This is part one of a three-part series discussing the pain points of building and managing data centers.
Data Center Hardware Is Evolving Quickly
Data centers are changing fast. Higher rack densities, AI workloads, high-performance computing, cloud expansion, and sustainability expectations are forcing hardware manufacturers to rethink how servers, racks, cabinets, cooling systems, and purification systems are designed and built.
For IT and technology hardware manufacturers, the challenge is not only to build more powerful systems. The challenge is to build systems that are reliable, scalable, thermally efficient, serviceable, and ready for demanding data center environments.
This creates significant pressure for several types of OEMs, including:
- Tier 2 server manufacturers
- Cabinet and rack manufacturers
- Water purification system manufacturers
- Air purification and filtration system manufacturers
- Cooling system manufacturers
- Control and electrical system manufacturers
Western Integrated Technologies, also known as WIT, supports these manufacturers with hydraulic, pneumatic, fluid conveyance, filtration, automation, fabrication, kitting, and repair capabilities that can help improve reliability and reduce production friction.
Pain Point 1: Supply Chain Disruption and Long Component Lead Times
Data center hardware manufacturers often work under aggressive production schedules. When fittings, hoses, couplings, tubing, valves, filtration components, control products, or electrical assemblies are delayed, the impact can ripple across production.
This is especially difficult for Tier 2 server manufacturers and specialized rack/cabinet manufacturers that may not have the same direct purchasing leverage as larger global OEMs. A single missing component can delay a server platform, rack system, cabinet assembly, cooling module, or purification skid.
Solution: Strengthen the Component Supply Chain
OEMs need access to qualified alternatives, local inventory, and experienced technical support. Rather than relying on one product path, manufacturers can reduce risk by working with suppliers who understand equivalent specifications, material compatibility, connection standards, and application requirements.
WIT helps support this need by offering access to Parker products and other industrial brands, along with local technical expertise. For OEMs, this can help reduce delays when a specified component is unavailable or when a qualified replacement is needed to keep production moving.
Pain Point 2: Thermal Management Is Becoming More Complex
As data center workloads increase, server and rack-level heat loads are rising. Traditional air cooling may not be enough for high-density applications, especially AI and high-performance computing environments.
This creates design challenges for OEMs building:
- Liquid-cooled servers
- Rear-door heat exchanger systems
- Direct-to-chip cooling systems
- Coolant distribution assemblies
- High-density rack systems
- Water and air purification systems
Liquid cooling requires careful attention to coolant compatibility, pressure drop, flow rate, leak prevention, connection integrity, and serviceability.
Solution: Use Reliable Fluid Conveyance and Connection Technologies
For liquid-cooled data center equipment, the performance of hoses, tubing, fittings, valves, seals, and quick disconnect couplings matters. These components must support high uptime expectations while allowing systems to be assembled, tested, shipped, installed, and serviced efficiently.
Parker’s data center liquid cooling technologies include quick disconnects, thermal management fittings, and fluid connection solutions designed for electronics, servers, and supercomputing applications. WIT can help OEMs evaluate fluid conveyance needs, including hose assemblies, fittings, adapters, quick couplings, tubing, and related components.
Pain Point 3: Cleanliness and Contamination Control
Electronics manufacturing and data center cooling systems require clean, controlled environments. Contaminants in cooling loops, water purification systems, or air handling systems can reduce performance and increase maintenance risk.
For water purification OEMs, impurities can contribute to scaling, corrosion, reduced heat transfer, and premature component wear. For air purification manufacturers, filtration performance directly affects the cleanliness of sensitive operating environments.
Solution: Build Filtration Into the Design
Clean fluid and clean air are central to data center reliability. OEMs should evaluate filtration early in the design process, especially for cooling loops, water treatment systems, process water, compressed air, and HVAC-related applications.
WIT provides access to filtration products for hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, air, and industrial systems. This allows OEMs to select filtration solutions that support system cleanliness, equipment protection, and long-term operating reliability.
Pain Point 4: Customization Without Production Inefficiency
Many Tier 2 hardware manufacturers compete by offering customization, flexibility, and tailored configurations. That creates an advantage in the market, but it can also complicate production.
Common challenges include:
- Custom hose lengths
- Custom cable or hose routing
- Custom rack assemblies
- Small-batch build requirements
- Application-specific fittings
- Repetitive assembly tasks
- Inventory complexity
- Increased quality control burden
Solution: Use Custom Kitting, Hose Fabrication, and Subassemblies
Custom kitting and prebuilt subassemblies can help manufacturers reduce production time and improve consistency. Instead of sourcing each item separately, OEMs can work with WIT to support repeatable assemblies and build programs.
WIT’s capabilities include hose assemblies, custom fabrication, engineering support, build programs, kitting services, and system manufacturing. These services can help OEMs simplify production while maintaining flexibility for application-specific requirements.
Pain Point 5: Reliability and Quality Control
Data center components operate in environments where failure is costly. Server hardware, cooling systems, racks, filtration systems, and electrical controls must be reliable, repeatable, and easy to maintain.
For OEMs, quality issues can lead to warranty claims, production delays, field failures, reputation damage, and customer dissatisfaction.
Solution: Specify Proven Components and Repeatable Assemblies
High-quality components and consistent assembly practices help reduce variability. Using proven hose, fitting, coupling, filtration, pneumatic, and control products helps OEMs build systems that are more reliable in the field.
WIT supports manufacturers with product selection, technical guidance, hose and fitting solutions, filtration products, pneumatic components, and repair services. For OEMs with recurring builds, WIT can also help develop repeatable component packages and assemblies.
Pain Point 6: Maintenance of the Manufacturing Facility
OEMs also need to maintain the equipment used to manufacture data center hardware. Downtime in the production facility can slow output, disrupt delivery schedules, and increase operating costs.
Common facility and production maintenance concerns include:
- Pump failures
- Motor failures
- Pneumatic system issues
- Hydraulic equipment problems
- Filtration system maintenance
- Hose and fitting failures
- Control and automation issues
Solution: Combine Component Supply with Repair and Maintenance Support
A reliable MRO partner can help manufacturers keep their production equipment operating. WIT supports industrial customers with hydraulic and pneumatic products, filtration, pumps, motors, valves, hoses, fittings, automation products, repair services, and engineering support.
This combination of product availability and service capability helps OEMs address both product build needs and internal maintenance needs.
WIT Products and Services for Data Center Hardware OEMs
WIT can support IT and technology hardware manufacturers with products and services that address cooling, reliability, production efficiency, and maintenance needs.
Relevant WIT Product Areas
- Parker hose and fittings
- Hydraulic and pneumatic hose assemblies
- Quick couplings and adapters
- Tubing and piping
- Filtration products
- Pneumatic components
- Valves
- Pumps and motors
- Heat exchangers and cooling system components
- System monitoring products
- Automation products
- Electrical control panels
- Components for fluid conveyance and thermal management
Relevant WIT Services
- Hose assembly fabrication
- Custom kitting
- Engineering support
- System design and fabrication
- Hydraulic and pneumatic system manufacturing
- Custom control panels
- Build programs
- Repair services
- Local ParkerStore support
- Product sourcing and technical support
Partner With WIT
Data center hardware OEMs need solutions that improve uptime, reduce supply chain friction, support clean and efficient cooling, and simplify production. WIT helps manufacturers solve these challenges with Parker products, fluid conveyance expertise, filtration solutions, automation capabilities, and value-added services.
Whether you manufacture servers, cabinets, racks, cooling systems, or purification equipment, WIT can help you build more reliable systems for the next generation of data centers.
