Ken Brill, founder of the Uptime Institute our of which developed Upsite Technologies, recently passed, and his legacy is remembered by Data Center Dynamics. From the article:
*The article has been updated with a statement from Brill’s colleague at Upsite Technologies
Ken Brill, founder of the highly influential data center industry organization Uptime Institute has passed, according to a statement issued by the organization.
In a statement, Martin McCarthy, chairman and CEO of the 451 Group, Uptime’s parent company, said Brill was a special man. “Part visionary thinker, part ruthless pragmatist, he was an iconoclast and innovator, and a man of great integrity and passion,” he said.
“He is legitimately known around the world as ‘the father of the data center industry.’ On behalf of our firm, the clients that Ken devoted his life to serving, and the overall global IT industry, we collectively mourn his passing, and express our condolences to his family and intimates.
“We will all deeply miss this brilliant and bristly individual.”
Brill’s concepts have lead to many innovations that took place in the data center industry over the past 25 years, according to Uptime. These innovations include things like dual power distribution, Uptime’s Tier system of classifying data center facility performance, as well as metrics for energy efficiency of facilities in supporting IT.
Stephen Worn, CTO of DatacenterDynamics, said, “There is no sadder note today than to hear of the passing of our industry friend and colleague Ken Brill. Ken was a special and specific type of data center Renaissance man – one who worked tirelessly and never stopped exploring how to improve and educate our community.
“He dug deeply into the topics important to him and made all our lives richer and added much to the art and science of designing, building and operating the mission critical infrastructure that underpins this digital age.”
According to a statement from Uptime, “Mr. Brill’s research into the economic meltdown of Moore’s Law, data center productivity and energy efficiency, and IT’s declining economics form core knowledge to be taken into account by corporate leaders charged with business performance, profitability and sustainability.”
Julian Kutritzki, COO of Uptime, said Brill was inspired in thinking and resolute in principles. “As a personality and an innovator, he left an indelible imprint on the IT and data center industry,” he said.
“His innovations are so fundamental to the progression of the data center industry over time that it is difficult to believe they can be traced back to the energy and passion of a single man. With Ken’s passing, the industry mourns a ferocious critic and committed agent of change.”
In 2001, Brill founded Upsite Technologies, a data center airflow-management company. In a statement, John Thornell, the company’s president, said, “Everyone at Upsite Technologies extends their heartfelt condolences to Ken’s family during this difficult time.”
In 2009, DatacenterDynamics recognized Brill’s outstanding contribution to the industry with an award. He also received a lifetime-achievement award from 7×24 Exchange International.
