A lot of data centers are doing it but is it right for you? Relocation – how do you really know when it is time? For data centers, there may be some tell-tale signs that it is time to relocate. And, if your business is being relocated a data center or computer room may simply have no choice but to relocate. Relocating a data center is no small task and requires a good deal of planning and preparation so that it can be executed smoothly, downtime can be avoided and important data protected.
A data center manager needs to be on the lookout for signs that it may be time to relocate so that potential problems can be avoided. One of the first signs it may be time to relocate are a wide array of power problems. Whether your data center is no longer energy efficient (especially in spite of energy efficient improvements) or your power source is unstable or unreliable, it is probably time to relocate data centers. Energy usage, energy efficiency and the cost to power a data center are major topics of conversation for any data center and the bottom line is that if you cannot achieve energy efficiency within the existing data center, it will dramatically impact the bottom line and cost more money than it should. A data center designed for energy efficiency will not only be more eco-friendly but will save money which is important to any business. Additionally, if your power supply is unreliable that is just unacceptable in the data center business. If the power supply is not working and your backup power fails for some reason your data center could experience small amounts of downtime or, worst case scenario, significant downtime. Even small amounts of downtime come at a significant expense and prolonged downtime could mean lost revenue, frustrated customers and ultimately could cause a business to have to shut their doors. If your data center has any form of consistent power problems, it is time to relocate. The next problem that could indicate it is time to relocate is that there is no room to grow. As data centers grow in capacity and add more server racks and other assorted equipment spare room could very quickly run out. Once you have outgrown your space there is not much that can be done which means that it is probably time to relocate. When choosing a location, do not simply accommodate growth that has recently occurred but anticipate additional growth that could occur in the future so that you will not have to move again right away. An additional reason to consider relocating, especially if you have any of the aforementioned concerns, is if your location is not right. Wrong location could translate to a few different things – it may be inconvenient or too remote, it may be in an area where real estate is too pricey or it may not be in an area near the target market that you serve. If any of these are true they are probably frustrating and expensive issues and the best way to solve a location problem is to relocate. Determine if the benefits and potential savings outweigh the costs and difficulty involved with relocating a data center but a move may be just the right thing to mitigate problems for your data center.
