Executing with Military Precision at Scale and Around the World

We’re able to provide data center solutions around the world at scale because we’ve solved the talent challenge that plagues even the most sophisticated hyperscalers, colo providers, and edge operators. The ‘secret’ is our unique people, processes, and technology.

How We Do It

People

Military Discipline + Mission Critical Expertise

"A core differentiator for Compass Datacenters is having a team of folks who get the 'Why' behind what we do. Veterans get it. I don't have to teach a veteran how to follow a procedure and how that helps us achieve our mission."
Hear more from Chris in the case study
Chris Crosby
Chris CrosbyCEO, Compass Datacenters
"Uptime Institute Network members and the leadership of Uptime Institute recognized that the data center industry needs the discipline, leadership, and flexibility skills of veterans to serve as a foundation on which it can build the next generation of data center operators."
Learn more in the Data Center Operations Playbook
Uptime Institute
Uptime Institute2020 Annual End User Survey
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Meet Some of Our People

Sonda Kolodzinski

VP of Business Operations
Sonda has been with Salute since the very beginning. Wearing many hats over the years, she has been particularly instrumental in the development of Salute's processes and technology tools, including the development of IZON and the opening of our Global Command Center.

Eugene Ellison

Data Center Project Manager
Shortly after receiving a CompTIA A+ certificate and becoming a Data Center Certified Associate, Eugene took on the role as of Remote Hands Technician serving a major global computer software company on the West coast. Today, he oversees service for the same customer.

Jason Yankovitz

Area Operations Manager
Jason started with Salute as a security supervisor for one client and quickly progressed to the role of security manager overseeing three client locations. From there, he moved into project management with Salute’s tiger teams. Today, he’s an area manager overseeing multiple client locations.

How We Do It

Process

Playbook: The Process by Which Salute Solves the Data Center Talent Crisis

Our business model relies on having solved the talent challenge that plagues most hyperscalers and colocation providers. Take a peek behind the curtain and learn how in our Data Center Operations Playbook.

get the playbook

Critical Infrastructure Training

Salute Workforce Supply Chain

Initial Training

Our progressive workforce development model is enabled by the Salute Training Academy. This integrated training program includes both common core and graduated curricula based on skill and experience, as determined by a pre-test. The curricula encompass all aspects of data center safety, equipment, facilities, security, operations, maintenance, incident handling and response, deployment, and decommissioning.

Every junior-level candidate looking to serve as a data center technician completes a 90-day foundational program. That’s in addition to the continuous development of our managers with hiring, safety and leadership training. In every case, our training programs are purpose-built to develop specific technical competencies, augmenting our culture and the foundational skillsets our veterans come in with.

We’re able to accelerate training and reduce onboarding time because we correlate specific training programs to specific data center experiences. In addition, our proprietary management software IZON standardizes onboarding and training processes and flow.

Spotlight on: The Salute Training Academy

Core components of the Academy include:

  • Global safety standards including NEN, OSHA & NFPA Safety
  • Industry standards including NCMCO, BICSI, ITIL, ISO, SOC, ASHRAE, and FM
  • Industry training including DCPRO - Health & Safety, FMCI, and CDCP
  • MEP OEM training including Schneider University, Corning, Legrand, AFL, and Nexans
  • In-depth technical assessments
  • Ongoing coursework support
  • Continuous training and drills

In addition, Salute team members who work at client sites receive client site-specific training which covers the client’s policies, procedures, and equipment; service response, escalation and emergency response requirements. Where the client requires us to interface with their CRM platform, our team members are also trained on that platform, its requirements and SLAs.

Learn more and see a sample curriculum in the Playbook

Initial Training

Ongoing Professional & Technical Development

Hiring technically competent and astute individuals and adding structured and on-the-job training (OJT) training we quickly progress our team through site certification. Everyone who passes through this program becomes certified to perform specific tasks that are matched to their level of training.  There are several logical progressions to such a program: 1) Qualification for supervised operations; 2) Qualification for unsupervised operations; and 3) Qualification for advanced operations.

Level 1

The goal at this level is to produce an employee that is capable of "standing watch" and properly responding to emergency situations. Ideally, there would be at least one other more highly qualified staff member on duty with them.

Level 2

At this level, the training focuses on learning the site-specific critical systems while beginning participation in routine work practices.

Level 3

Here the focus broadens to non-critical systems, while getting more in-depth into the critical systems. Completion of Level 3 is where most Salute team members will end up. When employees are hired with more experience and stay with Salute longer, they may move to level 4 training. Also, when an employee aspires to lead roles level 4 is available to develop and demonstrate skills and competencies associated with those roles.

Level 4

This level puts the employee on the path to becoming a subject matter expert, and includes:

  • Select, technically difficult procedures
  • Specialized outside training
  • Training course development
  • Training course delivery
As part of our development program we focus on three core areas:

1. Competence

  • Power
  • Project Management
  • Logistics
  • Cooling infrastructure
  • Level 1 smart hands ticket support
  • Mission critical infrastructure (UPS, Chiller, HVAC, ATS, generators, fire/life safety systems)
  • Technical methods of procedure
  • Change management and prepare incident reporting

2. Quality

  • Safety is our primary focus to eliminate operational hold-ups and ensure that we meet critical deadlines
  • Educated to adhere to highest quality and code of conduct
  • Veteran technicians who are comfortable working in mission critical environments
  • Reporting/Documentation: we build MOP and SOP guidelines into our IZON software platform to ensure we continuously track status and our teams align to customer requirements

3. Continuity

  • Empower military veterans
  • Foster a Culture of Safety, Commitment, and Customer Service
  • Continue to provide education and individual development for Salute technicians
  • Drive client’s business results by providing a reliable and expandable workforce management capability
Ongoing Professional & Technical Development

How We Do It

Technology

IZON (Our proprietary training and workforce management tool)

We leverage off-the-shelf SaaS tools in many cases, but for our training and workforce management, we built our own tool, IZON. We use this proprietary software to monitor and manage our teams, projects, and MOPs. It allows us total transparency with our clients.

Our teams use IZON to follow procedures and track progress. When appropriate, they upload photos to display time-stamped work in progress. This evidence of completion is used for remote QA and client sign-off at project completion. Onsite staff are easily identifiable through the portal – from qualifications to certifications – assuring the right people are in place for the need.

The mobile application walks the site team through their daily tool talk, PPE, site walk, hazard analysis, safety escalation review, and equipment. Whether starting the day or starting a project, each step of the MOP is detailed and completed in the application while on site. At the end of a day or project, IZON reports can be generated for client review.

The IZON platform encompasses these key functions:

  • MOP/SOP/EOP
  • Site rounds
  • Global dashboard
  • Inventory
  • QA/QC
  • Talent mapping
  • CMMS/ASSET
  • Project specific for SME/client
  • Scheduling/resource allocation
IZON (Our proprietary training and workforce management tool)

The Global Command Center

The proliferation of remote unstaffed edge sites is driving demand for an approach that allows for data center technicians to provide data center solutions from afar – and at the same time, be available locally if necessary. That's what our Global Command Center enables. From the Global Command Center, we coordinate data center management services and projects for all of our client-owned facilities. We remotely monitor and dispatch techs to client-owned facilities as needed to ensure that standards and processes are met.

The Global Command Center

Discover what Salute could do for you

Set an introductory meeting with one of our team members to discuss our data center solutions.
Your data will not be shared outside of Salute and used only to provide you with information. For more details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Discover what Salute could do for you

Set an introductory meeting with one of our team members
Your data will not be shared outside of Salute and used only to provide you with information. For more details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
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