Overview
Since 2023, the data center industry has been rapidly evolving driven by the rise of generative AI, growing sustainability expectations, and the need for scalable, modular infrastructure. This case study highlights how a mid-sized enterprise in Indonesia successfully deployed a next-generation data center, showcasing the strategic planning, technology choices, and real-world outcomes that followed.
Background
Indonesia’s digital economy is expanding fast, with businesses increasingly relying on AI-powered analytics and real-time services like fraud detection. Many companies are finding that their legacy infrastructure can’t keep up with the performance, energy efficiency, and scalability required today.
The launch of Microsoft’s Indonesia Central Cloud Region in Jakarta is a clear signal of the country’s growing role as a regional AI hub. In response, some enterprises have started preparing for AI integration, which has led to a 50% increase in power and space requirements compared to the previous year.
Strategic Objectives
To meet these new demands, the enterprise set out four key goals for its data center deployment:
- Scalability
Build an infrastructure that can grow with the business, especially as AI workloads increase. - Resilience
Ensure the data center can operate continuously—even during disruptions—through high availability and disaster recovery systems. - Sustainability
Use renewable energy and efficient cooling systems to align with global ESG standards and meet the expectations of hyperscale clients. - Cost Optimization
Balance capital and operational expenses by using modular design, smart energy management, and colocation strategies.
Implementation Approach
The company chose a hybrid model: a new facility in downtown Jakarta paired with colocation services for backup and disaster recovery. The infrastructure was designed to be flexible and scalable, using technologies that support both performance and efficiency:
- Building Management System (BMS) for live monitoring of all equipment.
- AI-powered intrusion detection to enhance physical security.
- Customer portal for transparent operations and remote access.
- Liquid cooling systems and smart energy optimization to support high-density workloads while keeping PUE and WUE low.
Lessons Learned
This project offered several key takeaways for enterprises planning similar deployments in Indonesia:
- Early Engagement with Stakeholders
Working closely with suppliers and regulators from the start helped avoid delays—especially when importing specialized equipment not available locally - Choose the Right Technology Stack
The integration of BMS and AI-driven security improves operational visibility and responsiveness, resulting in lower latency and better reliability. - Balance Performance with Cost
While advanced cooling systems added to initial costs, the facility achieved a PUE of 1.25 and showed strong long-term savings. - Jakarta is Ready for Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure
This successful deployment proves that urban data centers—when thoughtfully designed—can meet the needs of modern enterprises in terms of performance, sustainability, and scalability.
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates how a strategic, innovation-led approach to data center deployment can deliver real business value. As AI adoption and digital transformation continue to accelerate in Indonesia, enterprises must rethink their infrastructure to stay competitive—and future-ready.
References:
- https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/whitepapers/2025-data-center-progress-report/
- https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/6665534
- https://www.forrester.com/blogs/13-08-28-to_build_or_to_colocate_your_next_data_center_that_is_the_question/
- https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/ai-data-center-power-demand-could-soar-to-123gw-by-2035-report/
