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. 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.
Most data centers today are designed and built to address tomorrow’s information processing needs. Given the complexities and new technologies impacting most industries, anticipating the future needs of a new data center is no easy task—and the healthcare industry provides an excellent example of how multifaceted the process can be.
Healthcare systems are among the fastest-growing users of data centers. Automated medical records keeping, electronic imaging, surgical robotics, advanced telecommunications, increasingly sophisticated medical procedures, and multilocation facilities are just some of the recent developments that directly impact the IT support requirements of nearly every hospital and healthcare system.
First things first
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. At the very least, this should involve the organization’s IT department leadership, its facilities management department, and the project’s CM/GC, architect, and data center planning consultants.
The first step is to determine and clearly define the needs and goals of the data center, in both the short term and long term. There are many important and intertwining considerations to be determined in the pre-construction phase of a data center project, including:
