TenHats proudly provides IT services to Knoxville and the surrounding region. Brian Strong, our CEO, recently spoke with Julia Hurley on the Connect the Knox Podcast to discuss the essential role IT plays in modern business. Here are the key takeaways on how IT supports operations, drives innovation, and enhances security in today’s competitive market.
What Does TenHats Do?
“TenHats is basically two different companies rolled into one,” explains Brian. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, we offer two primary services:
- Data center hosting
- Managed IT solutions
Our state-of-the-art data center provides secure server housing with redundant power systems and internet connectivity. We cater to businesses of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. “If you’re an industry moving into town, it’s a very unique asset,” says Brian. “One of the 16 major assets that a community needs is good IT infrastructure,” referring to a commonly cited list of critical American infrastructures.
On the managed service provider side, TenHats functions as an IT consulting firm. We offer outsourced IT support for small businesses that may not have dedicated IT staff.
“The ‘ten hats’ is emblematic,” says Brian. It symbolizes our ability to take on multiple IT roles. This allows your business to focus on its core operations while we handle your technology needs.
We provide a range of services including:
- Helpdesk support
- Equipment management
- Email administration
- Data backups
For larger companies with existing IT departments, TenHats can complement your capabilities with strategic advising for IT. By filling in the gaps, we partner with your in-house team to ensure comprehensive IT coverage.
Julia knows that providing this level of IT service is a massive undertaking. She talks with Brian about our current facility and what we expect in the future.
How Big Is Your Facility and Do You Have Plans to Grow?
TenHats operates a substantial 10,000-square-foot data center facility capable of accommodating approximately 400 racks of equipment. While our current facility is spacious, we have the potential to expand its physical footprint if needed.
According to Brian, the primary limiting factor for data center growth is not space, but the amount of power that can be delivered to the floor. This insight reflects our forward-thinking approach. We’re already anticipating the evolving needs of modern businesses, particularly those utilizing power-intensive AI technologies.
As Brian explains:
As AI comes on the scene a lot more, those servers that do AI actually consume a lot more power than the traditional servers that we use for running standard business operations. So we have two 10-megawatt feeds from both sides on two different power grids—two different substations powered by two different sets of power plants. It’s pretty unique.
This emphasizes the importance of power infrastructure, especially with the increasing demands of AI-driven servers. At TenHats, we’ve implemented a robust power system to ensure exceptional redundancy and reliability for your critical data and operations.
IT services and innovations like AI don’t exist in a vacuum. They require massive amounts of power that will only continue to grow as time goes on. Julia asks Brian what to expect as time goes on and what changes need to be made.
What’s the Power Industry Doing as TenHats and Others Increase Demand?
As companies like TenHats increase demand for power due to the rise of AI and other technologies, the power industry faces significant challenges. Brian highlights the issue, saying:
Power is going to be a limited resource as we move forward. I don’t blame TVA or anything like that. It’s just the forecast of AI that those servers are consuming four times the amount of power—there’s an estimation over the next two to three years that data centers will consume a third of the power in the world.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and other power providers are under pressure to balance the growing demand for electricity with the need for greener energy solutions. Building new power facilities requires a long-term horizon of 10 to 20 years, which complicates meeting immediate demands.
Additionally, the push for cleaner energy sources adds regulatory constraints. This makes it difficult to keep up with the rapid increase in power consumption driven by data centers and electric vehicles (EVs).
Power companies are navigating a complex landscape, needing to innovate and expand capacity while adhering to environmental regulations. As Brian puts it, “The technology has to evolve. Something’s got to give at some point.”
It’s no secret that Knoxville is growing. With roots so firmly planted in the area, Julia talks with Brian about what role TenHats will play as the city grows and changes.
What’s TenHats’ Role in the Growth of Knoxville?
TenHats is playing a pivotal role in the growth of Knoxville. We’re providing essential IT infrastructure and support that enables local businesses to compete, thrive, and grow.
According to Brian:
In the past, technology was one of those things that you had to have. It was a necessary evil. In today’s time, technology is becoming essential and it’s becoming a competitive advantage. I like to say that we all run technology companies. They just happen to be in different industries.
By offering comprehensive data center services and managed IT solutions, we’re helping ensure that businesses in Knoxville have access to reliable and scalable technology infrastructure. Additionally, our managed services include the support you need. This support is crucial for small businesses and larger enterprises, fostering a technologically advanced and competitive business environment in Knoxville.
TenHats in Knoxville, Tennessee, offers data center hosting and managed IT solutions. Our advanced data center provides secure server housing for businesses of all sizes, while our managed services support small businesses lacking dedicated IT staff. TenHats symbolizes versatility, enabling you to focus on core operations while we manage your technology needs.
