Nottingham software firm set to go global with new product

A Nottingham firm which is part of the UK’s multi-billion-pound data centre industry has launched its latest product in Monaco.

EkkoSense, based at the University of Nottingham Innovation Park (UNIP), produces cloud software that monitors the efficiency of data centres – buildings or spaces that house IT infrastructure and equipment.

EkkoSense’s systems help customers monitor, manage and optimise data centre energy usage, identifying critical reliability and optimisation issues such as overheating and overcooling.

Thermal issues typically account for up to 30% of data centre outages and the company estimates that its EkkoSoft Critical software has already saved customers over £2m in energy costs through its distinctive software-led thermal optimisation approach.

EkkoSense was founded in 2013 by Dean Boyle and Dr Stuart Redshaw. In the past six years the company has grown quickly, with EkkoSoft Critical proving an increasingly smart and disruptive alternative to traditional data centre infrastructure management approaches.

Boyle said: “I’m really proud of how far we’ve come. What began as just the two of us is now a 40-strong team competing directly with some of the world’s largest data centre specialists.

“These are multi-billion-pound global businesses and here we are, in an innovation park in Nottingham, competing and winning business, and that’s down to the calibre of our people and the quality of the systems we produce.”

Clients include some of the largest data centre co-location, enterprise and infrastructure companies in the world.

The UK data centre industry is currently estimated to be worth $105bn, with this expected to grow to more than $135bn by 2025.

“With the phenomenal growth in the demand for cloud-based systems it’s an industry that is showing no signs of slowing down. It’s only going to go one way, and it’s exciting to be part of such huge growth,” said Dean.

The company’s latest software release has just been launched at the Datacloud Global Congress in Monaco, the biggest data centre conference in Europe.

Boyle said: “It’s a really important step for us as it helps cement our position as an important player on the global stage. We already have clients in the US, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Paris, and we want to continue to expand internationally.”

Despite this global focus the company is proud of its Nottingham roots and puts much of its success down to the opportunities that have arisen due to being located within UNIP.

Boyle added: “It’s a fantastic place to work, with such a rich pool of talent. Many of our staff began their career with us as interns. We have experts in thermo-dynamics, mechanical and electrical engineering, software and hardware engineers, and we continue to work closely with PhD students.

“It’s also great to be located alongside so many other innovative businesses, and the campus itself is a great place for our customers to visit. They really like the fact that we have such a strong link with education.”

Dr Mark Tock, UNIP operations director, said: “It’s been fascinating to watch EkkoSense grow. We’re very proud of their success and the part that UNIP has played in that.

“Their story very clearly demonstrates the benefits of bringing together high-level expertise with entrepreneurialism, something which this unique site offers all of its tenants.”