About

Founded in 1987, DataSite pioneered the field of data center monitoring—becoming the first company in the world dedicated exclusively to it. From the beginning, DataSite broke new ground, delivering the first PC-based system capable of monitoring all data center systems, regardless of manufacturer.

At the time, there was no internet and no

Founded in 1987, DataSite pioneered the field of data center monitoring—becoming the first company in the world dedicated exclusively to it. From the beginning, DataSite broke new ground, delivering the first PC-based system capable of monitoring all data center systems, regardless of manufacturer.

At the time, there was no internet and no local area networks—only mainframes, terminals, modems, and a lot of wire. Monitoring, when it existed at all, was limited, fragmented, and system-specific. DataSite changed that.

We introduced color-graphic monitoring at a time when text-only systems were the norm, bringing clarity and visibility to complex environments. For the first time, all critical data center information could be viewed in one place—continuously monitored, 24/7, without interruption.

Today, DataSite remains a market leader, continuing to advance product design and technology while supporting customers around the world. With systems deployed globally, we bring decades of proven reliability to modern data centers.

DataSite has been delivering data center monitoring solutions longer than anyone else in the industry—and we continue to provide the most reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly systems available today.

DataSite was founded in 1987 to solve a problem that plagued data centers at the time: there was no centralized monitoring.

In those early days, a typical data center relied on walls filled with individual monitoring devices—lights, horns, and alarms—each tied to a single system. 

Every piece of equipment spoke a different “language,” and o

DataSite was founded in 1987 to solve a problem that plagued data centers at the time: there was no centralized monitoring.

In those early days, a typical data center relied on walls filled with individual monitoring devices—lights, horns, and alarms—each tied to a single system. 

Every piece of equipment spoke a different “language,” and operators were left to manage issues one system at a time. No one in the IT world had figured out how to bring all of that information together into one unified view.

DataSite’s founder came from the industrial controls world, working with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), where centralized monitoring was already standard. The insight was simple but powerful: apply proven industrial control technology to the data center environment. For the first time, customers could connect all systems to a single controller and monitor everything through a PC-based application—technology that had never before been used in IT operations.

At the time, IT professionals were accustomed to green or amber text-only displays. Color graphics were unheard of. DataSite introduced visual, graphical monitoring that made complex systems instantly understandable. As we liked to say then—and still believe today—a picture is worth a thousand words.

One of DataSite’s first major projects was with Pillsbury Corporation, a milestone engagement that firmly established the company’s credibility. Competing against industry giants like Honeywell, Trane, and Johnson Controls, DataSite was still a small operation—two people working out of a garage.

Pillsbury knew exactly what it wanted. They hired a former engineer to develop a detailed monitoring specification and requested sample screen layouts as part of the proposal. In 1989, professional tools were not easily accessible; DataSite rented a laser printer to ensure the proposal met expectations and worked through the night to meet the deadline. For the live demo, even the graphics were handcrafted—pixel by pixel. When an alarm was triggered and the iconic Pillsbury Doughboy’s smile turned into a frown, the room erupted. It was unlike anything they had ever seen.

DataSite was awarded the contract and later told that its proposal stood “head and shoulders” above the rest. Pillsbury recognized that DataSite truly understood their needs—and delivered on them. The relationship lasted for many years.

That success was followed by a system installation for Northwest Airlines, again winning out over much larger competitors. At the time, a one-megawatt data center seemed massive. Today, facilities are often fifty times larger—and DataSite continues to meet the challenge.

Soon after, DataSite was called in by Cray Research, the world’s first supercomputer builder. Their Minneapolis data center—then the most powerful in the world—had struggled for five years with a monitoring system that never worked. Within six months of engaging DataSite, they had a fully functional system and complete visibility into their operations.

From those early breakthroughs to today’s global deployments, DataSite has continually evolved alongside the data center industry. Decades later, we remain committed to innovation—and to delivering the most reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly monitoring systems on the market.

When DataSite was formed, our mission was to provide the most reliable, cost-effective and user-friendly monitoring system on the market.  And while the game has changed in ways we could not have imagined, our mission remains the same! 

Reliability and cost-effectiveness are easy when you utilize the best hardware and best software availab

When DataSite was formed, our mission was to provide the most reliable, cost-effective and user-friendly monitoring system on the market.  And while the game has changed in ways we could not have imagined, our mission remains the same! 

Reliability and cost-effectiveness are easy when you utilize the best hardware and best software available from leading manufacturers around the world. 

But the real key to our success is our people! You will never find a harder working group of people anywhere.  And the simple reason is that everyone at DataSite loves what they do! As the old saying goes: “if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”.