a:25:{s:9:"weblog_id";s:1:"5";s:8:"entry_id";s:0:"";s:6:"sticky";s:0:"";s:14:"allow_comments";s:1:"n";s:16:"allow_trackbacks";s:1:"n";s:10:"entry_date";s:19:"2008-12-25 06:25 AM";s:15:"expiration_date";s:0:"";s:23:"comment_expiration_date";s:0:"";s:8:"category";a:1:{i:0;s:2:"21";}s:9:"author_id";s:1:"2";s:6:"status";s:4:"open";s:14:"trackback_urls";s:0:"";s:18:"versioning_enabled";s:1:"y";s:5:"title";s:54:"Data Centers Require Extraordinary Planning, Expertise";s:9:"url_title";s:53:"data_centers_require_extraordinary_planning_expertise";s:6:"submit";s:6:"Submit";s:11:"field_id_20";s:54:"Data Centers Require Extraordinary Planning, Expertise";s:11:"field_ft_20";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_25";s:0:"";s:11:"field_id_45";s:232:"The idea of creating a new data center or expanding an existing one brings to mind futuristic images of computer experts working with dazzling high tech equipment to feed their ever-increasing need for data processing capabilities. ";s:11:"field_ft_45";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_22";s:24:"data centers, planning, ";s:11:"field_ft_22";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_23";s:6163:"<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4><strong>By Fred Jaeckle and Brian Nuehring</strong></h4>
<p>The idea of creating a new data center or expanding an existing one brings to mind futuristic images of computer experts working with dazzling high tech equipment to feed their ever-increasing need for data processing capabilities.&nbsp; While the end result for many organizations is a sleek new facility humming with machines and activity, none of it would be possible without an extraordinary level of upfront planning and teamwork involving many technical experts and a knowledgeable construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC)to lead the process.</p>
<p>Most data centers today are designed and built to address tomorrow&rsquo;s information processing needs.&nbsp; Given the complexities and new technologies impacting most industries, anticipating the future needs of a new data center is no easy task.&nbsp; The healthcare industry provides an excellent example.</p>
<p>Healthcare systems are among the fastest-growing users of data centers.&nbsp; Automated medical records keeping, electronic imaging, surgical robotics, advanced telecommunications, increasingly sophisticated medical procedures and multi-location facilities are just some of the recent developments that directly impact the IT support requirements of nearly every hospital and hospital system.</p>
<p>No matter the industry involved, the first and most important step in building a new or expanded data center is a commitment to careful planning and collaboration among its many stakeholders.&nbsp; At the very least this should involve the organization&rsquo;s IT department leadership, its facilities management department, and the project&rsquo;s CM/GC, architect and data center planning consultants.</p>
<p>The first step is to determine and clearly define the needs and goals of the data center, in both the short term and the longer term.&nbsp; There are many important and intertwining considerations to be determined in the pre-construction phase of a data center project, including:</p>
<p>- Physical site selection (available site, affordable, convenience, access to power sources and landlines)</p>
<p>- Anticipated computing load, data storage requirements and related equipment needs</p>
<p>- Security requirements and tier ratings (vulnerability to natural disaster, terrorism acts, regulatory and legal requirements)</p>
<p>- Number of years the data center will fulfill the organization&rsquo;s planned needs</p>
<p>- Migration plan from current data facilities to the new/expanded facilities</p>
<p>- Capability for future equipment and operational upgrades within the planned facility</p>
<p>- Mechanical systems and physical plant requirements to support the planned facility.</p>
<p>The planning team must make these and other important decisions, and resolve the competing (and often conflicting) situations that accompany these decisions.&nbsp; Once this is accomplished, the team&rsquo;s attention shifts to operational planning.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As data centers become bigger and more sophisticated, they require more power and generate much more heat per square foot than today&rsquo;s facilities.&nbsp; There are &lsquo;green&rsquo; equipment choices now available to help mitigate the operating costs of data centers, such as higher voltage European-style equipment that operates on less amperage and requires less electricity than traditional American-made equipment.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Power needs and heat generation also has major implications for data floor design and usage, as well as cooling, electrical and power systems designs.&nbsp; Keeping data centers cooled is no easy task, particularly when the computing equipment and floor layout creates numerous &lsquo;hot spots&rsquo; that must be addressed.</p>
<p>Air and water-based cooling systems are both available, although the water-based systems are now in greater demand due to their cooling efficiency and lower overall energy usage.&nbsp; Both options have &lsquo;green&rsquo; features, such as re-use and re-circulation of air and water.&nbsp; However, air-based cooling systems do require the use of chemical refrigerants. The design and implementation of these systems requires a contractor with a strong sense of mechanical, electrical and plumbing expertise.</p>
<p>A knowledgeable and experienced CM/GC can play a vitally important role in the planning and construction of a successful data center.&nbsp; The planning team members can have a natural bias and expertise in their area of specialty, such as the IT gurus, but may lack the facilities or mechanical knowledge to make fully informed decisions.&nbsp; An experienced general contractor can help create the project&rsquo;s parameters, help each planning team member understand and connect with the needs of the other team members, and lead the client through all necessary and relevant issues and decisions.&nbsp; An experienced general contractor can also help tie-in the data center to future physical changes planned on the client&rsquo;s campus, thus creating a complete campus-wide interface process.</p>
<p>Construction of a data center also requires the purchase of significant information technology hardware and equipment not found in most commercial construction projects.&nbsp; Many such components require long lead times.&nbsp; Understanding the very high level of sophistication and complexities involved in data centers can only come from experience.</p>
<p>Only when all of the pre-construction planning and decisions have been made can the layout, design and construction of the new facility begin to move forward.</p>
<p><em>Fred Jaeckle is vice president of pre-construction and estimating and Brian Nuehring is director of estimating for S. M. Wilson &amp; Co.&nbsp; S. M. Wilson has completed several new data center projects, including the Schneider Electric/APC &lsquo;Learning Center&rsquo; in O&rsquo;Fallon, Missouri.&nbsp; The company is currently involved in the development and construction of new data centers for the Sisters of Mercy Health System, and for the Community Health Network in Indianapolis.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>";s:10:"category_0";s:2:"21";}