Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a branch of fluid dynamics that is used to calculate airflow and temperature distribution in a given space. The value of CFD comes from creating a virtual prototype that accurately predicts the behavior of a real system. It allows engineers and managers to gain insight into problems and devise solutions at the lowest possible cost, without having to deploy directly into a production facility.
To read more on this topic:
https://www.futurefacilities.com/resources/whitepapers/computational-fluid-dynamics-monitoring/
https://www.futurefacilities.com/resources/videos/about-us/what-is-engineering-simulation-1/
The solve time is dependent on the complexity and the size of the model. We have worked on ways to accelerate solve time, including the use of unstructured mesh and HPC solving using cluster solvers.
The value of CFD cannot be understated. When making critical decisions on your data center power and cooling infrastructure, CFD simulation can provide you with answers that you can make sound decisions on. The trade-off on the solve time is far less impactful compared to making the wrong decision.
For engineering consultants and designers, we recommend 6SigmaRoom, the industry’s leading data center CFD simulation software, or 6SigmaRoomLite, the ideal entry-level tool for early data center design.
For companies that supply equipment such as racks, power and cooling units to data centers, we recommend a combination of 6SigmaRack and 6SigmaRoom.
For data center owner-operators, we suggest implementing the 6Sigma Digital Twin, comprising of 6SigmaAccess, 6SigmaRoom and 6SigmaGateway.
Yes, 6SigmaRoom can integrate with various tool sets such as DCIM, SNMP, Spreadsheets, MATLAB and C++. Contact us to learn more about our current integrations.
We do not provide any hardware for monitoring temperature, power or other metrics in a data center. However, we can integrate with a system that does collect this type of data. Please see our module page or contact us to learn about our current integrations.
There are various ways to get started with the software. You can employ our consulting services to build the model for you or take our training classes to learn how to build the model on your own.
Yes. Depending on your project needs and budget, we offer tiered consulting services. To learn more about our delivery, please see our services page.
Yes, we offer various licensing options, including short-term, yearly and perpetual license options. Please contact our sales team for more information.
Yes, we offer a 30-day free trial for 6SigmaRoom. However, if you are looking to bring in our software for operations, please contact our sales team for more details on how this trial can work for you.
You do not need any prior experience in CFD to get started with 6SigmaRoom. 6SigmaRoom is designed to effortlessly tackle the most difficult modeling problems in data centers. It has been designed from the ground up to address the needs of engineers with the help of an intuitive GUI, extensive hardware libraries and intelligent modeling objects.
Yes, our software is 3D in nature. To see more, explore our videos here.
The use of our software does not require any experience in CFD to operate. However, in cases where you do not have the expertise or time to manage the model, we can provide the required support. We also have several partners that can provide the modeling support you require.
We verify the numerics of the software on a continuous basis. This is done at both the modeling and solver level.
You can read more about this here: https://www.futurefacilities.com/resources/whitepapers/how-accurate-is-6sigmadcx/
If you have an existing DCIM solution, we can bring in asset and live data through 6SigmaGateway. This operation is performed in 6SigmaRoom. Additionally, we can also send back temperature and cooling data to your DCIM solution to enhance the planning process.
If you do not have a DCIM solution, you can use 6SigmaAccess, a browser-based planning software, to update the model.
6SigmaRoom can be employed across the entire life of the data center—from design to operations. In data center operations, 6SigmaRoom can be used with another DCIM solution or with our planning software 6SigmaAccess.
We have several pricing options to help fit your requirements. You can contact our sales team to request more information.
It depends on the type and scope of the project that the software is used for. Typically, we see that most of our customers start to see return on investment in three to six months.
The value of simulation is that it can predict the impact of any change you may want to make to a new or existing design. Implementing CFD simulation early in the process can prevent expensive changes in the actual facility down the road.
We mainly provide on-premise solutions that run behind a company’s firewall. However, with our new architecture, we can deploy the central database on the cloud and have our client and server connect to this database. For more details, please contact our sales team.
Yes, we have a partnership with Rescale (www.rescale.com) that allows you to solve your models using Rescale’s on-demand, powerful hardware.
Learn more here:
https://blog.rescale.com/rescale-saves-h-f-lenz-company-days-of-compute-time/
Yes, we have Windows and Linux (LSF) based cluster solver options.
Our solution’s utility spans across the entire data center supply chain—from designers to operators, including all types of data centers (enterprise, co-lo and hyperscale). Every owner-operator faces space, power and cooling issues regardless of the “type” of data center.
Yes! 6SigmaAccess is our browser-based, capacity planning software that allows IT hardware planners to make IT changes and pass those changes to the 6SigmaRoom models. To learn more about our operational software, please visit:
We have three main offices, with locations in the US, Japan and our HQ in the UK. We also have several channel partners/distributors around the world. Please see our locations here.
Yes, we are part of the NSF-ES2, which brings together industry experts and people from academia to further research in cooling for data centers.
Additionally, we also work with ASHRAE and The Green Grid to help drive standards in CFD modeling.
DCIM solutions are extremely valuable as they address the need to consolidate information, such as assets, tickets and live data, into a single platform. However, DCIM tools lack the ability to model or simulate the behavior of the data center, which is critical for capacity planning.
Future Facilities’ core technology is built on a CFD engine. However, unlike other companies, we have a suite of products that we have developed for the entire data center supply chain.
Tracking power and data is important in data center operations. However, monitoring will only tell you what is currently happening in the data center, but not why it is happening. Simulation can identify the root cause of an issue and allow you to plan for the future state of your data center.
https://www.futurefacilities.com/resources/whitepapers/computational-fluid-dynamics-monitoring/
Yes, you can easily integrate your data with 6SigmaRoom. Please see our complete list of integrations here.
Yes. The core idea behind digital twin technology is that it can help predict the outcome of any change. Engineering simulation allows you to forecast layout, power and cooling needs for your facility.
To read more about this topic: https://www.futurefacilities.com/blog/is-successful-capacity-planning-virtually-impossible/
Yes! 6SigmaRoom can model the impact of increasing air temperatures in your data center without having to put any of your IT equipment at risk. The 6Sigma Digital Twin allows you to safely consider the effect of altering any parameter in the facility in a virtual environment.
You can read the case study that details Citi’s use of the 6Sigma Digital Twin to increase its energy efficiency here.
6SigmaPower is a module within 6SigmaRoom that allows you to map out the entire power network of your data center. You can visualize power usage, breaker overloads and run power failure scenarios.
Learn more here: https://www.futurefacilities.com/resources/videos/products/the-power-module/
6SigmaRoom has several features that can be used to replicate VFDs in data centers. You can set up control systems for individual cooling units or for many clusters of units. To learn more, please contact us and schedule a demo at info@futurefacilities.com and we’ll be more than happy to illustrate how this works.
Yes! You can find our case studies here:
https://www.futurefacilities.com/resources/case-studies/
The digital twin concept can be extended beyond thermal management issues. Even if you don’t have thermal issues, it is a good practice to safeguard your data center from future issues by quantifying the impact of changes. Our line of products can also be used for energy savings or external airflow design.
You can read more about how CitiGroup used 6SigmaRoom to save energy here:
https://www.futurefacilities.com/resources/case-studies/
Yes! Please contact us here and we would be more than happy to make the introduction.
