The data centre sector is booming. New technologies are putting the industry on edge and the power grid is squeaking and creaking due to the huge demand for ever faster, better and, above all, more data.

The technological future of data centres was therefore the focus of the well-attended IT Infra event, on 16 November in Den Bosch.

IT Infra event 2023

Almost 400 interested parties found their way to North Brabant, including some 260 visitors and 125 exhibitors.

Under the inspiring leadership of tech journalist and chairman of the day Robbert Hoeffnagel, who shed light on the impact of AI on data centres in the run-up to the event, Marcel Figee (Datacenter College) and Bastiaan Janssen(Vijfhart IT-opleidingen) opened

Opened the day with a presentation on the challenges around attracting and retaining staff.

An important topic within the sector, because without qualified staff, IT companies in the Netherlands have no right to exist.

New: the elevator pitch

After the opening lecture, the stage filled up with exhibitors for the so-called 'elevator pitch'.

This 'pitch' was organised for the first time during the IT Infra event.

Exhibitors were given exactly 60 seconds to 'pitch' their product or service to the audience and trigger them to visit the stands. This produced many special and sometimes hilarious moments.

Both visitors and exhibitors felt it was a successful experiment that is worth repeating.

Financial benefit

Brendan de Graaf of Lyv Energy Management Solutions then gave a technical presentation on solutions for grid congestion, a well-known problem in the sector with potentially major impact on business continuity.

Through practical examples, De Graaf demonstrated that grid congestion need not endanger power supply.

It is even possible to benefit financially if you anticipate smartly and take the right preventive measures. For example, by storing excess energy and reselling it to third parties.

Blockchain and Web 3.0

In his concluding lecture, trend watcher Hans Timmerman focused on the future of the data centre world. A future in which blockchain technology and Web 3.0 will play a central role.

According to the techno-optimist, these technologies will eventually spark an internet revolution with major implications for data centres.

"The big data centres will continue to exist, but in addition we will soon all have our own mini data centre in our homes."

Were you there and would you like to give your opinion on the event? Then fill in the visitor survey is here.

You can download the presentations of the IT Infra event for free on the event site (for your own use only).

This year's IT Infra event will take place on Thursday 16 November at 1931 Congrescentrum in 's-Hertogenbosch. Put the date in your diary so that you do not miss this interesting day!

The previous edition of the event was a great success. Enjoy a reminder of this vibrant day below.

More information on https://fhi.nl/itinfra/

Register here