Like many other market sectors,
the data center space has its ebbs and flows. The latest trend and forecast is
that cloud computing and colocation are continuing to grow in popularity and
one day, due to cloud's promise of ubiquitous computer platforms, could nullify
the need for company-premise-built data centers or computer rooms. That said,
this promise has lingered for some time now without being realized. In fact, at
PTS Data Center Solutions we see a different, more recent trend.
For example, in the last several
years, the northeastern U.S. has experienced substantial utility outages due to
inclement weather (Hurricanes Irene in 2011 and Sandy in 2012). Given these
extended outages, for over a year now, PTS has been called upon to engineer and
install more whole-facility backup power generation systems than ever before.
Further, and in keeping with Levitt and Dubner's position in their book Freakonomics, that
there is a hidden side to everything - so it seems to be the case with this
whole-building generator boom.
For small- and mid-size companies, installing a
generator is the single highest CAPEX obstacle to realizing a corporate
computer room (what PTS refers to as a "Tenant-Space Computer Room").
However, it's those very companies that have realized their operations (much
less their computer rooms) cannot go without power for an extended period of
time and as a result are installing whole-facility backup power
systems. What was once the largest financial impediment to computer room
ownership is now gone. Along with this is the promise of eliminating the ever
increasing OPEX of an outsourced IT model.
At the same time, given IT's
ability to deliver operational resiliency, CIOs and CFOs alike are realizing
not every data center facility needs to operate as a Tier IV bunker. It's even
more premature to state that cloud computing is taking over. PTS is actually
experiencing a resurgence in company built and operated data centers and
computer rooms. As such, you can almost hear Yogi Berra's immortal words,
"it ain't over 'til it's over".
It is likely the industry will
hit a stasis point between in-sourced and out-sourced data center facility and
IT operations. Many enterprises already have (or will have) a hybrid model
whereby some applications are cloud based (i.e. Salesforce.com), while others
are housed in company owned and operated data centers.
PTS, too, is currently undergoing
a transformation by including our own cloud data center site and services
offering as part of our new HQ facility build. This offering will complement
our client premise-based IT and facility solutions. This way, PTS will be
prepared for whichever way the wind blows (pun intended).
If you are considering expanding
your data center or adding a generator to improve expected uptime, it may be prudent
to reach out to a professional data center design & engineering team to
discuss your requirements,
options, and costs. Also, there are a variety of issues that should be
discussed prior to considering a generator deployment for any enterprise.
Contact us
to speak with a data center design professional.
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