The companies can look back on a proven partnership in the field of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). With the announced further development of their cooperation, both are aiming to expand their activities in data center infrastructure. The innovative, modular solutions, which guarantee safety and high availability, will be used particularly in regions such as North and South America, Asia and Europe.

This strategic partnership creates a comprehensive portfolio of technical solutions and services, such as UPS systems, secure edge data centers with integrated fire protection, edge data centers as well as scalable modular data centers and container solutions for power supply.

With their global networks of sales, engineering and service specialists, both ABB and Rittal support the joint strategic approach to planning and implementing modern data centers, such as edge computing data centers.

The prefabricated, robust data centre solutions - such as the Secure Edge Data Center (SEDC) presented at the Hannover Messe in collaboration with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) - are specially designed for the digitalization of production processes in harsh industrial environments. These solutions enable the implementation of IT systems close to machines and plants, which are characterized in particular by high security and reliability as well as low network latency.

"Our customers benefit from the expansion of our partnership with ABB by optimally complementing the expertise of two global technology leaders. Our turnkey and field-proven solutions support companies in providing the necessary IT infrastructure for secure edge computing or other smart applications and thus in realizing the added value of digitization in industry," says Andreas Keiger, Executive Vice President of the Global Business Unit IT at Rittal.

Lara Cortinovis, Global Product Group Manager Power Protection at ABB

"ABB has long been a reliable partner for Rittal when it comes to UPS systems and power supply solutions. This trusting cooperation has led us to agree to expand the existing partnership and extend it internationally, with the aim of realizing growth opportunities. ABB will not only act as a supplier of components and systems, but will also be involved locally to strengthen both sales and service offerings in the local markets," adds Lara Cortinovis, Global Product Group Manager Power Protection at ABB.

Decentralized data processing enters a new era

Modern edge data centers are essential for data-driven economic systems in which the Internet of Things generates enormous amounts of data. An edge data center brings the IT infrastructure closer to the point of data generation, resulting in lower network latency with increased security and reliability of the data processing operations required for many Industry 4.0 scenarios.

Proven success in digitization

Joint IT reference projects include critical infrastructures, such as the implementation of a new data center for a European airport.

The Lefdal Mine Datacenter project is said to be one of the most efficient, environmentally friendly and secure colocation data centers in Europe. The data center was built in a disused Olivine mine in Norway and offers an IT capacity of over 200 MW in the first expansion phase. The two partners are working hand in hand to offer a turnkey and scalable IT infrastructure for flexible use of IT systems. kp