GDT Opens Production AI Laboratory in Dallas
The new facility allows businesses to test generative AI models on high-speed hardware ahead of a planned 2027 acquisition.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Data Centers
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GDT has opened a production-grade AI laboratory at its Dallas headquarters, offering businesses a dedicated environment to test generative AI and large language models. This facility is now open to clients seeking to evaluate and deploy complex AI workloads.
Why it matters
The facility acts as a proving ground for businesses to bridge the gap between AI strategy and production execution. It allows organizations to refine models on enterprise-grade infrastructure before committing to long-term hardware investments.
The lab utilizes a server configured with eight Nvidia H200 graphics processing units and six Cisco Nexus switches, connected via a NetApp all-flash storage system. This infrastructure supports network connection speeds of 100, 200, and 400 gigabits per second.
The players
GDT
A Dallas-based technology firm and systems integrator with 900 employees globally.
Softcat
A United Kingdom-based IT infrastructure provider currently set to acquire GDT for $1.05 billion.
The details
The laboratory provides a production-grade environment where companies can develop, fine-tune, and compare generative AI models. The 900-pound server rack architecture is designed to handle intensive compute cycles by facilitating high-speed data transfer between the H200 units—specialized chips used for accelerated AI training—and the all-flash storage system. This setup ensures that large datasets can be processed, effectively allowing the system to ingest vast libraries of digital materials in sub-second timeframes.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: GDT held an open house for the new Dallas lab.
September 2026: GDT agreed to a $1.05 billion acquisition by Softcat.
Q1 2027: The acquisition of GDT by Softcat is expected to close.
The Tech Race
The lab's launch follows the strategic alignment established by the pending Softcat acquisition, positioning GDT's technical resources within a larger international portfolio. This move mirrors broader industry trends where systems integrators are racing to establish dedicated AI testing environments to support enterprise clients.
Business clients in Dallas can currently access the facility to test and compare generative AI workloads. The lab provides a practical way for local firms to validate model performance on high-end hardware before scaling projects in their own environments.
The takeaway
Businesses looking to refine their AI deployment strategies should monitor how GDT integrates this lab into the larger Softcat ecosystem following the Q1 2027 closing. Keep an eye on future service availability as the pending acquisition transitions from agreement to operation.
Further reading
Explore more facility developments in Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dallas Innovates.
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