A system and method for managing the temperature of a data center is disclosed in which a target computer system is identified. The target computer system is the system that requires access or service. The operation of the computer systems in the vicinity of the target computer system is modified to reduce the temperature in the vicinity of the target computer system or along the pathway between the entrance to the data center and the target computer system. After the target computer system is accessed or serviced, the computer systems in the vicinity of the target computer system or along the pathway between the entrance to the data center and the target computer system can be returned to their original state.