I Led Data Center Delivery and Controls at Google, NTT & Microsoft – This Is the Platform I Always Wanted

20 May 2025

After decades in the data center and semiconductor industries – leading global portfolios at Microsoft, NTT, and Google – I’ve seen firsthand how complex construction projects can become. The data center construction landscape is evolving rapidly, but it still faces a persistent challenge: a lack of real-time, objective visibility.

Whether it’s delivering a single facility or managing an international portfolio, the obstacles are the same: resource shortages, fragmented data, supply chain disruptions, and ever-changing technical requirements. Throughout my career, we built impressive systems – but we never truly solved the visibility and objectivity problem.

Until now.

Discovering XYZ Reality: A Game-Changer for Project Delivery

I was first introduced to XYZ Reality through word of mouth – a few trusted voices mentioned this breakthrough in augmented reality for construction. Intrigued, I reached out to David Mitchell, and we met at a PTC event. He handed me a headset and gave me a live demo of what the XYZ platform could do. Within minutes, I realized I was looking at something truly transformative.

The XYZ platform is more than a headset – it’s a real-time construction delivery platform that lets you see what’s happening right now on your construction site, compare it with your 3D model, and act on it immediately. And the best part? It’s objective. It’s hands-off.

It’s a fully managed service powered by the data captured onsite through the headset – continuously surfacing insights to teams in real time, without the need for manual input or interpretation.

No guesswork, no conflicting reports, no resource requirement, no delays in data – just the reality of the progress on the projects.

Real-Time Construction Data Changes the Game

In my time leading global construction and program controls at Microsoft and Google, we built and managed some of the world’s most advanced data centers. But even with the best teams and systems, we struggled with inaccurate or outdated data.

Reporting was inconsistent. “Percent complete” estimates were subjective. And by the time we caught issues, they had already cost us time and money. We even built contingency buffers into our CPM schedules – not because we wanted to, but because we didn’t have the confidence to remove them.

XYZ Reality’s platform addresses this head-on. With real-time data captured directly from the field, you can:

• Eliminate rework by identifying quality issues early

• Track construction progress objectively including earned value and cash flow

• Drill into specific projects or tasks across a global portfolio

• Improve resource allocation and reduce waste.

And because this insight is gathered by XYZ professionals and managed by the platform, it frees teams to focus on delivery – not data wrangling.

It’s not just helpful – it’s essential.

Reducing Risk and Increasing Predictability

Every owner, contractor and developer I know would agree: predictability is gold. Whether you're building a 100MW data center or a hospital wing, knowing that you can deliver on time and on budget is what defines your reputation.

The benefits of XYZ’s platform are clear across the board:

• For Contractors: Time is money. Being able to reduce delays and move teams efficiently from project to project directly improves profitability.

• For Developers and Owners: Predictable project delivery means earlier revenue realization, stronger client trust, and reduced reputational risk.

• For Executives and Investors: Real-time insights into progress and quality support better financial forecasting and decision-making.

By aggregating all this into one construction intelligence platform, XYZ Reality enables leaders to act proactively instead of reactively.

Accelerating Time to Market in the Data Center Industry

One of the most compelling advantages of real-time construction delivery platforms like XYZ’s is the ability to accelerate time to market. In data center construction, every day of delay can equate to significant revenue loss.

Previously, to hedge against uncertainty, owners like myself would build some “float” into schedules – padding timelines to absorb inevitable delays. But with the visibility and confidence XYZ provides, we can shrink those buffers, condense schedules, and get to revenue faster.

It’s a level of confidence that comes from having accurate, site-captured data surfaced for you – no additional lift required from the team.

In a competitive sector where growth and customer demands are accelerating, too many projects continue to fall behind schedule and over budget. That’s what makes this a major differentiator.

Why I Joined XYZ Reality as a Strategic Advisor

I’ve spent most of my career working on the cutting edge of construction and infrastructure. I’ve led global teams, delivered mission-critical facilities, and navigated every kind of market fluctuation. And after all of that, I chose to align myself with XYZ Reality because I genuinely believe this platform is the future of construction delivery.

There’s no other platform I know that offers this level of real-time, spatially accurate, objective construction insight – all in one place.

Final Thoughts: It's Time to Expect More from Construction Technology

To the construction industry – especially those building data centers, hospitals, and critical infrastructure – here’s my advice: stop settling for outdated processes and siloed information… or trying to patch together a bunch of disintegrated partial solutions. Expect more from your tools. Demand visibility. Prioritize predictability.

XYZ Reality offers what many of us only dreamed of during our careers: a clear line of sight into progress, quality, and risk. If you're serious about building smarter, faster, and better – this is where you start.

Want to know why I believe XYZ Reality is transforming how we deliver construction projects?

Check out my full interview with XYZ Reality on their YouTube channel, where I share the story behind my journey and why I see this platform as a true game-changer for the industry.

🎥 Plus, explore a wide range of videos and webinars here: xyzreality.com/resource-type/video.

You don’t have to just take my word – or XYZ's – for it. Hear directly from Contractors, Developers, and Owners who are using the platform to gain a real competitive edge.

If you’re even a little curious about what the future of construction looks like, I genuinely encourage you to see it for yourself.

Book a no-obligation demo with XYZ Reality. Get hands-on. Ask the tough questions. See how real-time, objective data can help you build smarter, faster, and with confidence.

You can thank me later. 😊

This article first appeared over on our LinkedIn here.