How Will Salute & MCIM Partner on Liquid Cooling Solutions?

Salute and MCIM have announced a partnership focused on improving operational intelligence for data centres deploying direct-to-chip liquid cooling. 

The agreement brings MCIM into Salute’s ecosystem of technology partners supporting its Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling Operations service, which targets the operational challenges created by high-density AI and high-performance computing deployments.

The partnership centres on providing data centre operators with stronger visibility and control as rack densities increase and liquid cooling becomes more common. 

MCIM’s operational intelligence platform integrates with Salute’s service model to support facilities that require precise execution, continuous monitoring and reduced operational risk. 

Both companies already support Applied Digital’s AI and HPC facilities, bringing shared experience of operating liquid-cooled environments at scale.

Direct-to-chip operations for AI and HPC

Salute positions its Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling Operations service as a response to the complexity of running AI and HPC data centres. 

Direct-to-chip cooling refers to the delivery of liquid coolant directly to processors such as graphics processing units or GPUs, removing heat more efficiently than traditional air-based systems.

This approach supports higher compute densities but introduces new operational risks linked to fluid management, monitoring and maintenance.

Through its partner ecosystem, Salute combines operational processes, training and staffing with specialist technologies.

The addition of MCIM strengthens this model by embedding a unified operational platform that captures telemetry, workflows and asset data across the facility. 

The companies state that this integration helps operators accelerate readiness while reducing the risks associated with liquid-cooled infrastructure.

MCIM’s platform is already deployed across more than 6.5GW of IT capacity worldwide and manages over one million critical data centre assets. 

It is used by three of the top four global colocation providers and is designed to unify IT and operational technology workflows in environments where cooling systems and compute platforms are closely coupled.

Integrated operating model

Under the partnership, Salute provides on-the-ground execution, including operational procedures, training and access to specialist staff experienced in liquid-cooled facilities. 

MCIM delivers portfolio-level governance and real-time operational intelligence through a single platform.

The combined model is designed to remove data silos and provide a consistent view of performance from individual racks through to the wider portfolio.

Salute and MCIM state that this approach allows operators to deploy AI and HPC infrastructure faster while maintaining tighter control over operational and financial risk.

The partnership is positioned as purpose-built for facilities where densities are high and tolerance for downtime is low.

John Shultz, Chief Product Officer AI and Learning Officer for Salute, says: "AI/HPC computing requires an entirely new approach to data centre operations because of the requirements of GPUs and the risks of DTC liquid cooling. 

“Together, Salute and MCIM are able to help data centre operators protect their investments in AI by mitigating significant operational and financial risks. 

“MCIM provides powerful visibility that delivers insights for optimising operations and eliminating risks. That is even more powerful when you combine it with Salute’s industry-leading operational model for DTC operations, our proven training capabilities and our ability to provide staffing with difficult-to-find expertise. Together, we can help organisations achieve and maintain operational excellence.”

Combining operational data with trained teams allows issues to be identified and addressed earlier, according to Salute.

This includes monitoring coolant flow, thermal performance and asset health across high-density rooms where failures can escalate quickly.

Operational intelligence at scale

MCIM frames the partnership as a response to the speed and scale of AI infrastructure buildouts.

Its platform aggregates data across assets and sites, enabling consistent workflows and real-time insight for operators managing complex environments.

Mike Parks, CEO of MCIM, says: “AI is redefining what ‘mission critical’ means. The speed and scale of this buildout demand more than hardware and headcount. 

“They demand a new operational model. Together, Salute and MCIM are delivering that model, where every person, process, and asset is connected, visible, and performing to plan.”