Frequently Asked Questions

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.

The EkkoSense team consists of PhD and Masters level experts who have been developing software systems and cooling solutions for 20+ years. We have installed innovative products and delivered cooling expertise to thousands of sites across the globe.

A SaaS platform providing immersive 3D visualizations via a “digital twin”, unique cooling and airflow insights, one-click capacity management and innovative AI and machine learning optimization tools for your data center environments.

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.

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

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 in the world. All data transfers are encrypted and all wireless data is transferred using 128-bit AES encryption. EkkoSense will also shortly have formal ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials certification.

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 3 rd 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 need to access the system via a 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 of changes and we aren’t placing control in the “hands of the machine”.

EkkoSoft automatically notifies a user’s screen that thermal issues are occurring in a room and an email can also be sent.

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.

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, putting units into standby. Additional new rules are being added to Cooling Advisor all the time, with the next set of changes arriving in Q4 2020.

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.

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 the 868MHz (Europe) and 923MHz (North America) ISM bands which avoid interference from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

All our sensors use standard industry 128-bit AES encryption.

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.

At least one per rack is recommended for good thermal management and for the full functionality (Cooling Advisor etc.) to work. However, you can install additional sensors to get further thermal insights.

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.

20 meters/21 yards.

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

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 3 rd 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 3 rd party sensors.

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

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 it’s 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 straight in front of the cooling unit fans
- 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 customer network or a 4G modem.

No, the SaaS EkkoSense 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 optimization activities being carried. In additiona, our global partners can also supply professional services to help with installation or optimization activities.

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 purchasable additional installation and optimization services.

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 their 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 will decrease as the required number of elements monitored 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

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.