7x24 Exchange New York Metro Chapter
Leading the Way
by Robert D. Greenberg, AICP
“We’re the locally based chapter of the National 7x24 Exchange organization,” states Brian Schafer, Director of Business Development for Highland Associates, who has served as Chapter President for the past six years. “In 2001, we recognized the tremendous volume of mission critical projects that were under development and realized that we needed to share knowledge and ideas among the Mission Critical professionals in our region. We formed a core group of experts to shape the mission and methodology we needed to provide an educational forum bringing together Information Services, Technology and Facilities, Engineering, and Real Estate organizations to promote better understanding of the design, implementation and management issues involved in achieving high levels of uninterrupted infrastructure support.” The organization has also established a Scholarship Fund to promote and support the ongoing educational needs of the mission critical industry.
The Board of Directors includes President, Brian Schafer/Highland Associates, Bill Beck/Credit Suisse, Michael Butkiewicz/Goldman Sachs, Sudhir Kalra/ Morgan Stanley, Chris Muller/Pershing, Chairman Joe Ryan Sabey Data Centers, Lou Weiss/WFM Project & Construction Associates, Michael Carron/The TLM Group LLC and Spencer Jurman of Jones Lange LaSalle.
Our Mission
The 7x24 Exchange is the leading knowledge exchange for those who design, build, use and maintain mission-critical enterprise information infrastructures and 7x24 Exchange’s goal is to improve end-to-end reliability by promoting dialogue among these groups. In order to achieve this goal the organization seeks to become the largest organization of its type with a target membership market share of 25% or more among the top 1,000 organizations where end-to-end reliability is critical to the organization’s mission/operation. 7x24 strives to be recognized as the most reliable, independent conduit to ideas, opinions and information on these issues and across the industry.
The typical members are end users with a majority drawn from the financial services, real estate and co-location companies and the consultants, contractors and vendors who support these entities. The organization is comprised of four membership types:
• Corporate End Users
• Consultants
• Students/Academics – focused in the areas of IT, telecom, electrical and/or mechanical engineering
• Vendors - companies that sell uninterruptible products or services
Educational and Networking Programs
“We have two or three educational program events each year plus our annual golf outing and holiday event,” explains Schafer. “The educational forums are typically hosted by at one of the end users’ facilities and include a panel discussion with multiple speakers, presentations on hot topics, and an unbiased debate to explore the cost/benefits of innovative products being brought to the market. There is no other place for Mission Critical professionals to learn more about the key issues of the day.”
Hot topics being discussed at recent chapter programs include:
• Commissioning
• Water vs. air cooled cabinets
• High efficiency UPS systems
• Containerization—modular data centers and their growing popularity
• Higher operating temperatures—ranging from 74 to 82 degrees
• Data center development—corporate-owned, co-location providers, and real estate developer-owned
• The trend toward outsourcing
• Lead time—2011 vs. 2001
• Hospitals and healthcare systems data centers—and the impact of new electronic medical records requirements
• Colleges and universities—an increase in data center projects
• The co-location boom—and the drivers behind increased server demand
The Annual Holiday Reception and Vendor Exhibit is an industry must attend event- this is a tremendous event which allows the members and guests to socialize and meet with industry colleagues and the m any sponsoring vendors of the event in a casual Holiday atmosphere.
Supporting the Next Generation
The Annual Scholarship Golf Outing (scheduled for July 25th at the North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, NJ) is one of the Chapter’s main events of the year. The event is being chaired by Mr. Schafer from Highland Associates, Mr. Ryan from Sabey Data Centers, Michael Carron of TLM Group, and Mr. Muller and Diane Raia of Pershing. For further information on the event please visit www.7x24exchangemetrony.com.
The scholarship fund has been established to promote and support the ongoing educational needs of the mission critical field. Due to unprecedented growth in the industry a critical shortage has developed in qualified individuals from the fields of architecture, engineering, construction, IT and facilities management. The proceeds from the golf event will be donated to sponsor scholarships for high school and college students who are pursuing degrees and a career in the engineering or mission critical field. The 7x24 Chapter is working in conjunction with several local colleges and universities and industry-related mentoring programs to promote these scholarships. “The chapter has already donated over $50,000 in scholarships to 15 deserving students,” states Mr. Carron, “and we are now expanding our efforts in this vital area. We welcome your participation at this event and at our educational and networking programs.”
The National Chapter
New York Metro chapter members are encouraged to also join the national organization in order to realize the full benefits of membership. In addition to its myriad educational programs and publications the national chapter is also conducting a Fall 2011 event in Phoenix, AZ between November 11-14. For further information please contact the 7x24 Exchange Inter-national Headquarters at info@7x24exchange.org or call (646) 486-3818.
Moving Forward
“We’re continually helping to share information with new members, identifying emerging trends, and promoting the overall industry as an important sector in our economy,” says Schafer. “We encourage you to join us and share your knowledge and experience with your fellow members in the mission critical field."
