For fied Security Expert IT Moderniza on Services for Future Growth
Strategic Planning Pioneering Solu ons for Data Management Challenges





For fied Security Expert IT Moderniza on Services for Future Growth
Strategic Planning Pioneering Solu ons for Data Management Challenges
As the digital landscape continues to advance at an
unparalleledrate,theroleofdatacentershasnever beenmorevital.Thesemultifacetedinfrastructures serve as the backbone for a vast array of modern technologies,fromcloudcomputingtoartificialintelligence,bigdata analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Data centers power everything from e-commerce platforms and social media networks to advanced machine learning models and real-timedataprocessing,makingthemindispensabletothe global economy. In response to the exponential growth in data consumption and the increasing reliance on digital services, the evolution of data centers is now more critical thanever Thistransformationisbeingledbyanewgeneration of visionary leaders who are driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in data storage, processing, and security These leaders are reshaping the entiredatacenterecosystem,focusingnotjustonenhancing technical capabilities but also on integrating advanced technologieslikeedgecomputing,artificialintelligence,and green energy solutions to build more efficient, sustainable, andscalableinfrastructures.
CIOLook in its recent edition titled Top 10 Visionary Leaders Transforming Data Centers in 2025 recognizes individuals who are reshaping both the technological and operationalframeworksofdatainfrastructure.Theseleaders
are not only advancing innovation but are also driving the industry toward enhanced sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. Their efforts are revolutionizing the way data is stored, processed, and transmitted, with a strong emphasis on integrating cutting-edge technologies like edge computing, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy solutions. Through pioneering initiatives, they are addressing the increasingdemandforscalable,secureinfrastructureswhile ensuring data centers become more energy-efficient and environmentallyconsciousthaneverbefore.
Intheyearsahead,thecontributionsoftheseleaderswillbe pivotalnotonlyinaddressingtheescalatingglobaldemand for data processing capabilities but also in overcoming the intricate challenges related to security, regulatory compliance, and environmental impact. Looking forward, the groundbreakingeffortsofthesepioneerswillplayacrucial role in shaping the future of the data center industry, establishing new benchmarks and inspiring the next generationofleadership.
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FeaturedPerson
BillKleyman
ExecutiveChair, DataCenterPrograms
DavidMcCall VP,BrandEvangelist
GlenDuncan HeadofData CentreResearch
HolgerZultner ManagingDirector
KevinMiller APACDirector
LeisserBarrera
ChiefExecutive
Officer
RaulMartynek ChiefExecutive Officer
SerafimAbreuJunior
ChiefExecutive
Officer
TarekAbdelHameed HeadofBusiness Development
WoonTengKoh SeniorDirector
Informa informa.com
QTSDataCenters qtsdatacenters.com
JLL jll.com
LeadershipDatacenterGmbH leadership-datacenter.de
HDR,Inc. hdrinc.com
OneDataCenterAmerica onedatacenteramerica.com
DataBank,Ltd. databank.com
NextStream nextstream.com
SchneiderElectric se.com
DigitalRealty digitalrealty.asia
BillistheExecutiveChair,DataCenterProgramsatInforma, leadinginitiativesinthedatacenterindustry,providing insights,andshapingstrategiestoinfluencetheglobaldata centermarket.
DavidistheVPandBrandEvangelistatQTSDataCenters, leadingbrandpromotion,marketpositioning,andcustomer engagementinitiativestodrivecompany’sgrowth.
GlenistheHeadofDataCentreResearchatJLL,specializing inmarketanalysis,trends,andstrategicdevelopmentofdata centerstoofferinsightstostakeholdersinthedatacenter industry
HolgerservesastheManagingDirectoratLeadership DatacenterGmbH,whereheisresponsibleformanaging operationsandleadingthecompany’sexpansionintothedata centerindustry
KevinistheAPACDirectoratHDR,Inc.,leadingbusiness development,projectmanagement,andstrategicplanningto expandthecompany'sfootprintandserviceswithintheAsiaPacificregion’sinfrastructuresector.
LeisseristheCEOofOneDataCenterAmerica,leading businessdevelopment,operations,andcustomerrelationsto focusoninnovativedatacentersolutions.
RaulistheChiefExecutiveOfficeratDataBank,Ltd.,leading company'soperations,strategicvision,andgrowthinthedata centerindustryandprovidingenterprise-levelsolutions.
SerafimistheChiefExecutiveOfficeratNextStream, overseeingoperations,leadingstrategicdirection,and expandingthecompany’sreachindatacenterandtechnology markets.
TarekistheHeadofBusinessDevelopmentat SchneiderElectric,overseeingthecompany'sgrowth andfosteringbusinessrelationshipstoenhanceproduct solutionsintheindustry
WoonistheSeniorDirectoratDigitalRealty,overseeing strategicinitiatives,businessdevelopment,andmanaging customerrelationstodrivethecompany’sgrowth.
In the complex environment of data centers, where technology,sustainability,andteamworkcometogether, true innovation transcends mere technical expertise. It requires a visionary approach that encompasses a range of interdisciplinary skills and foresight Holger Zultner, Managing Director, Leadership Datacenter, GmbH, is demonstrating this attitude in his daily operations by effortlessly merging systems thinking and sustainable, resilientdigitalinfrastructuremindsets.
He began his professional life in the fields surrounding geography and cultural studies, which may sound like an unfamiliar preliminary to becoming a forefront innovator of data centers. However, these disciplines also provided him with a distinctive perspective on complexity and systemic interdependencies. This perspective became indispensable whennavigatingthecomplexarenaofdatacenterdesignand construction, fueling the revolutionary strategies he would later develop He saw that designing future-proof infrastructure is about more than technical knowledge; it is aboutbeingabletothinkbeyondseparatecomponentstohow thecomponentsofanecosystemfittogetherandcanworkasa system.
His experience in academia, his stewardship in publishing, and his tenure in leadership at the world's top technology
company,IBM,highlightingarecurrenttheme:aninsatiable dedication to combining careful planning with thin, agile operations. Holger hit the breakthrough when he created a modular,standardizeddatacentersystemthatnotjustbecame moreefficientbutprovidedanewbenchmarkthroughoutthe industry. This success was not viewed as a singular accomplishment-itwasasignofhiscapacitytocreateaspirit of cooperation and unite different abilities into viable and integrativegroups.
Leading with ambition not content to rest on proven success, but driven to redefine what’s possible, he started with LeadershipDatacenterGmbHintheyear2023andused his enthusiasm for purpose-driven innovation as the driving forcebehindanewventurecommittedtoefficiency,
sustainability,anddigitallyenhancedinfrastructure.Building astartupfromthegroundupisanythingbutstandingstill–it requires critical moments of reflection, yet always an unwaveringfocusonmovingforwardandcontinuingtobuild. Asmuchasenablingarapid,massivemodularconstructionor implementing circular economy into the designing environment, his vision answers the puzzle with a direct outlookanddrive.ThestoryofHolgerisatestamenttohow consideratesystemsthinking,withirrepressiblecommitment to action and desire to challenge the status quo, can indeed changethelandscapesoftheindustriesandstartestablishing newstandardsforthefuture.
Holger’sentryintothedatacenterindustrywasanythingbut conventional. With an academic foundation in geography, language, and cultural studies from the University of TübingenandDurhamUniversityintheUK,hiseducational background initially appeared distant from the technology sector. However, throughout his studies, he cultivated a profoundunderstandingofcomplexityandsystemsthinking. This aptitude for perceiving structures as interconnected networks profoundly shapes his leadership style today, marked by clarity, meticulous organization, and a forwardlookingstrategicvision.
Duringandfollowinghisacademicpursuits,Holgerservedas a project manager for a publishing house dedicated to bridgingthegapbetweenacademiaandindustry Amonghis most impactful achievements was leading the publication of Learning to See, a collaborative effort between MITand the Fraunhofer IPA. This groundbreaking project introduced value stream mapping and lean thinking to industrial environments, underscoring the power of visual leadership, structured planning, and cohesive team alignment. Holger mentions, “Later, I led a project on 'Long-Term Adaptability
as a Core Capability in Modern Organizations,' which still informshowIbuildresilientorganizationstoday.”
Holger’s move to IBM marked a major turning point in his career He commenced his tenure within GlobalTechnology Services and swiftly advanced into leadership positions, ultimatelyassumingtheroleofHeadofDataCenterDesign andBuildfortheDACHregion.Inthiscapacity,Holgerand histeampioneeredastandardizeddatacentermodelrootedin leanprinciples,culminatinginthelaunchofIBMModule1,a standardized delivery framework that set a new global industry benchmark His outstanding contributions were recognizedwiththeprestigiousEuropeanLeadershipAward andthedistinctionofbeingnamedamongthe"BestofIBM."
When asked why he left such a successful role, Holger explainsthatitwasnotaboutsteppingawayfromhisvalues but rather moving closer to them. He carried forward IBM’s core leadership principles and collaborative spirit, particularlytheethosof“Unitetogetitdone.”Inpartnership withStephanLang,aformercompetitor,heembarkedonan ambitious journey to transform a traditional general contractor into a respected and competitive force within the Europeandatacenterindustry
This vision culminated in the founding of Leadership Datacenter. In 2023, Holger and Stephan Lang started LeadershipDatacenterGmbH(LDC)asagreenfieldstartup, driven entirely by vision and conviction. Within weeks, the company secured a multi-million-euro modular project comprising147prefabricatedmodulestotaling9,300square meters.ManufacturedinGermanyandshippedtoLisbon,the prefabricated building shell installation was successfully completed in just 17 days. In parallel, another Data Center turnkeyprojectbytheyounggrowingcompanywaslaunched intheleadingglobalinnovationregionofStuttgart,Germany and—starting from the foundation slab—fully completed, commissioned,andhandedovertotheclientwithinjust0.63 years, enabling an immediate transition into the next constructionphases.
HolgerexplainsthatLeadershipDataCenterchosetheantas their logo, drawing inspiration from nature. The ant symbolizes purpose, collaboration, and system intelligence. Theirlogoembodiesthecompany’sethos:asharpmind,a
strongheart,andasolidcore.Itservesasaconstantreminder tobuildwithintelligence,leadwithintegrity,andmovewith purpose.
LDC’sgrowthduringitsinauguralyearwasremarkable.The companysuccessfullydeliveredover15,000m²ofdatacenter space, with an additional 15,000 m² already in the planning stages.However,asHolgeremphasizes,successatLDCisnot measured solely by scale. For him, it is defined by mindset, anchored in agility, purpose, and forward-thinking leadership.
What distinguishes Leadership Datacenter in a competitive market is its comprehensive role as a general contractor spanning the entire value chain, from consulting and design throughtoconstruction,testing,andcommissioning.Holger emphasizes the company’s integration of deep consulting expertise, cutting-edge construction tools, lean methodologies, and real-time digital monitoring This synergy fosters a seamless collaboration between human intelligence and digital technology, delivering projects that areefficient,resilient,andpurpose-driven.
Holger shares that Leadership Datacenter is driven by a relentless passion for development. This mindset has led to award-winning innovations, including twice receiving the German Data Center Award and the double of the Public Choice Award. He says, “These honors reflect not just our achievements, but our belief that strong ecosystems and strategicpartnershipsarethetrueenginesofinnovation.”
Holger offers a concrete example of how this philosophy is realizedinpractice.LeadershipDatacenterispartneringwith Hannover Messe to co-create a smart innovation district encompassing 16 kilometers of infrastructure. This project serves as a living lab dedicated to digitization, decarbonization,anddistributedintelligence.ForHolgerand histeam,itexemplifiestheircommitmenttobuildingdigital ecosystemsratherthanmerelyconstructingbuildings.
Holger’slong-termvisionforLeadershipDatacenterisforthe phrase “I have a Leadership Data Center” to become synonymous with trust, speed, modular excellence, and purpose.Heemphasizesthatthecompany’sambitionisnotto be the largest, but to set the benchmark for conviction and consistency
Holger explains that at Leadership Datacenter, the team and culture are founded on systems thinking rather than siloed work.Everyteammembertakesownershipofoutcomes.The companyhiresindividualsnotmerelytofillroles,buttohelp defineandshapethem.Autonomy,purpose,andthecourage to innovate are actively encouraged. For Holger, leadership means embracing responsibility, providing clarity, and promotingasharedambition.
Holger states that sustainability is deeply embedded in the Leadership Datacenter’s DNA. Their modular designs are developed to be AI-ready and circular by design The companywasapioneerinitssegmentbyintegratingmaterial andresourcepassportsinEdgedatacenters,aligningclosely withtheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals7,9, 12, and 17. For Holger and his team, building sustainably means prioritizing responsibility over simply following trends.
Holger defines transformation as the creation of digital ecosystems, guiding clients into new territories, embedding sustainability throughout every phase, and standardizing excellence while maintaining adaptability. He explains that LeadershipDatacenterbeginswhereothershesitate,starting withsiteselectionandlandidentification,andremains
engaged through to commissioning For Holger, transformation embodies the fusion of visionary clarity and preciseexecution.
Holger explains that Leadership Datacenter is future-ready throughagileplanning,rapidfeedbackloops,andintegrated cross-functionalleadership.Holgershares, “Our leaders are trained in emotional intelligence, cultural fluency, and decision-making under uncertainty.” Currently, Leadership Data Center is expanding its operations across Europe and takingthefirststepsintotheMiddleEast.
Holger identifies several trends shaping the Leadership Datacenter’s roadmap. These include AI-driven design and operation, sovereign infrastructure to address geopolitical needs, edge computing and smart city integration, and circular business models. He points out that the real bottlenecks will not be technical but related to energy,
permitting, and grid access For Holger, the company’s strengthliesinbalancingambitionwitheffectivedelivery
Holger advises future leaders to embrace vision, commitment, and integrity He believes leadership is not about titles or momentum but about completing what you start.Usingtheanalogyofa400-metersprint,heexplainsthat you do not stop halfway to ask for new shoes.You run, you deliver, and you stay committed long enough to shape the outcome.
Intoday'sfastpaceandtech-drivencorporateenvironment, companies are implementing professional IT modernization solutions as a way of seeking future development. Since the older systems are failing to meet the demands of operations in the modern world, replicating retro tech has become crucial to business IT modernization is not necessarily an exercise in swapping the current software or equipment; rather, it is a transformation with the overall goal thatrendersorganizationscompetitive,agile,andcost-effective inafirst-worlddigitalera.ITmodernizationsolutionsprovidea strategic technology and business goal convergence platform. The services are often inclusive of infrastructure migration, applications, data systems, and operations processes. From mobility platforms to the cloud, from tool automation, to big data analytics, modernization enables organizations to attain newlevelsofefficiency,security,andinnovation
EnablingAgilityandEfficiencythroughModernization
Increasing agility throughout the enterprise is one of the key objectives of IT modernization With a customer economy of changingexpectationsanddigitaldisruptionasthenewnorm, organizationsneedtobeagiletorespondattherighttimeand pace TheantiquatedITsystemshaveneverbeenmoreflexible thantheyarenowbyleveragingprovenarchitectureandtried frameworks. The new systems are built with the goal of supporting flexibility. Businesses can re-engineer their technology platforms to support changing needs, market opportunities, and operational challenges through the help of seasoned IT consultants Modernization enhances efficiency significantly too, sidestepping labor-intensive manual proceduresandsimplifyingintricateprocesses
Legacysystemswillmostoftendemandcolossalmaintenance, whichwillmostoftenbeintheformofbigmaintenancecosts, frequent shutdowns, and more workarounds. An IT
infrastructure state-of-the-art resists automation, integration, andself-servicealternativesinstead.ITmodernizationexperts can spot redundant processes and provide the most suitable tools which avert inefficiencies This type of transformation minimizes business cost, enhances service delivery, and maximizesemployees'productivitydepartmentally Anexpertlevel solution guarantees initiatives towards modernization to becraftedandcompleteinaddressingthespecificrequirements ofaparticularcompany.
One of the key benefits of ITmodernization is utilization and deployment of cloud computing Cloud solutions provide businessesscalableinfrastructureandapplicationson-demand, optimal utilization of resources, and expanded access by distributed teams. Value-added IT modernization services allow businesses to choose appropriate models of cloud public, private, or hybrid and perform secure and glitch-free cloud migration Workload analysis, risk analysis, andpost-migrationoptimizationarecoveredunderservicesso that the cloud environment is delivering maximum performance
Besides cloud deployment, modernization also generally encompasses the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and robotic process automation These all products have high capabilitiesthatcanassistinmakingcontributionstowardmore effective decision-making, routine task automation, and offering customized customer experiences. IT modernization expertsassistorganizationsinincorporatingsuchservicesina manner that they are incorporated into business core business processesandsecurelybecomeapartofcurrentsystems.Edge computingandInternetofThingsarealsobecomingapartofan ITstrategyofcurrenttimes Boththesetechnologiesallowfor real-time data processing and valuable insights to be derived fromnetworkeddevices
ITmodernizationisnotaneventbutaconstantprocesstoward empowering organizational resilience and future-proofing organizations to fuel long-term growth Since digital transformation is ongoing and accelerating in industries, organizationshavetobeabletocontinuouslytransform.Sturdy ITinfrastructureunderpinsquickadoptionoffreshtechnology, improved risk administration, and quick digital capability improvement Such business organizations incurring such a
cost can expect to ride out market uncertainty, cyber-attacks, and shifting purchasing habits. IT modernization experts maintain long-term agility and conservation of electronic equipment They offer regular support, monitoring, and strategicadvisoryservicesformaintenanceandmodifications ofthemodernizedconfiguration
ItisthisvisionthatkeepsITinfrastructurealignedwithbusiness goalsandindustrystandardsinthelongterm.Specialistservices generallyincludetrainingandchangemanagementassistance to empower in-house staff to implement new workflows and tools with confidence Furthermore, quality IT infrastructure can boost customer satisfaction and trust Finally, IT modernization is a process required to create a future-proof business WithprofessionalITservices,companiescanliberate themselvesfromlegacyinfrastructureandtoaleaner,meaner, better,andscalableITinfrastructure.
Professional IT modernization services are now no longer a choice for companies that desire to thrive in an accelerating digitalizing and rapidly changing business environment With advancing technology, so also advances that underlying infrastructure that exists below it driving core operations, innovation, and customer interaction. By outsourcing the services of experienced IT modernization experts, companies can intentionally rebuild their infrastructure, inject new technologies into the mix, and devise a flexible platform for sustained growth Modernization is not a reengineering of technology but a shrewd investment for the future. Organizationscanlearntomanagecomplexity,reducerisk,and maintain new levels of performance and resilience with the assistance of professionals. Organizations modernizing now will position themselves strongly to lead tomorrow, to drive innovation, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity in the changingworld
Intoday'sdigitaleconomy,dataisregardedasoneof themostvaluableassetsorganizationspossess.From improving operational efficiencies to driving innovation and enhancing customer experiences, data plays a central role in shaping business strategies However, as data volumes grow exponentially and the complexity of managing it increases, businesses face significant challenges. The need to manage, store, and processdataefficientlyhasneverbeengreater.Pioneering solutions are now emerging to address these challenges, offeringorganizationsthetoolstheyneedtoharnessthefull potential of their data while minimizing the risks and inefficienciesassociatedwithtraditionaldatamanagement practices
Historically,businesseshavestruggledwithmanagingdata inisolatedsilos wheredifferentdepartmentsorbusiness units controlled their own data systems. This siloed approachtodatamanagementoftenresultedinfragmented data, inefficiencies, and difficulty accessing accurate and up-to-date information when needed. Without a centralized platform, businesses faced the challenge of reconciling inconsistent data, which led to decisionmakingbasedonincompleteorinaccurateinformation.To overcome these obstacles, integrated data management platforms have emerged as a comprehensive solution These platforms consolidate all data management functions into a single, unified framework, creating a centralizedhubforstoring,processing,andanalyzingdata.
The seamless integration of different data sources whether structured,semi-structured,orunstructured intoonecohesive system allows businesses to eliminate redundancies, improve consistency,andensurethataccuratedataisavailableacrossthe organization Furthermore, these platforms provide essential capabilities such as automated data governance, security protocols,anddataintegrationtools Withautomationhandling routinetasks,businessescanfocusonmorestrategicinitiatives whilereducingthemanualeffortinvolvedindatamanagement. Theavailabilityofadvancedanalyticsandbusinessintelligence features within these platforms enables companies to extract actionableinsightsfromtheirdatafaster
As businesses grapple with the ever-growing volume and complexityofdata,artificialintelligence(AI)isprovingtobean invaluabletoolinmanagingandoptimizingdataprocesses.AIpowered solutions, particularly machine learning algorithms and natural language processing, are becoming indispensable forimprovingvariousaspectsofdatamanagement,fromdata entry and cleansing to predictive analytics and anomaly detection Oneoftheprimarychallenges’organizationsfacein managing data is ensuring data quality. Large datasets often containinaccuracies,duplicates,orincompleterecords,which can undermine the integrity of analyses and decision-making processes
AIcanplayacriticalroleinidentifyingtheseinconsistencies Machine learning algorithms, for instance, are designed to recognize patterns in vast datasets, flagging data that deviates from established norms or could be indicative of errors.With theseAI-drivencapabilities,businessescanquicklycleanand standardize their data, ensuring higher levels of accuracy and reliability Beyond data cleansing, AI also offers significant improvements in data classification and categorization Traditionally, businesses have relied on manual processes to organize large volumes of unstructured data, such as emails, documents, and social media posts. With AI and natural language processing, these unstructured data types can be automatically analyzed, classified, and categorized based on predefinedparameters.Thisautomationreducesthetimespent onmanualdataentryandclassification,freeingupresources tofocusonmorehigh-valuetasks.
Cloudcomputinghasrevolutionizedthewaybusinesseshandle data management, offering a scalable, flexible, and costeffective alternative to traditional on-premises data storage
solutions. As organizations generate more data and require greater storage capacity, the limitations of on-premises systems such as high upfront costs, limited scalability, and maintenancechallenges havebecomeincreasinglyapparent Cloudcomputingaddressestheseissuesbyprovidingvirtually limitless storage and computational resources on-demand, allowingbusinessestoscaletheirdatamanagementcapabilities accordingtotheirspecificneeds.
Cloudplatformsenableorganizationstostorevastamountsof data without the constraints of physical infrastructure This flexibility is particularly valuable for businesses experiencing rapidgrowthorthosewithfluctuatingdatastorageneeds The pay-as-you-gomodelofferedbymanycloudprovidersmeans thatbusinessesonlypayfortheresourcestheyuse,makingita morecost-effectivesolutionthanmaintainingon-sitehardware. Inaddition,cloudprovidersinvestheavilyinsecuritymeasures, ensuring that businesses can store their data with confidence, knowing that it is protected from potential breaches or loss Beyondstorage,cloudcomputingenhancescollaborationand productivity With cloud-based data management systems, employees can access data and work on projects in real-time fromanylocationwithaninternetconnection.
In a world where data is at the heart of business success, managingiteffectivelyismorecriticalthanever Thegrowing volume, variety, and velocity of data present significant challenges for organizations, but pioneering solutions are emerging to address these issues head-on. Integrated data management platforms, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing are reshaping how businesses approach data management,makingitmoreefficient,scalable,andsecure.By leveraging these innovative solutions, organizations can overcome traditional data management obstacles, streamline operations, and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation Asdatacontinuestoplayacentralroleinbusiness strategy,theabilitytoeffectivelymanage,analyze,andextract valuefromdatawillremainakeydifferentiator.