digital world—our bank accounts, email, encryption, cell phones. All of it is built on the foundations of classical computing and encryption. With quantum advancements, accessing that information could become trivially easy, especially for bad actors with nefarious purposes. Have you ever seen the movie Sneakers with Robert Redford? There’s a little black box that acts as a universal decryption device. Guess what? That future isn’t so far off anymore. That fiction is starting to become non-fiction! Comment below and stay tuned for Part 3, where I’ll discuss how businesses should prepare for the coming quantum leap and how to safeguard against the disruption ahead! #quantumcomputing #futurist #banking #encryption #computersecurity

In order to know where you're going, you need to know where you came from. Over 30 years ago, on a whim, I visited the University of Maine with my parents one year while we were up here for summer vacation. I was given a personal impromptu tour from the then-chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, John Field. A year later, I received a simple check-in note from him to see how I was doing and how high school was going. He was under no obligation to do so, but such a small thing has a huge impact to show that he (and Maine) cared about students - even those that might not choose to attend. Ever since, I've been tied to UMaine: as an undergrad student, as a professional when I built the University's first supercomputer, and as a 15+ year visiting board member giving counsel on what the University needs to do to prepare their students for the workplace. The college of my heart, always!

At DCD earlier last week, a number of folks were asking about our perspectives on AI, whether it's a bubble, or if there is something else just over the horizon that no one else is paying attention to. Simply put: yes - there's a wrecking ball coming. I present to you the first of a short four-part article that was borne from a conversation with both Joel E. W. at Southwire Company and Simon Allen: From Cloud to Quantum: A Journey Through Disruption and Opportunity Part 1: Looking back: The rapid evolution of cloud technology. Nearly all technology cycles are predictable. We start with something giant—think the first computer, ENIAC, the size of a building! Then, technology shrinks: the size of a car, a fridge, a microwave, and finally a desktop PC. As we miniaturize, the next step is either to combine more units in parallel and/or squeeze more power into the same space. Desktop computers begat cluster computers—groups of computers running parallel workloads. These clusters grew into GIANT clusters. Now, clusters of clusters form “The Cloud”. The tech itself isn't new; it’s the scale of the assembly and the software that makes them work together in harmony. In the last 20 years, computing has accelerated incredibly. From the first desktop computers in the early 80s to gigawatt-scale data center campuses today, we’ve outpaced Moore’s Law. By combining advancements in transistor technology and networked computing, we’ve achieved a whole greater than the sum of its parts. The timeline from the first transistor (1947) to the first microcontroller (a 24-year gap), and then to the first desktop computer (10 years later), shows us how fast technology evolves. But here's the exciting part: The first "transistor" of quantum computing already exists, as does the parallel to the first microcontroller. The next leap is incredibly close. Make sure to comment below and stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll explore how close we are to the first general-purpose quantum computer and the major disruption it will bring!

This week, we launched the new branding for ISG and feedback has been pretty amazing. Many people loved the look of the logo, and had genuine questions on the meaning of the Venn diagram: Most people have different perspectives on what services we offer - some know us as data center (tech) experts, others as a group that teaches firms how to build incredible teams to tackle the stickiest problems, and others know us for our ability to design and deliver workspaces that function for the individuals. We like to operate at the center of all of it: innovating in tech, empowering its people, and optimizing how they work.

What a great DCD>Academy Virginia show, it's almost overwhelming the amount of great things that I experienced! Yesterday, I had a great chat with Howard and David at Belimo. They've got some pretty incredible tech on self-regulating water valves with temperature feedback sensors, so if you're looking to implement liquid cooled solutions AND save energy, you need this tech! #dcdvirginia #datacenterenergy