FAQs

The EkkoSense team consists of PhD and Masters level experts who have been developing software systems and cooling solutions for 25+ years.  We have installed innovative products and delivered cooling expertise to thousands of sites across the globe in every type of critical equipment space.

We have an extremely accurate and low cost range of wireless sensors to provide thermal and humidity data along with unique cooling unit sensors for providing real-time cooling duty. We can also communicate with 3rd party sensor systems to collect thermal and power data (and other data types as required).

Our customers see tangible savings from capacity release, reduced downtime and cooling energy reductions. Cooling energy savings typically range between 10% and 40% depending on the type of EkkoSense engagement, purely software or a combination of software and optimisation services. We have averaged a 30% cooling energy saving over hundreds of customer projects.

A SaaS platform providing immersive 3D visualizations via a “digital twin”, unique cooling and airflow insights, intuitive M&E capacity management and innovative AI and machine learning optimization tools for your data center environment.

The industry leader in optimizing thermal performance, EkkoSense brings together unique 3D visualizations and AI/ML software with innovative, low-cost IoT sensors and PhD-level thermodynamic expertise to achieve entirely new levels of thermal optimization.

Our Cooling Advisor uses AI and Machine Learning techniques to calculate how thermally optimized a room is and then makes tangible recommendations to further optimize.  Suggested changes could involve removal of floor grilles, adjustment of cooling unit set-points, fan speed adjustments or putting units into standby.

EkkoSoft is housed on Amazons AWS, providing a scalable, secure, and resilient platform for even the most demanding of customers.

We take security extremely seriously and we have installations at some of the largest financial institutions and most security conscious customers in the world.  All data transfers are encrypted and all wireless data is transferred using 128-bit AES encryption.  EkkoSense also holds ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials accreditations.

No, EkkoSoft is different and in a class of its own for optimizing the M&E environment.  We use real-time data, not simulated results, we focus entirely on the M&E aspects of the data center and we augment mission critical systems such as BMS to get the most out of the environment.

Yes, we routinely interface with 3rd party devices via Modbus and SNMP and we are also able to communicate via oBIX.

All data is securely stored in the cloud.

EkkoSoft is entirely cloud based, there is no on-prem version offered and you can access the system via any modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

A virtual 3D model of the data center for easily and quickly showing key thermal and power data. The 3D ‘twin’ can be built extremely quickly and is then used to support optimization, capacity management and risk reduction activities.

EkkoSoft analyses in real-time the patterns and performance of the data center and uses machine learning to make tangible actionable recommendations to the user so that the human has the final sign-off (and auditability) of changes and we aren’t placing control in the “hands of the machine”.

EkkoSoft automatically notifies a user’s screen, and via email, that thermal issues are occurring.

Customers can set custom setpoint thresholds for each individual room. The software will then monitor the data being sent by our sensors and if these setpoints have been breached, an alert is sent.

Not at all.  EkkoSoft is lightweight, easy to implement, intuitive to use and simple to manage. It allows your current team to operate more efficiently and drive optimization savings across their estate.

At least 500. This number is usually limited by the practical number of sensors in range of an EkkoHub.

20 meters/21 yards.

All communications are initiated by EkkoLink into the EkkoSoft platform.  Each EkkoLink ethernet port is segregated and has their own internal firewalls and security rules. The operating system has been hardened using CREST approved external penetration testers, in addition to our in house security reviews. The operating system is configured for unattended upgrades. The inhouse C++ applications are developed using Sonarcloud, Whitesource, CPPdepend, CPPcheck and CPPlint to ensure best practices. The web interface is written in PHP and is developed using Sonarcloud and Whitesource to ensure best practice. Penetration testing has been carried on EkkoLink by a CREST approved cybersecurity consultancy following version 3 of the Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM v3).

This is configurable, but the default is 24 hours.

We provide 3rd party integration over Modbus and SNMP networks. We routinely extract data from PDUs and In-Rack PDUs via Modbus and SNMP.

We understand that customers may have already invested in thermal and humidity sensors and EkkoSoft can integrate with many 3rd party sensors.

Yes, we can pull power data from intelligent PDUs via SNMP connectivity.

Rack temperatures only tell you how well your racks are being cooled, they do not reveal how the cooling is being achieved or how much power is being used. To deliver cooling optimization savings you need our unique cooling unit sensor, called EkkoAir, which provides real-time insight into the operation of your cooling units as well as providing an early warning system for faulty cooling units.

The Critical Things® sensors operate in Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) frequency bands. They are available in three different variants to cover the majority of global regulations; 868.3MHz (Europe, Middle East, Africa), 923MHz (North America, Australia, some Asian countries) and 919.8MHz (some Asian countries). These ISM bands avoid interference from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

All our sensors use standard industry 128-bit AES encryption to protect the data transmitted over the wireless link. The sensors transmit broadcast packets which are received by multiple EkkoHubs. There is no routing of the data so there is no opportunity to use the wireless interface to access further into the system.

Once the link has been made from our sensors to the 3D digital twin modeled room in the software, by scanning a unique QR code on the sensor device, the sensors will automatically transmit data wirelessly to the EkkoHub wireless receivers. The EkkoLink appliance aggregates these readings and securely transmits them to the secure cloud.

No, all our wireless sensors are powered by long-life batteries, which are very easily replaceable.

The EkkoSensors use a Humidity and Temperature IC which is fully calibrated and tested by the manufacturer and has excellent long term stability. No initial or subsequent calibration is required.

In smaller rooms where there are only a few racks or cooling units, you could consider the new EkkoHub V3. This can operate in ‘EkkoSoft Direct mode’ where it combines the wireless receiver functionality of an EkkoHub with the ability to connect directly to EkkoSoft over an internet connection.  This solution is perfect for Edge sites, server rooms, hub sites or other smaller type equipment rooms.

At least one per rack is recommended for good thermal management and for the full Cooling Advisor functionality to work. However, some customers deploy multiple inlet or outlet sensors on each rack to get full temp/humidty gradients.

We guarantee a 5-year battery life for our non-display variant and 3 years for display sensors.  The sensors are equipped with replaceable ½ AA lithium thionyl chloride batteries.

No, the EkkoAir is a cooling duty sensor to show real-time data in the software.  EkkoSoft only ever recommends changes, always leaving the user in control of any physical changes.

The EkkoAir collects supply and return data along with fan power to calculate cooling duty, using known cooling unit information.

We guarantee a 3-year battery life for our EkkoAir sensors.  The sensors are equipped with replaceable AA lithium thionyl chloride batteries. Alternatively the EkkoAir can be powered by 12-24V AC or DC from the cooling unit.

Very quick! It is not uncommon for customers to have a working configuration within a day.

All our devices have been designed to be installed by a competent person rather than an ‘expert’. All our hardware comes with easy-to-use installation documentation to guide customers through the ideal and practical placement of all our hardware. We routinely ship hardware (direct or via partners) to customers who then install without any assistance from EkkoSense staff.  However, installation and commission services can be supplied by EkkoSense or its global partners if required.

Each EkkoSensor is supplied with a standard mounting clip that can be cable tied to a mesh rack front or fixed to a glass front using double-sided self-adhesive foam tape. On a mesh rack front, the self-adhesive foam tape supplied on the clip can be used with a cable tie to provide extra stability for the sensor.

You need to have access to the inside of your cooling unit to:

• Fit the EkkoAir’s CT’s around the power supply cable to the fan(s) being monitored
  
  
• To place the EkkoAir’s supply humidity and temperature sensor in the cooled air outlet flow
  
  
• To place the EkkoAir’s return humidity and temperature sensor which is fitted near the inlet filters where there is clear airflow.

Yes, the EkkoAir can be installed in any device with fans.

Yes, providing the In-Row ACU has fans.

The EkkoLink can be connected to the internet via the customers network or a 4G modem.  A number of customers prefer the EkkoSoft deployment to be completely air gapped from existing wired systems for an extra level of resilience and visibility to fully manage the data centre.

This functionality is not available. We have found CAD plans to be inaccurate when giving true size and locations of racks as they are difficult to keep up to date. We are different and have made it easy to create and update maps. The easy ‘drag and drop’ room builder means you can build a room in minutes with no expert knowledge required.

In addition we do have a remote room build service. If you send EkkoSense a CAD/floorplan we can build a room for you using the data. All you then have to to is to update it.

Yes, as a client or partner you get access to our online portal which has the latest user guides, help videos, FAQs and also direct access to our support team.

No, the EkkoSense SaaS software license includes all updates and maintenance.  There is no modular pricing.

We provide one major and two minor updates to EkkoSoft every year as a minimum. All customers with an active EkkoSoft SaaS license receive all updates at no additional charge.

Yes, we offer remote ‘Thermal NOC’ services to augment the capabilities of your existing support teams.

Yes, we have a PhD-level thermal team who provide their services to our customers, either remotely or on-site, to support any level of optimization activity.  In addition, our global partner network can also supply professional services to help with installation, optimization or support requirements.

All hardware provided comes with a 12-month warranty and all software support and updates are included in the annual SaaS license.

EkkoSense and our global partner network can provide chargeable installation, extended warranty, optimization, reporting and support services as required.

We provide a 2-hour remote training session as standard as part of every new install and additional training requests can be covered by EkkoSense or via our global partner network as required.

Either directly from us by:

Phone: +44(0)115 823 2664

Email: [email protected]

Or via one of global partners found here.

We have designed our system (software and hardware) to be extremely cost-effective, with the typical cost often only being a few dollars per year per rack.

Our SaaS price is based on the number of elements a customer needs monitoring. The price per element monitored decreases as the number of monitored elements increases.

We can provide CAPEX or multi-year OPEX structured deals to suit any budget requirements and can often provide a very compelling business case due to the energy-saving benefits of installing the system.  We are also often able to support large scale deployments with a fully funded commercial model where the entire cost of the system is funded out of the proposed energy savings.

No, to purchase our hardware you will need an EkkoSoft License.

We operate in all regions across the globe with an ever-increasing number of global partners and resellers

GLOBAL

AMERICAS

EUROPE

MEA

APAC

 Ekkosense solutions are available directly, or through the company’s expanding network of international partners across North and South America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

www.ekkosense.com  
Follow us on Twitter @ekkosenseUK

Press Contact: Cheryl Billson, Comma Communications – PR for EkkoSense,
+44 (0)7791 720460
[email protected]