Fright Night for IT: the Haunting challenges of it infrastructure management
As Halloween approaches, most of us expect a few harmless frights. But for IT and data centre professionals, the real horrors don’t come from haunted houses — they can come from managing IT infrastructure that keeps our digital world alive. Onnec’s latest Data Centre Research Report uncovered what’s really keeping operators awake at night. From AI growing pains to tangled cabling chaos, here are some of the nightmares haunting IT professionals this Halloween — and how they can be faced head-on.
1. The AI Monster Thats Outgrowing Its Cage
Across the industry, operators are grappling with AI’s insatiable appetite for power, cooling, and space. Onnec’s research found that 92% of data centre professionals have seen demand for AI infrastructure surge over the past year, with workloads growing an average of 42%. More than half believe this acceleration could shorten the lifespan of their current facilities.
The solution lies in future-ready design. AI demands are evolving too quickly for short-term planning. Data centres that adopt holistic, modular architecture — considering power, cooling, and cabling as one integrated ecosystem — are better equipped to scale sustainably. Predictive modelling, scenario planning, and design built for expansion can keep this monster from overrunning its cage.
2. The Ghost of Siloed Design
Many of the most chilling problems in the data centre world stem from siloed design. Onnec’s findings reveal that operators are struggling with projects where electrical, cooling, cabling, and IT teams work in isolation. The result? Rework, inefficiency, and costly retrofits that emerge far too late in the process.
The answer is integration from the outset. Collaboration across every discipline ensures smoother execution and fewer surprises. Using shared models such as BIM or digital twins helps detect clashes early, while unified oversight and change management keep the whole project on track. It’s not witchcraft — just joined-up thinking.
3. Cabling Gremlins
Few things haunt a data centre like poor cabling. A tangled, mislabelled network can create invisible bottlenecks, intermittent faults, and costly downtime. In our report, 70% of operators warned that poor-quality cabling will compromise AI readiness, citing skills shortages, supply chain delays, and cost-cutting as the key culprits.
The solution begins with discipline. Cabling should be treated as critical infrastructure, not an afterthought. High-performance materials, clear labelling, precise documentation, and trained installation teams make the difference between chaos and control. Future-proof designs that allow for additional capacity and redundancy ensure that the ghosts of poor cabling don’t return to haunt operations later.
4. Haunted by the Skills Gap
Even the best designs falter without skilled people to deliver them. 79% of operators believe skills shortages will delay upcoming projects. A lack of certified engineers and experienced installation teams is one of the biggest risks to meeting growing AI demand.
The answer lies in long-term investment in people and partnerships. Apprenticeships, academies, vendor partnerships, and diversity initiatives broaden the pipeline, creating clear career paths, improving retention, and preparing a workforce to support AI growth.
5. Surviving Supply Chain Scares
Supply chain volatility has become another real-world nightmare. Onnec’s data shows that 69% of operators are feeling the impact of tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, and material shortages, all driving up costs and extending project timelines. Some are even running out of suitable locations for expansion as AI demand accelerates.
The best defence is proactive supply management. Diversified sourcing, forward planning, and collaboration with partners who have global reach can help absorb disruption. By locking in long-lead items early and forecasting future needs with precision, operators can stay one step ahead of the wraith that feeds on delay.
From Nightmares to Peace of Mind
The IT professionals and data centre leaders who thrive in this environment are those who plan for the unknown — those who see beyond today’s workloads and build with flexibility, quality, and collaboration in mind.
At Onnec, we believe the scariest problems can be solved with thoughtful design, skilled people, and trusted partnerships. So, this Halloween, while others chase ghosts and ghouls, you can rest easy knowing your data centre is protected from the true horrors that haunt IT.
About ONNEC
Onnec is a leading IT Infrastructure Solutions and Services company for tech and enterprise, specialising in structured cabling, managed services, and network solutions. Our team of experienced designers, project managers, and engineers, supported by world-class vendor partnerships, delivers top-tier services and solutions.
Onnec’s expertise spans all data centre environments and can support customers with:
- Structured cabling design and installation
- Installation of cabling, ODFs, PDUs, GPU’s and containment solutions
- Network hardware installations, changes and support
- Connectivity and equipment upgrades and changes
- Smart Hands support services
