As e-commerce and supermarket giants continue to scale across New Zealand and Australia, distribution centres (DCs) are evolving into high-tech, high-volume operations. These are no longer just warehouses—they are data-driven logistics hubs where uptime, automation, and scalability directly impact delivery speed and customer satisfaction.
To keep pace, the IT infrastructure that underpins these facilities needs to be just as intelligent and robust. The challenge? Integrating high-performance IT systems across large, often harsh, industrial environments—without compromising on reliability or efficiency.
Key Challenges in DC IT Infrastructure
Modern distribution centres face a unique set of infrastructure demands, especially when it comes to IT systems that support automation, order fulfilment, and real-time inventory visibility. Common issues include:
- Localised Field Distribution: With expansive floor space, it’s impractical to run all IT cabling from a central hub. Instead, localised IT field distribution points are needed to extend connectivity while protecting network components from warehouse dust, temperature fluctuations, and potential damage.
- IT Security & Redundancy: A resilient, climate-controlled server room is essential. Whether it’s supporting warehouse management software, conveyor systems or real-time tracking tools, IT systems must be secure and equipped with backup cooling and power systems to avoid downtime that could halt entire operations.
- Seamless Automation Integration: Automated picking, robotics, and AI-driven logistics platforms rely on constant communication with IT systems. Infrastructure must support fast data exchange and operate reliably alongside warehouse automation technologies.
- Environmental Exposure: Heat, dust, and humidity are unavoidable in large DCs. Without proper protection, IT hardware can quickly degrade, shortening the lifespan of essential systems and introducing the risk of failure.
Rittal’s Role in Supporting Warehouse-Ready IT Infrastructure
Rittal offers a suite of purpose-built IT enclosures, cooling technologies, and design services to help logistics operators meet these challenges head-on. These solutions are trusted by global logistics providers and proven in industrial settings.
- IP-Rated IT Enclosures: Rittal’s VX-IT enclosures provide high levels of protection against dust and moisture, making them ideal for decentralised IT points on the warehouse floor.
- Secure Server Racks with Climate Control: Rittal’s climate-controlled server racks help maintain stable internal temperatures and extend equipment life, even in facilities with wide ambient temperature swings.
- Designed for Integration: All Rittal enclosures are built with modularity in mind, making it easier to integrate with automation systems and network infrastructure—without requiring complex customisation.
From Design to Deployment: Smart Planning Services
Rittal goes beyond the hardware. Our team offers a full suite of planning and design tools to help you make the most of your infrastructure investment. These include:
- Detailed site layouts and CAD-ready designs
- Thermal load simulations for optimal cooling
- Customer-specific configuration support
End-to-end infrastructure planning for server rooms and field distribution setups
Our experience across large logistics networks means we can anticipate challenges and recommend scalable, future-proof solutions from the start.
Future-Proofing Distribution Centre IT
By investing in the right infrastructure from day one, DC operators can unlock:
- Increased uptime and system resilience
- Flexible network expansion to match business growth
- Consistent equipment protection against environmental exposure
- Improved operational efficiency through automation-ready IT systems
Let’s Talk Logistics IT
Looking to optimise your next warehouse project? Rittal's industrial-grade IT solutions are designed to perform in the most demanding logistics environments today and into the future.