Data Center Facilities Companies and Go-to-Market Strategy (GTM) for Growth
Data Center Facilities Companies and Go-to-Market Strategy (GTM) for Growth
Are you part of a data center facilities company?
Do you work on a go-to-market team that needs a better GTM strategy to achieve your company’s growth goals? Across all relevant areas -- including sales, marketing, customer success, product, channel partnerships, and executive leadership?
With the growing popularity of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), the Internet of Things (IoT), hybrid cloud services, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and software as a service (SaaS), the need to securely store this information is also rising.
However, efficiently and effectively reaching their target market has often been a go-to-market challenge for facilities-related companies that market and sell to or partner with enterprise data centers and data center providers.
Data center facilities are specialized physical locations designed to house and manage the critical IT infrastructure of companies, organizations, and service providers. These facilities play a central role in the modern digital landscape by providing a secure and controlled environment for storing, processing, and managing vast data and computing resources.
At their core, data centers are massive warehouses filled with rows of servers, networking equipment, and storage devices. They are equipped with advanced cooling and ventilation systems to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, ensuring the efficient operation of the hardware. Redundancy measures such as backup power supplies, generators, and uninterruptible power systems (UPS) are put in place to minimize downtime and protect against power outages.
Security is a top concern in data center facilities. They feature multiple layers of physical security, including access controls, surveillance cameras, and biometric authentication -- and often require authorized personnel to go through rigorous security protocols. These measures safeguard the valuable data stored within the facility.
Data centers are strategically located to ensure low-latency connectivity to their target audience. Companies may build their data centers near their users or establish a network of data centers in different geographic regions to provide redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward green and energy-efficient data centers, which aim to reduce environmental impact by optimizing power consumption and cooling methods. As data demands continue to grow, data center facilities remain a critical infrastructure component in the digital age, supporting cloud services, eCommerce, streaming platforms, and various other online applications and services.
What Are the Different Kinds of Data Center Facilities Companies?
Data center facilities companies ensure the efficient, safe, and reliable operation of data centers.
Facilities companies collectively address various aspects of data center infrastructure, including cleanliness, cooling systems, energy efficiency, engineering design, environmental monitoring, fire protection, flooring solutions, maintenance services, monitoring technologies, power management, physical security, and sustainability practices.
Together, they play crucial roles in maintaining data center facilities' functionality, security, and sustainability, which are the backbone of modern digital operations.
Data Center Cleaning
Data center cleaning companies provide essential services to maintain the cleanliness and optimal functioning of data centers. Here's an overview of what these companies do:
- Remove Dust and Debris: Data centers are highly sensitive environments, and even tiny dust particles can disrupt operations. Data center cleaning companies use specialized equipment and techniques to remove dust and debris from server racks, cabinets, raised floors, and other critical areas.
- Prevent Overheating: Dust and contaminants can accumulate on servers and cooling equipment, blocking airflow and causing overheating. Cleaning companies ensure that these components remain free of obstructions, reducing the risk of equipment failures and downtime.
- Improve Air Quality: Clean air is crucial for maintaining the integrity of data center hardware. Data center cleaning companies focus on air quality control to prevent pollutants from circulating within the facility, safeguarding equipment and personnel health.
- Enhance Energy Efficiency: A clean data center is more energy-efficient. Cleaning services help organizations reduce energy consumption and associated costs by removing obstructions and ensuring that cooling systems operate optimally.
- Support Compliance and Standards: Many industries have strict regulations regarding data center cleanliness, especially in sectors like healthcare and finance. Data center cleaning companies ensure that facilities meet these standards, helping clients avoid potential legal and regulatory issues.
- Reduce Downtime: Regular cleaning and maintenance by professionals help prevent unexpected outages due to equipment failures. This proactive approach saves businesses significant costs associated with downtime and data loss.
- Preserve Hardware Lifespan: Clean and well-maintained hardware tends to have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and saving organizations money in the long run.
- Customize Cleaning Plans: Cleaning companies often create customized cleaning schedules tailored to each data center's specific needs and operational requirements. This approach ensures that cleaning activities do not disrupt critical operations.
Data center cleaning companies play a vital role in maintaining data center facilities' reliability, efficiency, and compliance. Their specialized services help organizations protect their investments in IT infrastructure, reduce operational risks, and ensure the uninterrupted availability of data and services to support their business operations.
Data Center Cooling
Data center cooling companies play a crucial role in ensuring that enterprise data centers and data center providers can maintain the optimal operating conditions for their IT equipment. Here's an overview of what these companies do for these facilities:
- Design a Cooling System: Data center cooling companies design customized cooling solutions that cater to the specific needs and layout of data centers. This includes selecting the right cooling technologies, such as precision air conditioning, hot/cold aisle containment, or liquid cooling, to manage temperature and humidity efficiently.
- Help With Energy Efficiency: These companies focus on energy-efficient cooling solutions to reduce power consumption and operational costs. Optimizing cooling systems helps data centers minimize their environmental impact and improve sustainability.
- Control Temperature: A consistent temperature within the data center is essential to prevent overheating and equipment failures. Cooling experts monitor temperature variations and implement measures to ensure a stable environment.
- Manage Airflow: Effective airflow management is critical for cooling efficiency. Data center cooling companies use techniques like airflow analysis, containment systems, and air distribution solutions to optimize cooling throughout the facility.
- Maintain Cooling Systems: Regular cooling equipment maintenance is essential to prevent breakdowns. These companies offer preventive maintenance services to keep cooling systems running smoothly and reduce the risk of downtime.
- Scale Growth: As data center needs grow, cooling solutions must scale accordingly. Cooling experts assess data center expansion requirements and implement solutions to accommodate increased heat loads while maintaining efficiency.
- Respond to Emergencies: In the event of cooling system failures or unexpected overheating, data center cooling companies provide rapid response services to mitigate risks and minimize downtime.
- Support Compliance and Reporting: Data center cooling experts help data center providers adhere to industry standards and temperature and humidity control regulations. Cooling companies often provide detailed reports on cooling system performance and compliance.
Data center cooling companies are instrumental in creating and maintaining the optimal environmental conditions for the reliable and efficient operation of enterprise data centers and providers. Their expertise in cooling system design, energy efficiency, and proactive maintenance helps ensure critical IT infrastructure functions smoothly while reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Data Center Energy
Data center energy companies optimize energy usage and sustainability for enterprise data centers and data center providers. Here's an overview of what these companies do for data center facilities:
- Assess Energy Efficiency: Data center energy companies conduct thorough assessments to evaluate the energy efficiency of data center operations. They analyze power usage, cooling systems, lighting, and overall energy consumption to identify areas for improvement.
- Source Green Energy: Many data center energy companies assist in sourcing renewable and sustainable energy options, such as solar or wind power, to reduce the carbon footprint of data centers. This transition to cleaner energy sources aligns with sustainability goals and may result in cost savings.
- Oversee Power Management: These companies help optimize power distribution and consumption within data centers. Through technologies like power monitoring, load balancing, and voltage regulation, they ensure energy is used efficiently, reducing waste and lowering operational costs.
- Promote Cooling Efficiency: Efficient cooling is a significant part of energy management in data centers. Energy companies work to improve cooling system designs, implement advanced cooling techniques, and use predictive analytics to maintain optimal temperature while minimizing energy consumption.
- Audit Energy Usage: Regular energy audits are crucial to identify energy-saving opportunities. Data center energy companies conduct audits to pinpoint energy wastage and recommend strategies for improvement.
- Optimize PUE: Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is a crucial metric for data center efficiency. Energy companies aim to lower the PUE by reducing the energy needed for non-computing purposes (like cooling and lighting) relative to the energy used for computing equipment.
- Support Backup Power Efficiency: Ensuring efficient use of backup power systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generators, is vital for data center reliability. Energy experts optimize these systems to minimize energy losses during power outages.
- Report on Environmental Concerns: Data center energy companies often provide detailed environmental reports, including metrics on energy consumption, carbon emissions, and energy efficiency improvements. This reporting helps organizations track progress toward sustainability goals and meet compliance requirements.
Data center energy companies focus on enhancing energy efficiency, sustainability, and reliability for enterprise data centers and data center providers. By implementing energy-efficient technologies and practices, they reduce operational costs, minimize environmental impact, and ensure the uninterrupted availability of critical IT services.
Data Center Engineering
Data center engineering companies play a pivotal role in designing, constructing, and maintaining enterprise data centers' and providers' infrastructure. Here's an overview of their key responsibilities and contributions:
- Design and Plan: Data center engineering companies work closely with clients to create customized data center designs that meet specific business needs. They consider layout, power distribution, cooling systems, and scalability factors to ensure efficient operations.
- Create Efficient Layouts: Engineers optimize the layout of data centers to minimize wasted space and improve airflow, helping to reduce energy consumption and improve cooling efficiency.
- Oversee Power Distribution: They design and implement robust electrical systems to ensure a reliable power supply. This includes backup power solutions like uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generators to prevent downtime during outages.
- Develop Cooling Infrastructure: Data center engineers develop advanced cooling strategies, including hot/cold aisle containment and precision cooling systems, to maintain the equipment's ideal temperature and humidity level.
- Promote Safety and Compliance: Compliance with industry regulations and safety standards is a priority. Data center engineering companies ensure that data centers meet all safety and environmental requirements.
- Plan for Scalability: Data center engineers plan for future growth by designing scalable infrastructure to accommodate additional equipment and capacity.
- Incorporate Energy Efficiency: Engineers implement energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, optimized airflow management, and energy-efficient HVAC systems, to reduce power consumption and operational costs.
- Recommend Security Measures: Security is a top concern, and engineering companies incorporate access control systems, surveillance cameras, and other security measures to protect data center assets.
- Help With Maintenance and Upgrades: Data center engineering companies provide ongoing maintenance services, ensuring equipment remains in peak condition. They also assist with equipment upgrades and replacements to keep the data center current.
- Implement Disaster Recovery Planning: These companies work on disaster recovery planning, ensuring that data centers have backup plans and systems to prevent data loss in case of unexpected events.
- Create and Maintain Documentation: Engineers maintain comprehensive documentation of data center infrastructure, including schematics and layouts, to aid in troubleshooting and future expansion efforts.
- Optimize Costs: Data center engineering companies focus on cost-effective solutions, helping clients make informed decisions that balance performance and budgetary constraints.
Data center engineering companies are instrumental in the entire lifecycle of data center management, from initial design and construction to ongoing maintenance and optimization. Their expertise ensures that data centers are efficient, reliable, and capable of meeting the evolving needs of businesses and organizations.
Data Center Environmental Monitoring
Data center environmental monitoring companies ensure the stability and security of enterprise data centers and those operated by data center providers. Here's an overview of what they do for these facilities:
- Control Temperature and Humidity: These companies monitor and regulate data centers' temperature and humidity levels. Maintaining these conditions within the specified range is essential to prevent equipment overheating and humidity-related damage.
- Manage Air Quality: Ensuring clean air within data centers is vital to protect sensitive equipment. Monitoring for airborne contaminants and implementing air filtration systems helps maintain optimal air quality.
- Develop Early Warning Systems: Data center environmental monitoring companies deploy sophisticated sensors and alarms to detect abnormalities in environmental conditions. Early warnings can prevent equipment failures and downtime by allowing for proactive interventions.
- Detect and Suppress Fires: Fire is a significant threat to data centers. Monitoring companies employ fire detection systems that quickly identify and respond to potential fire hazards. They also integrate fire suppression systems to contain and extinguish fires if necessary.
- Detect Water Leaks: Water damage can be catastrophic for data centers. Monitoring companies utilize specialized sensors to detect leaks, ensuring quick responses to mitigate damage and prevent data loss.
- Monitor Power: Monitoring the power supply and distribution is crucial for data center stability. These companies track power consumption, voltage, and current to identify issues affecting operations.
- Integrate Security: Environmental monitoring is often integrated with overall security systems. This synergy ensures that breaches or unauthorized access are detected promptly, enhancing data center security.
- Monitor Remotely: Many monitoring companies provide remote monitoring services, allowing data center staff and providers to access real-time environmental data and alerts through secure online platforms.
- Support Compliance and Reporting: Data center environmental monitoring companies help ensure data centers meet regulatory and compliance requirements, such as those related to temperature, humidity, and fire safety. They also generate reports to demonstrate compliance to auditors and stakeholders.
- Help With Disaster Recovery: Environmental monitoring is crucial to disaster recovery planning. By providing real-time data and alerts, these companies contribute to minimizing downtime and data loss in emergencies.
- Optimize Efficiency: Monitoring companies provide insights into data center efficiency, helping organizations reduce energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining optimal environmental conditions.
Data center environmental monitoring companies offer comprehensive solutions to safeguard data center environments. They help maintain stable conditions, detect potential threats, and ensure compliance with regulations, ultimately contributing to the reliable and secure operation of data centers for enterprises and data center providers.
Data Center Facilities
Data center facilities companies provide a range of critical services to support the smooth operation and management of enterprise data centers and those operated by data center providers. Here's a breakdown of what these companies do for these facilities:
- Support Design and Construction Projects: Data center facilities companies are involved in the planning, designing, and constructing data centers. They create layouts that optimize space, power, and cooling efficiency to meet clients' specific needs.
- Manage Infrastructure: These companies are responsible for maintaining the physical infrastructure of data centers, including power distribution, cooling systems, and cabling. They ensure that these systems operate reliably and efficiently.
- Control Environmental Factors: Data center facilities experts monitor and control environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, to prevent equipment overheating and damage. They implement cooling solutions like hot/cold aisle containment to optimize airflow.
- Enhance Security: Security is a top priority. Facilities companies install access control systems, surveillance cameras, and other security measures to safeguard data center assets and protect against unauthorized access.
- Develop Redundancy and Reliability: Data center facilities are designed with redundancy in mind to minimize downtime. To ensure continuous operation, these companies implement backup power solutions like uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generators.
- Help With Disaster Recovery: They contribute to disaster recovery planning by designing failover systems and recovery procedures. This support helps mitigate risks and minimize data loss in case of unexpected events.
- Address Maintenance and Upgrades: Maintenance and upgrades are essential for data center facilities. These companies provide regular servicing to keep equipment in peak condition and recommend updating the data center.
- Promote Energy Efficiency: Data center facilities experts focus on energy-efficient solutions to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. They implement technologies like LED lighting and advanced cooling systems to optimize energy usage.
- Scale for Growth: Data centers need to scale as businesses grow. Facilities companies plan for expansion by ensuring the infrastructure can accommodate increased capacity and power requirements.
- Generate Documentation and Reporting: Comprehensive documentation, including schematics and layouts, is maintained to aid in troubleshooting and future expansion efforts. Regular reports on facility performance and compliance are generated.
- Assist With Compliance and Standards: Data center facilities must adhere to industry regulations and standards. Facilities companies ensure data centers meet these requirements, reducing legal and regulatory risks.
Data center facilities companies are essential partners for enterprise data centers and providers. They oversee the entire lifecycle of data center management, from initial design and construction to ongoing maintenance and optimization, ensuring that these critical facilities operate efficiently, securely, and reliably.
Data Center Fire Protection
Data center fire protection companies specialize in safeguarding enterprise data centers and those operated by data center providers against the potentially catastrophic threat of fires. Here's an overview of what these companies do for these facilities:
- Assess Risk: Fire protection companies begin by conducting comprehensive risk assessments of data center facilities. They identify potential fire hazards and vulnerabilities in the infrastructure, allowing them to create tailored fire protection plans.
- Implement Fire Detection Systems: They install state-of-the-art fire detection systems, including smoke detectors, heat sensors, and flame detectors, to promptly identify the presence of a fire or smoke within the data center environment.
- Integrate Alarm and Notification Systems: In the event of a fire, these companies integrate alarm and notification systems that immediately alert data center personnel and relevant authorities. Quick notification is essential for rapid response and damage control.
- Install and Maintain Fire Suppression Systems: Data center fire protection companies design, install, and maintain advanced fire suppression systems like clean agent suppression systems or water mist systems. These systems are designed to extinguish fires without causing harm to sensitive equipment.
- Develop Aisle Containment: To prevent the spread of fires, companies may implement aisle containment strategies that compartmentalize the data center. This approach minimizes the area affected by a potential fire incident.
- Plan for Emergency Response: Fire protection experts help data centers develop and practice emergency response plans. This includes training personnel in fire safety procedures and conducting fire drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of a fire.
- Regularly Inspect and Maintain: Routine inspections and maintenance of fire protection systems are crucial. These companies provide scheduled checks to ensure fire detection and suppression systems remain in working order.
- Help With Compliance and Regulations: Fire protection companies ensure data centers comply with local, national, and international fire safety regulations and codes. This assistance helps organizations avoid legal and regulatory issues.
- Add Risk Mitigation Strategies: Beyond detection and suppression, they advise on risk mitigation strategies such as fire-resistant building materials and properly storing flammable materials within the data center.
- Document and Report: Thorough documentation is maintained, including records of inspections, tests, and maintenance activities. This documentation can be valuable for insurance purposes and regulatory compliance.
Data center fire protection companies are critical in safeguarding data centers from fire-related risks. Their expertise in fire detection, suppression, and risk management ensures the protection of valuable data and equipment, minimizes downtime, and helps data centers meet safety and compliance standards.
Data Center Flooring
Data center flooring companies specialize in providing flooring solutions tailored to the unique needs of enterprise data centers and providers. Here's an overview of what these companies do to support these facilities:
- Design and Install Raised Flooring Systems: Data center flooring companies design and install raised flooring systems that create an elevated space beneath the data center floor. This space allows for the efficient distribution of cooling air, power, and network cabling, enhancing cooling and infrastructure management.
- Manage Cables: They integrate cable management solutions within the flooring systems, ensuring that power and data cables are organized, protected, and easy to access. This service reduces cable congestion and simplifies maintenance.
- Optimize Airflow: Raised flooring systems enable hot/cold aisle containment strategies. Data center flooring companies work to optimize airflow patterns, directing cool air where it's needed most and reducing hotspots within the data center.
- Develop Load-Bearing Capacity: Data center floors must support heavy equipment, including server racks and cooling units. Flooring companies ensure that the raised floor can handle the required loads without compromising stability.
- Incorporate Antistatic and Fire Resistance: Data center flooring must be antistatic to prevent electrostatic discharge, which can harm sensitive electronics. Additionally, it often incorporates fire-resistant materials to enhance safety.
- Customize Solutions: These companies offer flooring solutions tailored to the specific requirements of each data center, considering factors like size, layout, equipment density, and cooling methods.
- Maintain and Repair: Data center flooring companies provide maintenance and repair services to keep the flooring system in optimal condition. This includes addressing any damaged or worn components.
- Scale: As data centers grow, the flooring system must be scalable to accommodate additional equipment and infrastructure. Flooring experts ensure that expansion is possible without significant disruptions.
- Address Environmental Considerations: Data center flooring companies may offer eco-friendly options, contributing to sustainability efforts by using recycled materials or designs that enhance energy efficiency.
- Support Compliance and Standards: These companies ensure that the flooring solutions adhere to industry standards and regulations, especially safety and environmental requirements.
Data center flooring companies provide critical support for enterprise data centers and providers' infrastructure. Their raised flooring systems offer practical benefits like cable management and airflow optimization and contribute to data center operations' overall reliability, efficiency, and safety.
Data Center Maintenance
Data center maintenance companies are essential for the ongoing upkeep and optimal functioning of enterprise data centers and those operated by data center providers. Here's an overview of what these companies do to support these critical facilities:
- Inspect Regularly: Data center maintenance companies conduct routine inspections of the entire facility, including power distribution, cooling systems, security measures, and environmental controls. These inspections help identify potential issues before they escalate into critical problems.
- Perform Preventive Maintenance: They perform scheduled preventive maintenance tasks, such as cleaning air filters, inspecting electrical connections, and testing backup power systems. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of unexpected equipment failures and downtime.
- Address Emergency Repairs: Maintenance companies provide rapid response and repairs to minimize downtime and data loss with equipment failures or other emergencies. This includes troubleshooting and fixing issues with servers, cooling systems, and power distribution.
- Maintain Cooling System: Data center cooling is crucial for equipment reliability. Maintenance companies ensure that cooling systems, such as HVAC units and chillers, operate efficiently and promptly address any cooling-related issues.
- Maintain Power System: To ensure a reliable power supply, they maintain and test uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), generators, and electrical distribution systems to prevent power disruptions.
- Manage Security Updates: Maintenance companies ensure that access control systems, surveillance cameras, and other security measures are up to date and functioning correctly to protect against unauthorized access and breaches.
- Document and Report: Thorough documentation of maintenance activities, including repairs, replacements, and upgrades, is maintained. Reports provide insights into the overall health of the data center and compliance with maintenance schedules.
- Upgrade Hardware: They assist in planning and implementing hardware upgrades and replacements to keep the data center infrastructure current and capable of meeting evolving demands.
- Oversee Environmental Control Maintenance: Regular maintenance of environmental control systems, such as temperature and humidity sensors, ensures that conditions within the data center remain stable and within acceptable parameters.
- Help With Compliance and Standards: Data center maintenance companies ensure that data centers adhere to industry regulations and standards, addressing requirements related to safety, environmental controls, and equipment maintenance.
Data center maintenance companies play a vital role in preserving enterprise data centers’ and providers' reliability and efficiency. Their services encompass preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, security updates, and compliance measures, all of which contribute to critical IT infrastructure's continuous availability and integrity.
Data Center Monitoring
Data center monitoring companies provide essential services to maintain the health, security, and efficiency of enterprise data centers and those managed by data center providers. Here's an overview of what these companies do for these facilities:
- Provide Real-Time Monitoring: They deploy advanced monitoring systems that continuously track various data center parameters in real-time. This includes temperature, humidity, power usage, network traffic, and server performance.
- Setup and Manage Alerting and Notifications: Data center monitoring companies configure alerting systems to notify data center personnel and relevant stakeholders promptly when predefined thresholds or anomalies are detected. Quick notifications help prevent or mitigate potential issues.
- Optimize Performance: Monitoring companies analyze performance data to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies within the data center infrastructure. This monitoring allows for proactive optimization to enhance the overall performance of IT systems.
- Manage Predictive Analysis: Advanced monitoring solutions often incorporate predictive analytics to forecast potential problems, such as equipment failures or capacity overloads. This service enables proactive maintenance and risk mitigation.
- Address Capacity Planning: They provide insights into resource utilization trends, helping data centers plan for future growth and expansion by ensuring that capacity remains aligned with business needs.
- Monitor Security: Data center monitoring extends to security aspects, including intrusion detection, access control, and anomaly detection, to safeguard against security breaches and unauthorized access.
- Oversee Environmental Monitoring: Continuous environmental monitoring ensures that temperature, humidity, and air quality remain within acceptable ranges to protect sensitive IT equipment from damage or overheating.
- Promote Energy Efficiency: Monitoring companies help data centers identify energy-efficient practices by tracking power consumption and recommending improvements to reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
- Report and Analyze: They generate comprehensive reports and analytics that provide valuable insights into data center performance, helping organizations make data-driven decisions for optimization and compliance.
- Help With Compliance and Auditing: Data center monitoring solutions often include features to assist with compliance efforts, helping data centers meet regulatory requirements and standards.
- Provide Remote Access: Many monitoring systems offer remote access capabilities, allowing data center personnel and providers to access real-time data and manage systems from anywhere, enhancing overall operational flexibility.
In summary, data center monitoring companies are pivotal in ensuring enterprise data centers’ and providers' reliability, security, and efficiency. Their comprehensive monitoring solutions offer insights, early warnings, and performance optimization capabilities crucial in today's dynamic IT environments.
Data Center Power
Data center power companies specialize in ensuring a reliable and efficient power supply for enterprise data centers and data center providers. Here's an overview of what these companies do to support these critical facilities:
- Design Power Distribution: Data center power companies design power distribution systems tailored to the specific needs of data centers. They create layouts that optimize the flow of electricity to servers, networking equipment, and other critical infrastructure.
- Plan Redundancy: Ensuring uninterrupted power is crucial. Power experts develop redundancy plans, integrating backup power solutions like uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), generators, and automatic transfer switches to prevent downtime during power outages.
- Manage Energy Efficiency: Data center power companies focus on energy-efficient solutions to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. They implement power monitoring, voltage regulation, and intelligent power management to optimize energy usage.
- Balance Loads: Proper load balancing prevents overloads and maintains power stability. Power experts ensure that power distribution systems distribute loads evenly to prevent disruptions.
- Ensure Power Quality: They monitor and maintain power quality, addressing issues like voltage spikes, surges, and harmonics. These problems can damage equipment, so power companies work to ensure clean and stable power.
- Respond to Emergencies: In the event of power-related emergencies or failures, these companies provide rapid response services to mitigate risks and minimize downtime.
- Scale: As data centers expand, power requirements grow. Power companies plan for scalability by designing systems accommodating increased capacity and power needs.
- Monitor and Report: Data center power experts offer monitoring solutions that provide real-time data on power consumption, voltage levels, and energy efficiency. They also generate reports for compliance and performance analysis.
- Address Environmental Considerations: Some data center power companies offer environmentally friendly power solutions, such as energy sourcing from renewable sources like solar or wind, contributing to sustainability efforts.
- Help With Compliance and Standards: They ensure data centers adhere to industry standards and regulations regarding power quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Data center power companies are critical in maintaining a stable and efficient power supply for enterprise data centers and providers. Their expertise in power distribution, redundancy planning, energy efficiency, and compliance ensures that these facilities can operate reliably and sustainably while minimizing the risk of costly power-related disruptions.
Data Center Physical Security
Data center physical security companies are essential for ensuring the safety and protection of enterprise data centers and those operated by data center providers. Here's an overview of what these companies do to safeguard these critical facilities:
- Oversee Access Control Systems: They design, install, and manage access control systems that include biometric scanners, card readers, and PIN-based entry systems. These measures prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining physical access to data center facilities.
- Integrate Surveillance Cameras: Physical security companies deploy surveillance cameras inside and outside data centers. These cameras provide real-time monitoring and recording capabilities, deterring potential threats and enabling rapid response to security incidents.
- Implement Intrusion Detection: They install intrusion detection systems that use sensors to detect any unauthorized entry or tampering with sensitive areas or equipment within the data center.
- Provide Security Personnel: Some physical security companies offer on-site security personnel who monitor access points, conduct patrols, and respond to real-time security alerts.
- Manage Perimeter Security: Ensuring the physical security of the data center's perimeter is crucial. Security experts implement fencing, gates, and barriers to prevent unauthorized access.
- Stay On Top of Visitor Management: Data center physical security companies manage visitor access, verifying identities and tracking guests' activities within the facility. They issue temporary access credentials and escort visitors as needed.
- Develop Security Policies and Procedures: They assist in developing and implementing security policies and procedures specific to data center operations. These policies guide staff in responding to security incidents and ensuring consistent security practices.
- Install Alarm Systems: Alarm systems are vital to data center security. Physical security companies configure and maintain alarm systems that trigger alerts in response to unauthorized access, fires, or other security breaches.
- Conduct Security Audits and Assessments: Regular security audits and assessments are conducted to identify vulnerabilities and potential weaknesses. These assessments help data centers improve their security measures.
- Supplement With Biometric Authentication: Advanced security measures often include biometric authentication methods such as fingerprint or retina scans to enhance access control and prevent unauthorized entry.
- Facilitate Security Training: They provide security training and awareness programs for data center personnel, ensuring that employees understand security protocols and know how to respond to security incidents.
Data center physical security companies play a critical role in maintaining enterprise data centers' and provider facilities' safety and integrity. Their comprehensive security measures encompass access control, surveillance, intrusion detection, and personnel training, all contributing to a robust security posture that protects valuable data and infrastructure from potential threats.
Data Center Sustainability
Data center sustainability companies specialize in helping enterprise data centers and data center providers adopt environmentally responsible practices to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Here's an overview of what these companies do for these facilities:
- Audit Energy Efficiency: Sustainability companies conduct energy efficiency audits to assess data center operations. They identify areas where energy can be conserved and recommend improvements to reduce energy consumption.
- Integrate Renewable Energy: They assist in the transition to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, helping data centers reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
- Optimize Cooling System: Sustainability experts focus on optimizing data center cooling systems to reduce energy usage. This approach may involve implementing advanced cooling technologies, such as free cooling or liquid cooling solutions.
- Address Power Management: They employ advanced power management systems to optimize power distribution, reduce energy waste, and deliver power efficiently to data center equipment.
- Recommend Sustainable Building Materials: Data center sustainability companies may recommend and source environmentally friendly building materials that are energy-efficient and promote sustainable construction practices.
- Reduce Waste: Sustainability measures extend to data centers' waste reduction and recycling programs. These companies help establish waste management strategies to minimize the environmental impact.
- Help With Green Certifications: They assist data centers in obtaining green certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or ENERGY STAR, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- Support Carbon Offsetting: Some sustainability companies help data centers offset their carbon emissions by investing in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives.
- Participate In Data Center Design: Sustainability experts are involved in data center design, ensuring that the layout and infrastructure are optimized for energy efficiency and environmentally responsible practices.
- Monitor and Report: Data center sustainability companies provide ongoing monitoring and reporting on energy consumption, carbon emissions, and sustainability initiatives. This data helps track progress and supports transparent reporting to stakeholders.
- Provide Sustainability Training: They offer training programs for data center personnel to promote sustainability awareness and educate staff on sustainable practices and energy-efficient behaviors.
Data center sustainability companies play a critical role in helping data centers reduce their environmental impact and operate in a more eco-friendly manner. Their services encompass energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption, waste reduction, and sustainable construction practices, all contributing to a greener and more sustainable data center ecosystem.
Who Needs Data Center Facilities Companies?
Data center facilities companies are essential for many organizations and businesses that rely on data center infrastructure to support their IT operations. Here's a breakdown of who needs these companies:
- Enterprise Businesses: Large corporations and enterprises with extensive IT needs require data center facilities companies to design, build, and maintain their data center infrastructure. These businesses rely on data centers to store, process, and manage vast amounts of data critical to their operations.
- Data Center Providers: Companies that specialize in offering data center hosting services, colocation facilities, or cloud services require data center facilities companies to construct and maintain the infrastructure that serves multiple clients.
- Government Agencies: Government organizations at various levels, including federal, state, and local governments, often operate data centers to manage sensitive data related to public services, national security, and administrative functions.
- Healthcare Institutions: Hospitals and healthcare providers rely on data centers to store electronic health records, conduct medical research, and manage patient information securely and efficiently.
- Financial Institutions: Banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions depend on data center facilities to ensure the security and availability of financial transactions, customer data, and critical applications.
- Educational Institutions: Universities, colleges, and K-12 schools use data centers to support online learning platforms, research projects, student records, and administrative functions.
- eCommerce Companies: Online retailers and eCommerce businesses rely on data center infrastructure to manage their websites, handle eCommerce transactions, and store customer data securely.
- Telecommunications Providers: Telecommunication companies use data centers to manage network operations, support mobile services, and store vast amounts of data generated by telecommunications networks.
- Manufacturing and Industrial Firms: Manufacturing companies often employ data center facilities for process automation, supply chain management, quality control, and inventory management.
- Technology Companies: Tech firms, including software development companies and IT service providers, require data centers to host their applications, data, and services for clients.
- Media and Entertainment: Media companies, including streaming platforms, gaming studios, and content providers, use data centers to store and deliver multimedia content to users worldwide.
- Energy and Utilities: Energy and utility companies rely on data centers to monitor and control critical infrastructure, such as power grids and water treatment facilities.
- Transportation and Logistics: Organizations in the transportation and logistics sector use data centers for route optimization, tracking shipments, and managing logistics operations.
Data center facilities companies are crucial for any entity that relies on robust, secure, and well-maintained infrastructure to support IT and business operations. Facilities companies provide the expertise and services necessary to design, construct, maintain, and optimize data center facilities to meet the specific needs of diverse industries and organizations.
Who Leads Data Center Facilities Companies and Their Top Concerns
Leaders of data center facilities companies, including executives or senior management, guide and manage these organizations to ensure they provide effective solutions for data center infrastructure needs. Here's an overview of who leads these companies and their top concerns:
- CEOs (Chief Executive Officers): CEOs are typically the top executives in data center facilities companies. They set the overall vision and strategic direction of the organization. Their concerns include long-term growth, profitability, market positioning, and fostering innovation to stay competitive.
- CFOs (Chief Financial Officers): CFOs oversee financial aspects, including budgeting, financial reporting, and managing financial risks. They are concerned with cost control, resource allocation, and the company's financial health.
- COOs (Chief Operating Officers): COOs manage day-to-day operations, ensuring that data center projects are executed efficiently. Their concerns revolve around operational excellence, quality control, and resource management to meet client needs.
- CTOs (Chief Technology Officers): CTOs focus on technology strategies, including selecting cutting-edge solutions and ensuring data center facilities stay current with technology advancements. They are concerned with innovation, scalability, and technology integration.
- CSOs (Chief Security Officers): CSOs are responsible for data center security, both physical and digital. Their top concerns include safeguarding data against threats, ensuring compliance with security standards, and managing security risks.
- CIOs (Chief Information Officers): In some organizations, CIOs oversee data center operations and IT infrastructure. They are concerned with aligning technology with business goals, optimizing IT resources, and ensuring data center capabilities meet user needs.
- CSOs (Chief Sustainability Officers): In companies focusing on sustainability, CSOs lead efforts to reduce the environmental impact of data center facilities. Their concerns include energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and meeting sustainability goals.
- HR Directors: Human resources directors manage talent acquisition, training, and employee retention. Their concerns include recruiting skilled staff, fostering a positive workplace culture, and ensuring a talented workforce to support data center operations.
- Sales and Marketing Leaders: Sales and marketing executives are responsible for attracting clients, forming partnerships, and promoting the company's services. Their concerns include market expansion, client acquisition, and branding.
- Legal and Compliance Officers: These professionals ensure data center facilities comply with industry regulations, contracts, and legal requirements. Their concerns include risk management, contract negotiations, and legal compliance.
Top concerns shared by leaders in data center facilities companies often revolve around:
- Market Competition: Staying competitive in a crowded market is a constant concern, requiring differentiation through innovation, quality, and value-added services.
- Cybersecurity: Protecting data centers from cyber threats and ensuring data security is a top priority in the age of cyberattacks and data breaches.
- Energy Efficiency: Managing energy consumption and reducing environmental impact are critical concerns driven by the need for sustainability and cost savings.
- Client Satisfaction: Meeting and exceeding client expectations for reliability, performance, and service quality are paramount for retaining clients and maintaining a positive reputation.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to industry regulations, standards, and data privacy laws is crucial to avoid legal issues and fines.
- Resource Optimization: Efficiently managing resources, including power, space, and personnel, is vital for cost control and operational efficiency.
- Disaster Preparedness: Ensuring data centers are resilient and can recover quickly from disasters, including natural disasters and cyberattacks, is a top concern to minimize downtime and data loss.
The leadership team of data center facilities companies is responsible for navigating a complex landscape of technology, security, sustainability, and client satisfaction. Their concerns are multifaceted and require a strategic approach to address the ever-evolving challenges in the data center industry.
Challenges Facing Data Center Facilities Companies That Sell to Data Centers
Companies that sell products or services to data centers face several significant challenges in a competitive and rapidly evolving industry. Here are some of the biggest challenges they encounter:
- High Competition: The data center market is highly competitive, with numerous vendors offering similar products and services. Standing out and differentiating from competitors is a constant challenge.
- Technology Advancements: Data centers adopt new technologies rapidly. Vendors must continually innovate to meet changing data center requirements and preferences.
- Long Sales Cycles: Sales to data centers often involve long and complex decision-making processes. Convincing data center operators to commit to a purchase can take time.
- Cost Sensitivity: Data center operators are cost-conscious, seeking value for their investments. Vendors must provide cost-effective solutions that align with budget constraints.
- Rapid Scalability: Data centers need to scale quickly to accommodate growth. Vendors must offer scalable solutions that adapt to changing needs without significant disruptions.
- Security and Compliance: Data center products and services must meet stringent security and compliance standards. Vendors must demonstrate their commitment to data protection and regulatory requirements.
- Energy Efficiency: Energy consumption is a significant concern for data centers. Vendors must offer energy-efficient solutions to help reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
- Vendor Lock-In: Data center operators are wary of vendor lock-in, where they become overly dependent on a single supplier. Vendors must provide interoperable and flexible solutions.
- Data Center Location: The physical location of data centers can present logistical challenges for vendors. Ensuring timely delivery and installation of products and services to remote or secure locations can be complex.
- Maintenance and Support: Vendors must provide reliable maintenance and support services to ensure their products' ongoing performance and reliability. Downtime in data centers is costly and unacceptable.
- Data Center Consolidation: Some data centers are consolidating their infrastructure to improve efficiency. Vendors need to adapt to changing customer needs as consolidation efforts continue.
- Environmental Sustainability: Data centers are increasingly focused on sustainability. Vendors must align their offerings with green initiatives and provide energy-efficient, eco-friendly solutions.
- Complexity of Solutions: Many data center solutions require extensive training and expertise to implement and manage effectively. Vendors must offer user-friendly solutions and comprehensive training and support.
- Data Privacy Concerns: As data privacy becomes more critical, vendors must address concerns about how their products and services handle sensitive data within data center environments.
Navigating these challenges requires data center vendors to remain agile, customer-focused, and innovative. Building strong relationships with data center operators, staying updated on industry trends, and offering solutions that align with evolving needs are critical strategies for success in this competitive market.
Comparing Data Center Facilities Companies vs. Data Center Technology Companies
Data center facilities companies and data center technology companies serve distinct but interrelated roles within the data center ecosystem. Here's a comparison of these two types of companies:
Focus and Expertise:
- Facilities Companies: Specialize in the physical infrastructure of data centers, including design, construction, maintenance, and management of facilities, power, cooling, and environmental controls.
- Technology Companies: Focus on developing and providing hardware, software, networking, and IT solutions within data centers.
Core Offerings:
- Facilities Companies: Offer services related to the data center's physical environment, such as power distribution, cooling systems, security, and environmental monitoring.
- Technology Companies: Provide IT solutions like servers, storage, networking equipment, virtualization software, cloud platforms, and cybersecurity solutions.
Infrastructure vs. Applications:
- Facilities Companies: Primarily deal with the infrastructure that supports data center operations, ensuring reliability, availability, and efficiency.
- Technology Companies: Focus on applications, data management, and IT services that run on the data center infrastructure, emphasizing performance and functionality.
Lifecycle Involvement:
- Facilities Companies: Engage in the entire data center lifecycle, from design and construction to ongoing maintenance and upgrades.
- Technology Companies: Play a role mainly in the operation and optimization phases, ensuring that IT systems perform efficiently within the data center environment.
Physical vs. Virtual:
- Facilities Companies: Deal with physical aspects, including power distribution units, cooling towers, raised floors, and physical security measures.
- Technology Companies: Emphasize virtualization, cloud computing, and software-defined solutions that abstract and optimize resources.
Maintenance vs. Innovation:
- Facilities Companies: Focus on maintaining the reliability and stability of data center infrastructure, often using tried-and-true technologies.
- Technology Companies: Drive innovation by developing and deploying cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, edge computing, and containerization.
Downtime and Resilience:
- Facilities Companies: Work to prevent physical disruptions and minimize downtime through redundancy and disaster recovery planning.
- Technology Companies: Address software-related issues and implement redundancy at the application and data level to ensure high availability.
Compliance and Regulations:
- Facilities Companies: Focus on ensuring physical facilities meet safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
- Technology Companies: Address data privacy and security regulations and compliance within the software and systems they provide.
Client Interaction:
- Facilities Companies: Engage with data center operators, builders, and facility managers to deliver infrastructure solutions.
- Technology Companies: Collaborate with IT departments, developers, and CIOs to provide software and hardware solutions that align with business objectives.
Interdependence:
Both types of companies rely on each other. Facilities companies provide the physical environment where technology companies' solutions operate, while technology companies rely on stable and efficient infrastructure provided by facilities companies.
While data center facilities and technology companies have distinct focuses, they are integral to the successful operation of modern data centers. Their collaboration ensures that data centers are physically robust and equipped with cutting-edge technology to meet the demands of today's data-driven world.
What Enterprises and Data Center Providers Look for When Choosing Facilities Companies
Enterprises and data center providers seek specific qualities and capabilities when selecting facilities companies to partner with for their data center needs. Here are vital considerations they look for:
- Experience and Expertise: Enterprises and data center providers value facilities companies with a proven track record in designing, building, and maintaining data center infrastructure. Experience often indicates a deeper understanding of industry best practices.
- Reputation and References: A solid reputation and positive references from past clients are critical. Companies want assurance that their chosen facilities provider can deliver on its promises.
- Compliance and Certifications: Facilities companies should adhere to industry standards and certifications related to safety, environmental sustainability, and quality. Compliance with regulations and certifications like ISO, Uptime Institute, and LEED is highly regarded.
- Scalability: Data center operators require flexibility and scalability in their infrastructure. Facilities companies must demonstrate the ability to design solutions accommodating future growth and evolving needs.
- Energy Efficiency: Energy-efficient solutions are a priority for many organizations seeking to reduce operational costs and minimize their environmental impact. Facilities companies that can optimize cooling and power systems are highly favored.
- Security Measures: Robust physical and cybersecurity measures are paramount. Companies seek facility providers that can offer comprehensive security solutions to protect their data center assets from threats and breaches.
- Reliability and Redundancy: Downtime can be costly. Enterprises and data center providers seek facilities companies that can design and implement redundant systems to ensure high availability and reliability.
- Innovation and Technology Integration: A commitment to innovation is crucial. Facilities providers should be able to integrate advanced technologies like edge computing, AI, and IoT into the data center infrastructure to enhance performance and efficiency.
- Comprehensive Services: Many organizations prefer facilities companies that offer end-to-end services, including design, construction, maintenance, and ongoing support. Comprehensive services simplify the data center management process.
- Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery: Quick response to emergencies and a robust disaster recovery plan are essential. Facilities companies should demonstrate their ability to mitigate risks and minimize downtime during crises.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Budget considerations are significant. Companies want facilities solutions that offer value for money and align with their budget constraints while meeting quality and reliability standards.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Enterprises and data center providers are increasingly focused on sustainability. Facilities companies offering green solutions, including renewable energy integration and efficient cooling systems, are preferred.
- Client-Centric Approach: A client-centric approach, including strong communication, transparency, and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of each client, is highly regarded.
- Geographic Location: Proximity to the data center site can be a logistical advantage. Facilities companies located nearby may offer faster response times and easier access to maintenance and support.
Enterprises and data center providers conduct thorough evaluations when choosing facilities companies. They prioritize factors like experience, reputation, compliance, scalability, security, and sustainability, seeking a partner to deliver reliable, efficient, cost-effective solutions to support their data center operations.
Why Data Center Facilities Companies Need to Modernize Their Product Offerings and Go-to-Market Game Plan (Disrupt or Be Disrupted)
Data center facilities companies operate in a rapidly evolving industry where technology advancements and changing client demands require continuously modernizing product offerings and go-to-market strategies. Here's why these companies need to disrupt or risk being disrupted:
- Technology Evolution: Data center technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate. Facilities companies must keep pace with innovations like edge computing, AI, and energy-efficient solutions to remain competitive.
- Energy Efficiency: As environmental concerns grow, data centers increasingly demand energy-efficient solutions. Companies that fail to modernize risk losing clients seeking greener options and cost savings.
- Cost Pressures: Enterprises and data center providers always seek cost-effective solutions. Modernizing product offerings to reduce operational expenses can be a crucial differentiator.
- Scalability Needs: Data centers must accommodate rapid growth. Modernizing facilities to enable scalability is vital for meeting clients' evolving demands.
- Security Demands: Cybersecurity threats are ever-present. Facilities companies must offer modern security measures and compliance solutions to protect sensitive data.
- Sustainability Expectations: Clients expect sustainability efforts. Modernization can involve integrating renewable energy sources and eco-friendly practices to meet these expectations.
- Cloud Competition: Cloud services are challenging traditional data center models. Facilities companies must adapt their offerings to remain relevant in the face of this competition.
- Edge Computing: Edge computing is on the rise, requiring data centers to move closer to end-users. Companies must modernize to support these decentralized architectures effectively.
- Remote Management: Remote management capabilities have become essential. Modern solutions enable efficient monitoring and control, especially in a world where remote work is prevalent.
- Data Analytics: Modern data center facilities can collect and analyze data to optimize performance and predictive maintenance, improving overall efficiency.
- Customer Experience: Modernized go-to-market strategies prioritize enhancing the customer experience. Companies that provide user-friendly interfaces, transparent communication, and tailored solutions gain a competitive edge.
- Compliance Challenges: Evolving regulations and compliance requirements demand modernized approaches to ensure data center facilities meet legal and industry standards.
- Competitive Landscape: New entrants and disruptors are constantly emerging. Staying competitive requires data center facilities companies to modernize and differentiate their offerings.
- Global Reach: In a globalized market, companies must offer solutions that cater to international clients, which may involve modernizing infrastructure to ensure global accessibility.
- Resilience and Disaster Recovery: Modernization efforts should improve disaster recovery capabilities, ensuring minimal downtime and data loss during crises.
According to Gartner research, 83% of business-to-business (B2B) purchase decisions happen before a potential buyer even talks to a sales professional. This process includes conducting research, comparing options, and evaluating pricing.
McKinsey & Company found that between 70% and 80% of B2B decision-makers now prefer to make decisions using digital means, like websites and online resources.
In its B2B Thought Leadership Impact Report, LinkedIn and Edelman concluded that although thought leadership is still crucial for engaging customers, it's become challenging to stand out amid all the noise.
Have you ever been told to watch out for the six most dangerous words?
"We've always done it this way."
That mindset served the taxi industry poorly when Uber and Lyft came along. Blockbuster Video didn't fare well against Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming giants. And remember when Motorola and BlackBerry dominated the mobile market? They fell behind when smartphones took over.
And what about Microsoft? They didn't do so hot when they timidly entered the mobile device space while trying to protect their desktop OS franchise.
So, here's a critical question for data center facilities companies:
Are you ready to be the disruptor rather than getting disrupted? And should you rethink your go-to-market strategy for growth before it's too late?
To avoid being left behind, consider two undeniable realities:
- Your ideal clients only want to spend time with your sales team once they're very far along in their decision-making journey. According to Gartner, that point is at 83%. Prospects now actively avoid speaking with sales reps during most of their research.
- Closing a sale isn't the endgame; it's just the start. In a world where customer happiness, retention, and growth are crucial, selling to the wrong clients can stall your company’s growth. To succeed, you need everyone on your go-to-market team—sales, marketing, customer success, product, channel partnerships, and leadership—to be on the same page with account retention and expansion.
Because technology is changing quickly, and customers want new ways of purchasing, data center facilities companies need to update how they market and sell their services. If they do this, they can become flexible and focused on customers, providing the fast, adjustable, and unique solutions enterprise data centers and data center providers need today.
Conversely, those who resist change may struggle to compete with more adaptable players in the dynamic data center facilities landscape. A "disrupt or be disrupted" mentality is essential to thrive in this environment.
Data center facilities companies face intense competition and evolving client expectations. Modernizing product offerings and go-to-market strategies is imperative for staying relevant, competitive, and capable of meeting the ever-changing demands of the data center industry. Failure to do so could result in being disrupted by more agile and innovative competitors.
Other Data Center Technology Resources
- 3 Ways Power Distribution Companies Find Data Center Decision Makers Data centers are large electricity consumers. Their entire operation relies on non-stop power distribution, and as the market continues to make strides in the technology realm, the concentration of data centers only increases. As a power distribution and management company looking to meet with a decision-maker, consider the following suggestions to start the conversation.
- 4 Ways Data Center Redundancy Protects Against Downtime Benjamin Franklin’s old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is probably not thrown around the managed IT services industry too often. If you think about it, though, it is well suited, as data center redundancy, when provisioned as a fail-safe, can save the day in times of unexpected demand or equipment failure. Like insurance, airbags, or a parachute, you never truly appreciate network redundancy until you need it. If you don’t have adequate redundant hardware and software available when traffic spikes or a DDoS attack occurs, the cost of deploying it for the next time will seem like a bargain.
- 5 Common Data Center Specifications Problems Whether it’s the business world or the general public, data centers are now vital to our daily lives. With the growth of the Internet of Things, data centers will only increase in importance and rapidly multiply worldwide. However, building and managing open the door to many data center specifications issues.
- 5 Data Center Compliance Trends for Non-Lawyer CEOs Do you think that by handing over your systems and data to a data center, you also hand over compliance issues? While data center compliance is often a priority for the service provider, whether internal or external to your organization, as a CEO, you retain ultimate responsibility for the IT assets of your organization, including its information. Nonetheless, certain compliance trends could help you steer clear of problems.
- 10 Data Center Cleaning Companies - What Are The Differences? No matter the size of your data center, it requires regular cleaning to keep the equipment in good working order, maintain higher sanitation levels, and present a more attractive appearance to employees and visitors. Your staff can contribute to a clean environment by unpacking equipment in designated areas and keeping cartons out of the server rooms. Still, you will want to hire a professional for maximum cleanliness and data security.
- Are Mission-Critical Facilities Getting Greener? Mission-critical facilities for IT are certainly getting bigger, but does that mean they are ecologically friendlier, too? As size goes up and power consumption and heat generation go too, it might be optimistic to think that, in absolute terms, data centers have a lower impact on the planet than before. In relative terms, however, technologies are making it possible to become greener in several ways.
- Are Phoenix Data Centers Addressing Climate Change? Data centers that maximize their surrounding environments for power, security, and defense against natural disasters are usually the most sustainable. Phoenix, Arizona, doesn’t have the wind power of Google data centers in Finland, and Phoenix data centers aren’t water-fueled like the AISO data center in California. However, in Phoenix, solar power is abundantly available.
- Arizona Data Centers’ Power and Cooling Problems Data centers have seen a significant growth boom in recent years. Arizona data centers are no different as more and more data centers pop up in the region to meet the demand. Arizona has certain advantages that set it apart from other colocation centers, like solid network connections to the West Coast, enhanced disaster recovery, and lower occurrences of natural disasters. However, regarding colocation, the region has had difficulties with power and cooling.
- Can Data Center Maintenance Build Enterprise Value? If you’re wondering what kind of question that is (“Can data center maintenance build enterprise value?”), you might like to try the following thought experiment. First, consider the value of your data center, or the DC facilities you use, to your business. Most organizations would rapidly halt if their IT resources become unavailable. That situation will become increasingly prevalent, given how products are turning into services in today’s economy, which relies on computing power to exist and work properly. Got it?
- Can the Los Angeles Data Center You’ve Chosen Survive an Earthquake? In California, earthquakes are not ‘seasonal’ disasters. They can strike at any time and with no warning. Experts have predicted a 67% chance of an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 or greater striking Los Angeles within the next 30 years. If you conduct business online, that’s a reason to worry. Earthquakes can disable data centers by damaging the building, its equipment, and the connections that sustain it. Your information may not be lost, but your business cannot successfully manage the event without access to critical data like customer and financial records.
- Can Your Data Center Environment Pursue LEED Certification? Whether you can pursue LEED certification is fairly obvious because, of course, you can. The more important question, however, is whether you should for your data center environment. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, creates value, such as public relations, incentives for investment for those prioritizing environmental responsibility, marketplace differentiation, energy efficiency, employee well-being and morale, potential long-term financial savings, and carbon footprint reduction.
- Comparing Data Center Tiers from a CEO's Perspective Managing content and data for hundreds, or even possibly thousands of businesses is a big responsibility. Depending on your financial and technical resources, deciding which of the Uptime Institute’s Data Center tiers you want to build when you first roll out your data center environment will also determine the scale and type of customers you can serve, the service level agreements you can live up to, your pricing matrix, and the marketing messaging and tactics you will use to attract and retain customers.
- Do You Have Data Center Airflow Management Problems? Since the first computer was built in the 1960s, there have been issues with airflow and cooling. So, it’s unsurprising that we face data center airflow management problems today. The biggest issue that seems to be shared among most data centers is the efficient management of supply and return airflow within the facility. It might be surprising that this is even an issue because data centers have been actively trying to find a solution to this problem for years.
- Does Data Center Wiring Impact Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)? Does the electricity usage reading on your data center utility meter accurately reflect the power flowing to your network infrastructure and related equipment?
- Estimating Data Center Raised Floor Costs When building a new data center, companies must consider the cost of a raised floor. Not all facilities require them, but the construction budget for those that do needs to include the materials, installation methods, and labor associated with putting them in place.
- How Arizona Colocation Companies Stay Green For Arizona colocation companies, staying green can be difficult. Not all customer-owned servers and equipment are energy-efficient, and even those that are will throw off enough heat to increase overall cooling costs. But green technologies are available to keep operations sustainable even when business is hot.
- How Data Center Cleaning Companies Attract More Clients With the ever-growing technology boom, there is no shortage of data centers scattered worldwide. Data centers are known to be selective environments, requiring expert tending; from dust build-up down to raised floor cleaning, it truly takes a professional to execute the proper maintenance. Due to their fickle nature, data center professionals are quite selective with the vendors they allow on their premises. These individuals value their facilities highly and seek partnerships that understand and respect these boundaries. So, how does one secure a contract with a data center facility?
- How Do Data Center Cleaning Companies Add Value? Does the value of a data center cleaning company come from polishing the data center nameplate at the entrance? Or from keeping the reception area free of spent coffee cups and chewing gum? Or does it come from carefully cleaning IT areas to eliminate contamination and conditions that cause unexpected downtime?
- How Orlando Colocation Operators Design for Hurricanes Most data centers are built to withstand strong winds and rain, but hurricanes represent a higher threat level. Constant winds blowing at 111 mph or higher can demolish power lines, and rain-induced floods make it nearly impossible for IT personnel to access the premises. Because they operate in a region prone to hurricanes, Orlando colocation centers have been structurally and operationally designed to cope with the hazards of major storms like hurriances
- How Orlando Data Centers Cost-Effectively Manage Cooling Needs Did you know Orlando is home to several world-class data centers? Because of Central Florida’s unique geography, an Orlando data center must cool its racks by using sophisticated green technology and free cooling innovations.
- How Structural Engineers Attract Data Center Clients Data centers must be built to withstand any natural disaster or crisis. Therefore, when building a new data center facility, you must have a good structural engineer who can create a robust, secure building that meets your needs. If your firm specializes in data centers or other civil engineering projects, here are some tips on attracting clients or commercial building owners to your structural engineering firm.
- Is Data Center Safety Getting Back-Burnered? We live in a world of ‘always-on’. Almost at any cost. Data centers are a prime example of resources and infrastructure destined to function continuously without outage or breakage. While 100% business continuity may be a praiseworthy goal, the problem comes when it is pursued at the expense of data center safety. If any of the following happens in your data center, a swift safety upgrade could be your first priority.
- Is the Data Center Generator You Depend on Adequate for Your Needs? Imagine. Everything seems to be working fine until ‘click’ – no more power from your electricity provider. With some data centers requiring megawatts of power delivered at levels as high as 20 kilovolts, backup power has to be solid and sufficient to keep everything going till normal power is restored. The data center generator is the way most enterprises and service providers go. However, there’s more to a decent generator solution than meets the eye.
- Mapping the Buyer’s Journey for Data Center Power and Cooling Sufficient power and cooling are critical in a data center environment. If cooling requirements are not implemented properly, the power needed to cool a data center can potentially exceed the power used to operate the actual equipment. Data centers must have a team to monitor the server room temperature and repair critical issues as they occur.
- San Jose Colocation Providers Address Power and Cooling Data centers are one of the largest electricity consumers of in the U.S. They are one of the biggest factors driving new power plant construction. Energy costs for power and cooling can be as much as 60% of the total cost of building and operating a data center. Estimates are that data centers will cost businesses $13 billion a year in electricity costs. How are San Jose colocation providers meeting the power and cooling challenge?
- Top 3 Missouri Data Centers by Size and Power Missouri is one of the go-to states for data center startups. Electricity is cheaper, taxes are lower, and labor costs aren’t as high as in most other states. Missouri also benefits from several strong IT companies, educators, and suppliers nationwide. From unique solar-powered Missouri data centers to futuristic underground facilities, Missouri is becoming a focal point for the nation’s most impressive colocation data center options.
- Top 5 Data Center Environmental Monitoring Systems Take a deep breath. Hold it in for a count of ten. OK, now exhale. How do you feel? Relaxed? Energized? Composed? Must be that clean air in your office! No smoke, good airflow, and not too humid, right? Hope that lighting in your office is comfortable for you. Go ahead, take another deep breath. You’ve earned it! Do you know what else likes clean, pure air? Servers. Racks of them in data centers all over the planet. To make them safe and happy, you should install some data center Environmental Monitoring Systems (EMS).
- What's a Meet Me Room and Does Your Data Center Need One? In today’s networked world, telecom carrier links and data center cages need to be connected together to be of practical use. A Meet Me Room or MMR is a physical location where such connections can be organized, made, and managed. An MMR can be located in a data center, although it may be elsewhere in some cases – for example, direct data exchange between links of different telecom companies. An MMR is typically a physically small but essential part of the infrastructure when inside a data center.
- Which Cleveland Data Centers Best Manage Cooling and Power? Computer servers generate heat, challenging cooling in high-volume data centers. Some facilities use outdated air-conditioning strategies that cause energy bills to climb. Still, certain Cleveland data centers take a more modern approach that saves money without compromising on equipment safety and stability.
- Which Data Center Providers Have the Best Power and Cooling Know-How? With many data centers consuming as much electricity for cooling and other non-IT needs as for the IT servers and storage units themselves, power and cooling know-how is a hot item indeed (figuratively speaking.) Add to this the size of many modern data centers, each with power requirements equivalent to that of a small town, and you can see that data center providers need to be on the ball.
- Which Florida Data Centers Innovate with Power and Cooling? Finding a Florida data center is quite easy; from Tallahassee to Miami to Tampa to Orlando, and many places in between, there are many to choose from. Data centers use immense power and require a cooling system rivaling any refrigeration warehouse. Arguably, power and cooling are the two most exhaustive costs of operating any data center. For this reason, data centers are looking for new and innovative ways to cut these costs.
- Which Plano Data Centers Offer the Best Mission Critical IT Facilities? Plano has been voted the safest city in America, the wealthiest city in the U.S., and the best place to live in America by CNN Money Magazine. It is also a hotbed for data center companies, serving some very well-known companies headquartered in the area, including Dell, Frito-Lay, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, and Capital One Financial Services. When evaluating Plano data centers, some of the considerations in deciding on the best facilities include:
About the Data Center Sales & Marketing Institute (DCSMI) and How It Empowers Go-to-Market Teams at Modular Data Center Providers
If you’re part of a go-to-market team for a data center facilities company, you play a pivotal role in the success of your data center-related business.
You and your colleagues ensure that products and services meet customer needs, get effectively promoted, and generate revenue in a competitive market.
Your team uses a combination of market research, strategic planning, collaboration, and customer-centricity to achieve its goals.
The Data Center Sales & Marketing Institute (DCSMI) is a boutique business advisory, consulting, and training firm for data center providers as well as IT, facilities, and sales and marketing companies that partner with data center providers.
DCSMI understands the unique go-to-market challenges and opportunities that data center GTM teams face in this rapidly evolving data center facilities marketplace, and we're here to help you excel.
Welcome to DCSMI, your strategic partner in navigating the complex world of data center go-to-market strategy and the role of GTM teams.