Paratus Group COO Schalk Erasmus and Group CEO Barney Harmse.

Paratus Namibia is backing its Armada Data Centre facility, scheduled to be launched in August 2022, with N$123-million and believes its newest datacentre “is the largest and most advanced datacentre in Namibia and one of the largest in Africa.”

The company says that the timing of the datacentre’s official launch is apt, given the country-and continent’s 4IR aspirations.

The Paratus Armada Data Centre will be located just outside Namibia’s capital, Windhoek and according to the telco, “has been strategically designed as an international facility, serving customers in Namibia and its neighbouring countries.”

Chief Operations Officer (and CEO Designate) of Paratus Group, Schalk Erasmus explains: “Our customers understand that technological advancement is critical for economic development.To participate in 4IR, they will need an independent, secure, and highly sophisticated DC facility to store and protect their data 24/7/365; house and physically protect all equipment and computer systems; and offer an array of add-on services and features such as fully equipped boardrooms, high-quality video conferencing facilities and lightning-fast connections.The Paratus Armada DC is the safest and secure environment for our customers’ most precious asset - their data.”

Paratus adds that in order to mitigate the impact of the Armada DC construction site, it has incorporated a large duck pond, replanted some of the trees that had to be uprooted during construction and is introducing renewable solar energy systems and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels to offset its carbon footprint.

Erasmus adds: “Companies do not need to build their own facilities and by using our colocation facility means that they are helping to reduce their potential impact on the environment too. What’s more, the construction project has helped to uplift people in the area by creating employment and economic opportunities for the local community.”

Data protection continues to impact businesses and according to Paratus cyber-attacks are rising daily, “… and data loss has no boundaries, therefore businesses need to be assured of security. Paratus has considered every aspect of security – including 24-hour perimeter security, facility, computer room, and cabinet controls to prevent unauthorised entry into the Armada DC.”

The telco has lined the inner layers of Armada with battery backups, generators, cages, and data racks.

“Reliable and carefully monitored power supply and cooling systems ensure that optimal temperature and humidity for all equipment is maintained and designed to mitigate the loss of data due to any equipment failure caused by the lack of power or equipment overheating,” the company states.

“We aim to give customers what they need for their future, limitless opportunities.They realise they need to be digitally fit, and we are giving them all the backup and solutions they need to become digitally transformed” Erasmus adds.

Although Paratus operates its own resilient fibre network that interconnects the Armada to the rest of the world, the DC is carrier-neutral, “giving clients and tenants host connectivity options and freedom of choice.”