Benefits of containerized data centers

Although containerized data centers were relatively unknown five or ten years ago, interest in them has grown significantly in recent years.

The transportability of factory-built data centers is the first advantage that naturally comes to mind. But with Module-it’s twelve years of experience withcontainer-based data centers manufacturedat our plant in Nantes, we have been able to paint a comprehensive picture of the benefits our customers have gained.

The primary advantage of containerized data centers stems from a radical shift in the nature of the project. Unlike traditional data center construction, which involves multiple sequential project phases (conceptual design, detailed design, construction, etc.), containerized or prefabricated data centers can be designed very quickly using a range of existing products and customized with numerous options. For IT directors, the purchasing process is similar to simply buying computer hardware. Factory construction is optimized and not dependent on external factors (COVID, access control, on-site noise restrictions, etc.).

The second advantage stems directly from the first: it’s about keeping deadlines and costs under control. The deadlines and costs at the start of the project are the same as those at the end! Incredible, isn’t it?

Fewer project phases mean fewer validation, waiting, and back-and-forth stages. There are also fewer project stakeholders. No need for multiple design firms, and fewer internal client teams are involved.

The modularity of the data center is also a direct result of the containerized data center’s design principle. Adding capacity modules (cooling, power, UPS, racks) is a natural and straightforward process. Shorter manufacturing lead times (typically six months) also help IT departments define their initial configuration with greater precision. The containerized data center is modular by design.

Portability is another undeniable advantage of containerized data centers. Who has evermoved a data center located in an existing building? Prefabricated data centers are easily relocatable. Power and network connections, mounting points, and structural integrity: everything is designed with transport in mind. The very small footprint also facilitates the relocation of containerized data centers.

The containerized data center gets back to basics: capacity, availability, and cost. It’s once again becoming an IT tool for IT professionals!