To reach global data center standards and best practices, ePLDT, the ICT arm of PLDT Enterprise and the premier provider of end-to-end digital solutions in the Philippines, announced it is undertaking strategic transformation programs for its VITRO Data Center facilities in Pasig and Parañaque to better serve the digital requirements of industries today.
The programs also aim to fortify the power efficiency, redundancy, and resiliency of the data center facilities through power systems upgrades and equipment modernization.
“We at ePLDT have been fully supportive of the growth and security of our customers. We continuously strengthen our infrastructure and services, and with these VITRO data centers being transformed, we ensure business continuity and successful digital transformation of enterprises,” said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups.
“Moreover, making our data centers sustainable and at par with global standards is imperative as we see Philippines becoming an attractive destination for global tech companies and hyperscalers. We believe that these initiatives will further help in opening the country’s doors to the global data center market,” Hernandez added.
ePLDT started the transformation of its first purpose-built data center in the Philippines in Pasig City in mid-2019. The three-year transformation project will optimize VITRO Pasig’s support infrastructure facility to generate more power capacity, and to accommodate and host more application requirements of its customers.
VITRO Pasig empowers the business continuity and resiliency needs of both local and global customers with 1,800 racks in capacity and 3,900 sqm data center space.
On the other hand, the facility transformation of VITRO Paranaque is set to be completed by third quarter of the year, with certifications (ISO, PCI-DSS) targeted to be secured by the end of 2021. Once finished, VITRO Paranaque shall be the fourth TIA-942 Rated 3 Certified Data Center of ePLDT, and could possibly be the next sought-after data center facility for local enterprises & global technology companies.
VITRO Parañaque is a carrier-neutral purposely-built facility. Accredited by NTT Communications as a Nexcenter-compliant data center facility, it adopts the latest data center design best practices and management experience with 3,000 sqm data center space and 800-rack capacity.
Nico Alcoseba, VP & Head of ICT Business for PLDT Enterprise, said that “these new transformations will make VITRO Pasig and VITRO Paranaque at-par with our other VITRO Data Centers, as we aim to serve the various needs of both local and international markets and become more globally competitive in the business.”
ePLDT has been implementing sustainability initiatives for its data center facilities that will make the most efficient approach to energy usage. For instance, VITRO Clark built its own solar energy source that can generate 100Kw of power and has EIFS or Exterior Insulation Finishing System which reduces heat penetration into the building by 55%—thereby making temperature inside a lot lower than in typical facilities.
At present, the group is securing more international data center certifications such as LEED and ISO 50001 to integrate more efficient energy management into all VITRO facilities nationwide to improve service quality and help with environmental management.
ePLDT’s VITRO Data Centers in Makati, Cebu, and Clark, Pampanga are the first in the country to receive the ANSI/TIA-942 Rated 3 Facility Certifications. The standard is based on all physical infrastructure like site location, fire safety, architectural, electrical, mechanical, security, telecommunication and other critical data center requirements.
To date, ePLDT has 10 data centers strategically located nationwide to provide colocation and services that assure customers of data security and protection, data accessibility, and disaster resiliency.
