Polcom, one of the largest Polish data center operators and cloud service providers for businesses, plans to build two new data centers and launch a new service platform, Polcom AI Cloud. In the first phase, the investment will amount to 100 million PLN. The new data centers will be built following sustainable development principles.
Polcom has been active in the IT market for over 30 years, consistently developing IT outsourcing services, including cloud computing and data centers for business clients. In 2010, the company launched its first data center in Skawina, near Krakow, followed by a twin facility in Alwernia, along the Krakow-Katowice highway, five years later. Today, Polcom generates approximately 90 million PLN in revenue, with a projected growth of 21% this year.
“Our company’s growth is driven by the needs of our clients – we’ve always aimed to anticipate their demands. Every investment we’ve made so far has been guided by specific market expectations. The same goes for our new data centers – by the end of 2026, we plan to open one of the two planned data centers, which will enable us to provide efficient cloud services for our clients and scalable infrastructure for platforms utilizing AI and machine learning,” said Marcin Gwóźdź, CEO of Polcom.
Increased Investment Budget
In March, the company announced plans to expand its cloud services. Seventy percent of Polcom’s investment budget is allocated to product development, ranging from the core service platform Polcom Cloud, through systems supporting IT infrastructure, to enhancing cybersecurity levels.
“The dynamic market situation requires us to react just as swiftly. We see increasing demand for cloud services for businesses and a growing need for high-density power IT systems, particularly for AI and machine learning projects. That’s why we’ve updated our development plan, which includes building two new data centers for our key services like Polcom Cloud, as well as developing new services dedicated to AI-based projects. Our investment expenditures for this will amount to 100 million PLN by 2026,” adds Marcin Gwóźdź.
Polcom will build two new data centers from the ground up and launch the new Polcom AI Cloud platform, dedicated to companies processing large amounts of data and requiring advanced computing systems.
Business Cloud – Now Also for AI and Machine Learning
The first phase of the investment involves the launch of the Polcom AI Cloud platform for business clients by the end of 2024. The service will enable the use of infrastructure for high-density power computing with pay-per-use billing. This model will improve resource utilization and optimize costs for AI-based projects.
“Polcom AI Cloud merges two breakthrough technologies – artificial intelligence and cloud computing. It will provide companies with an AI platform in a service model, eliminating the need for costly investments,” emphasizes Wiesław Wilk, Vice President of Polcom.
By the end of 2024, the Polcom AI Cloud service will offer 190,000 CUDA cores. In the following years, the platform will be expanded with the help of two new data centers, DC3 and DC4.
“The next phase of the investment involves building two data centers with a total capacity of 44 MW. Both facilities are designed to meet even the most demanding challenges of our clients and provide an appropriate environment for AI and ML solutions. The first data center, DC3, will be operational by the end of 2026, offering cloud computing, disaster recovery, and other business services, while also supporting high-density power solutions where workloads are 20 times greater than current market standards,” says Wiesław Wilk.
Third-Generation Data Centers – Ready for Future Challenges
The new centers will be built according to the latest industry standards and Polcom’s previous experience. The buildings will be constructed using prestressed concrete, each consisting of three floors and six dedicated server chambers. Each chamber will cover 300 m² and will be free of supporting columns. The chambers will have a dedicated power supply and cooling system, capable of delivering up to 100 kW per rack in an energy-efficient and cost-effective manner. This will enable the company to meet all customer demands, including high-density power requirements for the most demanding projects.
To achieve this, power and cooling distribution systems have been redesigned. The new cooling systems are adapted to handle increased energy demand and ensure proper heat dissipation. Hybrid cooling, using air and Direct Liquid Cooling technology (which Polcom has used since 2015), will be implemented. Another key element is dedicated automation systems designed by Polcom to predict events, which is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted operation in high-density power systems and maintaining optimal performance.
As always, the new facilities will adhere to the highest security standards. The centers will feature proven physical protection, fire safety, and monitoring systems, as seen in previous investments. The new data centers will meet the highest Polish and international quality and security standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and ISO 27017.
Green Data Centers
A key element of the investment will be Polcom’s own photovoltaic farm. Efficient resource management, the use of energy-saving technologies, and the development of green energy sources, such as photovoltaic farms, are significant steps toward sustainable development and minimizing Polcom’s carbon footprint.
“For us, it’s a natural step, as we’ve already invested 9 million PLN in renewable energy sources in 2019. This is a crucial aspect for many of our clients, particularly corporate ones. This new investment combines the need for high energy efficiency with environmental care and CO2 emission reduction. Additionally, it makes us independent of transmission network failures,” says Robert Czarniewski, Vice President and CFO of Polcom.
This investment will not only help the company meet modern challenges and strengthen its market position but also fulfill the needs of its most demanding clients.
“Our actions are driven by market needs. As shown by our latest study, cloud computing remains a priority for IT managers – 62% of businesses plan to invest in this area by the end of 2026. The main reasons are the higher scalability (73%) and efficiency (56%) of resources provided by external suppliers. In my opinion, the development of new technologies, access to secure and scalable solutions supporting business growth, and the right specialization will shape the cloud services market in the coming years,” emphasizes Robert Czarniewski.
Source: [ManagerPlus](https://managerplus.pl/polcom-inwestuje-100-mln-pln-w-nowe-centra-danych-i-uruchamia-platforme-polcom-ai-cloud-dla-firm-31738)
