Announcing Release 6 of 6SigmaDC: Future Facilities Simulation Software Maximise

s Data Centre Space, Power and Cooling Utilisation

6Sigma DC Release 6 enables better capacity planning and management of data cent
re space, power and cooling resources, through simulation, predictive modelling
and real time view of the critical environment.
London, UK, October 19, 2010 -- Future Facilities breaks new ground with the int
roduction of Release 6 of its 6SigmaDC ( http://www.futurefacilities.com/softwar
e/6SigmaDCOverview.htm ) data centre design and operations software suite. Hass
an Moezzi, CEO, Future Facilities said, "Release 6 enables better management of
data centre design, cabinet layout and equipment updates, so that physical const
raints and efficiency can be maximised and the lifecycle of critical facilities
extended. 6SigmaDC ensures that IT equipment can be deployed with full confidenc
e that power, cooling, rack space and connectivity requirements can all be met."
Release 6 of 6SigmaDC greatly simplifies the task of modelling complex facilitie
s, as well as providing a broader toolset for on-going data centre management. I
n addition, software tools for IT equipment design (6SigmaET) have been further
developed so that the detailed models produced by the application can also be us
ed at room scale to simulate and manage airflow in racks and rows.
The 6SigmaDC software suite comprises a range of applications including 6SigmaRa
ck, ( http://www.futurefacilities.com/software/6SigmaRack.htm ) 6SigmaRoom ( htt
p://www.futurefacilities.com/software/6SigmaRoom.htm ) and 6SigmaFM ( http://www
.futurefacilities.com/software/6SigmaFM.htm ). The software is used to develop a
detailed 3-dimensional Virtual Facility©, within which power usage, equipment conf
igurations, thermal behaviours and other important design variables can be accur
ately modelled and evaluated before physical implementation.
Release 6 Enables Better Capacity Realisation, Risk Free:
Important new features of 6SigmaDC Release 6 include 6SigmaExchange, which adds
the capability to integrate any Data Centre Integrated Management (DCIM) applica
tion, monitoring software, and/ or building management system (BMS) tool with th
e Virtual Facility. This effectively provides a 'live' model and, for the first
time, engineering/ facilities can work side-by-side with IT operations to manage
the data centre as a single, integrated system.
The 6SigmaITM and 6SigmaFM tools also make it easy to investigate install reques
ts that may have previously exceeded the blanket design limits of the facility.
With comprehensive analysis tools and extension of the cooling capacity tests to
include zonal limits, it is now possible to allow for more flexible installatio
n. Adjusting cooling limits and load capacity on a case-by-case basis can allow
better utilisation of physical capacities without compromising IT equipment or o
perational integrity.
Pro-active airflow and cooling management is made easier and more practical, all
owing data centre managers to control cooling system efficiency, ensure IT avail
ability, reduce annual operating costs and realise the full design capacity of t
he facility.
The 6SigmaITM interface has been remodelled and extended to make it easy for IT
professionals to view the facility and propose changes to the IT configuration.
These changes can now be based on quantitative data about the facility including
space, power, cooling, network and weight considerations - all of which are ava
ilable to view at the click of a button.
More Detailed IT Equipment Design with 6SigmaET:
The second major release of 6SigmaET ( http://www.futurefacilities.com/software/
6SigmaET.htm ) adds more functionality to the state of the art CFD simulation to
ol for designing and packaging electronic components and systems. A key feature
enables the detailed models constructed with 6SigmaET to be imported directly in
to 6SigmaRack for cabinet configuration and updates. This creates a more realist
ic and therefore accurate model for room scale simulations, enabling better plac
ement and utilisation of rack capacity and cooling provision.
The new release also allows for more complex thermal modelling including liquid
cooling components such as pumps, ducts and pipe work. More detailed modelling i
s enabled through the addition of 2R and Detailed model options. In addition, us
ers can opt to model using a simple average PCB or more complex, multi layer sub
strates which can be refined and upgraded as the design progresses.
Modelling Enhancements Bring the Virtual Facility Even Closer to Real Life:
Specific improvements have also been made to address ease of use, making the mod
elling process more straightforward. 6SigmaRoom now supports far more detailed i
nternal ACU modelling, bringing far more realistic airflow characteristics to th
e Virtual Facility models. Ducts with Circular or rectangular cross-sections ar
e now simple to include, even when flow is required inside them. These ducts hav
e the full capability of the originals, allowing vents, transition pieces and br
anches to be added as required.
The inclusion of new objects, such as internal walls, lights on walls, rotated r
aised floors and roof panels, allows the user to create a Virtual Facility model
that is more representative of real life than ever before.
6SigmaDC's huge library of detailed vendor specific equipment and cabinet models
has been further enhanced by the introduction of equipment catalogues. Cabinets
can now be made up from a catalogue of readymade parts, bringing consistency an
d variety to the user in a far simpler package.
The 6SigmaNetwork model now allows the 6SigmaFM model to include the full connec
tivity of the IP network, and a new auto-routing feature decides the best route
for new cables. To learn more about Release 6 of 6SigmaDC and how it can help in
crease data centre availability and efficiency please call the company on 0207 8
40 9540 or visit http://www.futurefacilities.com.
About Future Facilities:
Future Facilities (http://www.futurefacilities.com) is a leading provider of pow
erful design, optimization and management software for mission critical faciliti
es and data centers. The companyâ s solutions are applied to ensure all capacity, eff
iciency and reliability criteria are met throughout all phases of the facility l
ifecycle.
For Further Information:
Hassan Moezzi
Future Facilities Limited
hassan.moezzi@FutureFacilities.com
+44 (0) 20 7840 9540
http://www.futurefacilities.com
Press & Media Contact:
Damien Wells, Director
SPA Communications Limited
1 - 3 Lime Hill Road
Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1LJ, United Kingdom
+44 (0) 7900 302102
dwells@spacomms.co.uk
http://www.spacomms.co.uk