Zurich-based industrial-equipment conglomerate ABB Group recently launched the second version of its data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software Decathlon.

Like other heavyweights in the relatively new space, ABB is trying to make its DCIM solution as comprehensive in its data center monitoring and control capabilities as possible. Decathlon Version 2’s capabilities range from monitoring CPU utilization of a specific server to controlling cooling and power distribution at the facility level.

ABB’s competitors in the DCIM space include the French giant Schneider Electric, US-based electrical-gear vendor Emerson Network Power, management-software firm CA Technologies and a host of smaller companies.

ABB has partnered with one of those smaller companies to add features to Decathlon. The company announced in February it would embed the entire DCIM suite by nlyte as part of the Decathlon package.

While considered a major opportunity in the US and European markets, companies take DCIM in emerging markets seriously as well.

ABB has dedicated its first data-center-focused office in Asia Pacific entirely to Decathlon sales. The company announced opening of the office in Singapore in February.

An important feature of Decathlon is its ability to talk to a variety of building management systems (BMS), energy management systems or other monitoring systems by other companies. The company says its software can interface with solutions from all leading suppliers.

Not that it has to. Decathlon can perform BMS functions natively, according to ABB.

Along with real-time power and cooling monitoring capabilities, Decathlon has asset management features common in DCIM solutions. It knows, for example, where a particular server is located, how it is connected, what it’s CPU utilization rate is and other parameters.

Based on data it collects, Decathlon determines the best spots to put new servers in. It can also forecast effects of additions, moves or changes inside the data center.