PTS Newsletter Archives – November, 2013

Over the last several years of disasters and cleanup, I’ve been surprised by the reluctance of many small and mid-size businesses to invest in true Disaster Recovery (DR) solutions. Given the loss of equipment, data, and revenue from the NY metropolitan hurricanes, I fully expected more clients to request help to eliminate downtime.

As it turns out, even with relatively low costs for co-location or DR space in an offsite facility, I believe many of these business owners have decided to avoid the monthly expense of co-location when space is generally available in their own location due to downsized employees. This E-Bulletin discusses this topic and whether Company Owned Computer Room Build-Outs are escalating again.

Let me know your thoughts on this E-Bulletin by reaching out to me directly. If you have other data center topics you would like us to consider for a future E-Newsletter or E-Bulletin, let me know that too. I am available at PSacco@ptsdcs.com.

Regards,

Pete Sacco

President & Founder

PTS Data Center Solutions, Inc

Experts For Your Always Available Data Center

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.

Proven Design Principles, Process Driven Execution, Experience, and Innovative Thinking

With everything PTS does, it believes in challenging the status quo. PTS chooses to think differently by believing every company, no matter the size, can operate its own highly effective, resilient, and easy to manage data center network and facility. The PTS team knows it can be done simply and for a reasonable cost because it has done so many times. To ensure success every time, PTS has evolved a four-fold strategy which is the core of all PTS’ companies – Proven Design Principles, Process Driven Execution, Experience, and Innovative Thinking. Further, PTS understands the proper balance between in-sourcing and out-sourcing facilities, technology, and people.

Experts for Your Always Available Data Center

PTS has world class design, engineering, construction, installation, operations, and management staff across both facility and IT disciplines. PTS also has the facilities and IT experience, having integrated and tested many of the best-of-breed technologies the industry has to offer in our very own data center lab. In short, PTS is the Expert for Your Always Available Data Center.

Integrated Data Center Facility and IT Expertise

With a proven process for understanding and addressing client needs as well as integrated facilities and IT experience and expertise, PTS offers a unique vantage point for executing data center, computer room, and network operations center projects with a proven process for understanding and addressing client needs.

In every engagement, PTS applies a disciplined, consultative approach to systematically survey and assess the situation and then develop effective plans for seizing opportunities and overcoming obstacles. And, PTS offers a full complement of services – from business strategy and planning to facilities engineering to IT design and implementation – to help transform those plans into reality.
PTS works to fulfill its mission of creating satisfied customers by emphasizing planning and pre-construction services to provide the optimal people, process, and technology solutions to meet clients’ needs. The result is an early and accurate alignment between scope, schedule, and budget.