Perkuat Bisnis Data Center, DCII Incar Kapasitas 600 MW di 2025

Summary

In this fireside chat, Sinta Zahara interviews Otto Toto Sugiri, President Director of DCI Indonesia, discussing the journey of DCI and its impact on Indonesia's digital transformation. Sugiri highlights the importance of data centers as the backbone of the digital economy, noting Indonesia's potential given its large, young, and active internet population. He addresses challenges such as the lack of skilled human resources and electricity supply, and how DCI has overcome these by training fresh graduates and using AI and IoT to enhance operational efficiency. Sugiri also discusses the government's role in fostering investment in data centers and the industry's potential for growth, emphasizing DCI's commitment to high-quality service and future expansion plans.

Takeaways

• 😀 Otto Toto Sugiri, President Director of DCI Indonesia, discusses the company's journey and the importance of data centers in the digital transformation.
• 🌟 The initial motivation for DCI's establishment was to assist banking customers during the 1998 crisis by providing more affordable data center services.
• 📈 DCI recognized the potential of data as a valuable asset, akin to 'the next oil,' and began focusing on data center infrastructure to support the growing digital economy.
• 🏢 The company faced challenges such as a lack of skilled data center engineers in Indonesia, which they addressed by recruiting and training fresh graduates.
• 🔌 Electricity supply was a significant hurdle, leading DCI to establish facilities in industrial areas with reliable power support.
• 🏗️ DCI pioneered the construction of high-quality data centers in Southeast Asia, with the first Tier 4 data center, setting a benchmark for the industry.
• 💡 The company has been proactive in using AI and IoT sensors to enhance operational efficiency and maintain high service quality.
• 🌐 DCI's data centers are designed to meet the increasing demand for data processing and storage, with plans to expand capacity to 128 MW in the future.
• 💼 The growth of the data center industry in Indonesia is seen as a significant driver for the country's digital economy, creating jobs and fostering innovation.
• 💰 DCI's success in recording substantial profits has led to discussions about sharing these benefits with shareholders, balancing short-term dividends with long-term growth strategies.

Q & A

What was the initial motivation for Otto Toto Sugiri to enter the data center business?

The initial motivation began in 1998 during the crisis, with a spirit to help customers, especially in the banking sector, who were facing difficulties. They started by providing data center services at a lower cost than what the banks would incur if they operated it themselves.

How does Otto Toto Sugiri view the importance of data in the future of digital economy?

He views data as the next oil, recognizing its strategic importance in the infrastructure of the future digital economy. He points out the booming digital economy, underpinned by e-commerce, unicorns, and the need for two main infrastructures: telecommunications and data centers to process and store data.

What was the situation of data center capacity in Indonesia compared to its population size?

The data center capacity in Indonesia was significantly small compared to its population size. While Singapore had a per capita capacity of 100 watts, Indonesia was below 1 watt, despite being the largest producer of data with a young and active internet population.

What was the main challenge Otto Toto Sugiri faced when starting the data center business in Indonesia?

The main challenges were the scarcity of skilled data center engineers in Indonesia and the shortage of electricity supply in Jakarta. To overcome these, they recruited fresh graduates and collaborated with global data center players like Equinix for training, and also moved to industrial areas with better electricity support.

How did DCI address the challenge of a skilled workforce in the data center industry?

DCI started by recruiting fresh graduates, both local and international, and collaborated with global data center companies for training. They also embraced the use of artificial intelligence and IoT sensors to enhance the quality of work and capacity of their employees.

What is the current status of the data center industry in Indonesia in terms of growth and investment?

The industry has seen significant growth with many foreign and local players entering the market. Investment is increasing, and major companies like Telkom are expanding their data center businesses. The industry is expected to reach 300 MW by the end of the year and possibly 600 MW the following year.

What is DCI's strategy to ensure quality service amidst increasing demand and capacity?

DCI focuses on maintaining the highest quality of service and affordability. They have a track record of zero downtime since their operations began in 2013 and continue to innovate and invest in automation and AI to consistently maintain quality despite increasing volume.

How does Otto Toto Sugiri perceive the risk of overcapacity in the data center industry in Indonesia?

He believes that in the medium to long term, Indonesia still needs a significant increase in data center capacity. While there might be temporary oversupply, new demands, especially for AI and cloud computing, will likely absorb the excess capacity.

What role does Indonesia play in attracting data center businesses, and what are its advantages?

Indonesia is seen as a large market in Southeast Asia with a significant user base and a young population. It also has abundant and affordable electricity, making it an attractive location for data center businesses. The government's policies, such as免除进口税, also make it cost-efficient for investors.

What is DCI's approach to using AI and automation in their operations?

DCI has been using AI and IoT sensors since 2017 to assist their engineers, increasing productivity by more than four times. They plan to continue employing these technologies to improve operational efficiency and quality.

What are DCI's future plans regarding expansion and diversification?

DCI plans to focus on expanding its data center business and collaborating on renewable energy initiatives. They do not plan to diversify into areas like Bitcoin mining but will concentrate on enhancing data center services and exploring green energy solutions.