27. October 2022

4 Min read

    Contents

      Written by Andreas Rüsseler

      CMO of R&M

      Building your own infrastructure

      When it comes to creating infrastructures for data centers and computer rooms, there are a number of possible solutions. This applies not only to white spaces and colocation, but also to cross-connect zones, meet-me rooms, campus, and DC interconnect.

      For example, data center operators can plan and build everything themselves. They can search for the required parts in catalogs, shops, and online configurators and order them individually. This takes time and requires expert personnel, detailed knowledge, and project management.

      A self-assessment will show that this approach is often no longer the best choice. Experience shows that the finer points, such as fiber reserves for the next generation of Ethernet, sensors for port monitoring, and spatial restrictions, are regularly overlooked.

       

       

      Or «out of the box»

      You can purchase standardized, pre-configured modules and «data centers out of the box». This should be considered when the time to market or a globally consistent infrastructure matters. The advantages: rational and external planning, short-term delivery, and slightly lower costs compared to a computer room designed and built individually.

      Operators may be subject to some of the proprietary constraints of turnkey solutions. Individual requests, urgent upgrades, and unforeseen market adjustments can only be implemented with difficulty or at additional expense. In some cases, the container data center is not turnkey at all because, for example, cabling still needs to be installed.

      Trust an integrator

      You can hire general contractors and integrators. They will oversee the project from the outset and implement it responsibly. They will put together a tailor-made infrastructure consisting of suitable systems and products. Some deliver largely pre-terminated components to the building and bring the fitters along with them.

      R&M advocates the latter approach. Today, data center operators are grateful for any help when it comes to organization, personnel, expertise, structure, and technology. Outsourcing to qualified integrators or general contractors is the right choice for setting up local infrastructures individually and quickly.

       

       

      Everything from a single source 

      The model with the trusted integrator can be perfected – with preferred sourcing.

      In other words, a selected supplier can offer complete, integrated solutions for data center infrastructures from a single source. They meet a number of demanding criteria:

      • Performance and expertise range from consulting to commissioning. They also include engineering, customizing, sourcing, packaging, and assembling.
      • Ideally, the vendor manufactures the essential modules for computer rooms under their own management. The portfolio ranges from connectivity to software for infrastructure management.
      • The supplier takes a design-build approach. They have mastered the ability to perfectly merge infrastructures for computer rooms before installation. The construction of the data center works smoothly and on time.
      • The supplier develops a deep understanding of the customer’s situation. Change requests can be accommodated and implemented flexibly. The service includes technical support, customer-specific standardization, certifications, a digital twin, training, and more.
      • The provider is always close to the customer. Immediate access to manufacturing, customizing, warehousing, logistics, and technical support is possible in every region. Incidentally: This regional proximity saves transport routes and thus greenhouse gas emissions.

      R&M meets these criteria and supports the data center industry worldwide as a partner for complete, integrated infrastructure solutions. In our specialist magazine CONNECTIONS No. 63, you can find out how this works and what benefits data centers can draw from it.

      More information: https://www.rdm.com/solutions/data-center/