Australian consulting firm AREA3, which specialises in the telecommunications, information technology, and social infrastructure sectors, calls for thoughtful action during this global pandemic.

“During times of uncertainty, one can quickly fall back into a mindset of being reactionary and applying risk-averse attitudes, believing that by bunkering down, one will be immune to what is happening at breakneck speeds around us,” AREA3 MD Charles Penny states.   

He asserts that the “bespoke consulting, technical project management and design firm” continues to deliver projects in the ‘mission-critical’ space.

AREA3 Melbourne Director Gideon van der Westhuizen notes that the consulting sector has to remain functional because it is paramount in building resilience and ensuring “some sort of business continuity”.

He notes that, for more than two decades, he has been advising clients on successful recovery and reconstruction management, post disasters.

Van der Westhuizen says that in the current pandemic environment, cool heads and thoughtful decision making are required. Further, he notes AREA3’s decade-long experience in contributing to solutions and advising clients, both in the public and private sector, stands it in good stead.

Penny points out that its data centre clients require the company to continue to add value, not only by delivering these complex projects on time and within budget, but also through the latest up-to-date technical and construction knowledge.

“My team is delivering on this, by proactively engaging with our clients and delivering a quality product through focused service delivery. Data centre projects are inherently complex and require deep knowledge and outside the box thinking.”

He points out that the requests for new data centre projects, both in Australia and globally, will continue to increase. “The demand is huge, and the impact on readily available professional resources is enormous and will only get bigger.”

Immediate challenges facing data centre clients, aside from capital availability, include suitable sites, expediting planning approvals, proximity to and stability of energy supply, key equipment availability, and labour – all of which AREA3 considers and manages on its clients’ behalf. 

Van der Westhuizen recalls the severe impact of bushfires on Australia’s east coast, earlier this year, adding the impact of all disasters, including the associated financial implications, is expected to worsen in the short-term. “Building resilience and properly planned disaster mitigation efforts are therefore critical”, concludes Penny.