Startup Story
Please introduce us to DC Connect!
DC Smarter is an IT infrastructure management company founded by Jörg Hesselink and Ismar Efendic, which uses AI, AR and digital twins to optimise data centre operations. Our company is headquartered in Saarland, the southwestern part of Germany, with a core team of 11 people, supported by a comprehensive network of dedicated subject matter experts.
We have developed the software DC Vision® to optimise infrastructure management in data centres. Using a combination of augmented reality and artificial intelligence, the components of all racks in a data center are recorded and mapped in a digital twin. The seamless integration of the software into existing infrastructure management solutions and numerous interfaces ensure efficient implementation for customers.
Benefits and applications of the solutions are manifold, let us just focus on two areas:
Asset inventory management & compliance
Customers – especially those considered critical infrastructure – need to adhere to strict regulations. Accurate and up-to-date documentation of IT assets is one of the core tasks in directives such as NIS 2, Critical Entities Resilience (CER), or the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA).
Remote learning & support
The complexity of data centres as well as the number of components is constantly growing. Even well-trained IT staff are not familiar with every single hardware component. DC Vision enables the team in the data centre to directly connect to experts remotely or view additional information through the digital twin.
In addition to our software solutions, we offer multiple services. We strategically plan your IT asset management solution according to your individual requirements, develop a tailor-made system design, and configure it precisely within the defined project framework. Especially for small and medium sized companies, we offer inventory as a service with our experts taking over the entire documentation process.
So far, our customers are mainly to be found in Europe. However, we see a worldwide demand for our solution, so we are definitely addressing the global market.
What was the inspiration for setting up DC Connect?
Both our founders have both been active in the IT and data centre industry for a very long time and therefore know first-hand the challenges involved in operating a data centre as the heart of digitalisation. Protecting this infrastructure in the long term is a key driver for us. As part of a joint project, we discussed how innovative technologies could simplify many processes in data centres and enhance their security at the same time. Just like that, the idea for DC Smarter was born! With our software solution, users reliably know where their IT components are located. In case of an emergency, they know exactly where to head to. If there is no expert on site who is familiar with the specific system, DC Vision enables them to easily work with an expert remotely. Our software, which is based on the principle of a digital twin, makes the operation of data centres simpler, more secure and more efficient in the long term.
What makes DC Smarter unique? How do you intend to differentiate yourselves from your competition?
Actually, our DC Vision® software does not compete with any solution currently available on the market! What’s more, it can be integrated into existing data center infrastructure management (DCIM) and IT asset management (ITAM) solutions, thereby simplifying inventory, maintenance, and security. One specific application example is the regular updating of documentation in data centres. Our technology utilises a digital twin and augmented reality, and the application is integrated directly into workflows. It ensures that the urgently required detailed information about the hardware is always up to date and, at the same time, halves the time required for data maintenance.
Tell us about your relationship with the telecoms sector
The telecom sector itself is actually a very interesting market for us – telcos with a large base of installed IT assets substantially benefit from our DC Vision® software. Plus, their remote support can be significantly optimised with our solutions.
For us, it is the IT asset management providers who are the main route to entering the telecom sector. As we add value to IT asset management and DCIM solutions, we already rely on an excellent and constantly growing partner network. These partnerships open many doors, especially to telecommunications providers, and we are seeing enormous growth here.
Tell us about your development so far and your funding background
In 2023, DC Smarter was selected by German Accelerator to participate in the South America Kickstart program, as well as in the Singapore (AI) Market Discovery Class 2023-4 and the Asia Market Discovery Class 2023-4. German Accelerator supports German startups in scaling globally through its extensive network and expert mentorship. Since 2012, it has nurtured over 1,000 startups, aiding them in raising more than $16.7 billion in funding. Being part of this mentorship and networking programs has been a significant milestone on our way to scaling DC Smarter globally.
What does the future hold for DC Connect?
In five years, we want to be the global market leader for software solutions dedicated to technicians in the data center and telecommunication industry. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, our current focus is on expanding our partner network and continuing to internationalise at the same time.
Join DC Connect and more than 50 innovative start-ups at this year’s Connected Germany conference live in Munich! Get your ticket now!
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