Data Center Relocation Consultants – What Do You Need To Know?

What is a data center relocation?

A data center relocation is a process of moving IT assets from one data center to another. It can also be referred to as a data center migration or a data center move. The global data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 2% during the period 2019-2025. Companies are outgrowing their existing infrastructure, increasing business capacity or launching new products and services. Change in physical data center needs is inevitable. Data center relocation consultants can help guide your team through this change and avoid common pitfalls. 

 

When your digital infrastructure requirements change, there are several options to consider:

• Moving from a private cloud to other cloud solutions
• Moving to an on-site set-up
• Data center consolidation 
• Colocation

This article focuses mainly on the transformation of the physical infrastructure and what you need to know about working with data center relocation consultants.

Eight reasons to work with data center relocation consultants

1. Keeps your IT staff focused on maintaining current business and winning future clients
2. Minimizes downtime of mission-critical equipment
3. Provides overall cost savings via procedural efficiencies and data center move expertise
4. Utilizes a network of skilled data center technicians and project managers whose experience is in moving data centers
5. Handles OEM packing for racks and devices 
6. Can recommend value-added services such as switch configuration, cabling, and remote connectivity
7. Provides post-move support
8. Offers seamless, end to end data center migration

Data center relocation consultants are familiar with all of the nuances of a move and can provide thorough planning. They consider issues such as minimizing the risk of software and hardware failures during transit and failures due to improper cabling. This support will pay attention to details such as rack standards, time zones, arranging for escort badges in advance, and confirmation of delivery truck schedules. Importantly, they will reconfirm that all technicians involved have reviewed and understood the project plan. Finally, data center relocation consultants are experienced in the latest safety procedures, including protocols around Covid-19. 

Top Links

• Data Center Relocation – Six Steps To Success
• 10 Reasons to Migrate Your On-Premise Data Center into Colocation or Cloud
• Data Centers Checklists

Ways you can work with data center relocation consultants

• Professional project management with refined project execution
• Contingency planning and risk management
• IT staff planning and recruiting
• Identifying needs for specialized equipment and transportation
• Obtaining comprehensive insurance to reduce risk
• Outsource entire data center move
• Pair outsourced data center relocation consultants with the in-house team

Whether outsourcing an entire data center migration or using a combination of in-house and outsourced talent, be certain that each phase of the project is professionally staffed. This will ensure a flawless relocation for your organization.

Data center relocation phases

1. Planning
   1. Assign or recruit Project Manager
   2. Hold a pre-planning meeting to gather initial information
   3. Establish a timeline of deliverables
   4. Outline relocation team manpower and safety requirements
2. Site Survey
   1. Identify assets
   2. Define specialized equipment and transportation needs
   3. Determine AC and ventilation requirements
   4. Outline network requirements
   5. Map out safety requirements and physical obstacles
3. Deinstallation
   1. Project Manager and team travel and onsite schedule
   2. Equipment labeling
   3. Data center cable management best practices
   4. Secure equipment for transport
   5. Complete and communicate documentation
4. Transportation
   1. Movers are bonded, insured
   2. Oversight for loading and unloading
   3. Back up plans for transit
   4. Contingency plans for unplanned emergencies
5. Reinstallation
   1. Project Manager and team travel and onsite schedule
   2. Position equipment and server racks for installation
   3. Verify operations
   4. Perform system diagnostics
   5. Correct error diagnoses
   6. Connect system to the network
   7. Onsite equipment replacement as necessary
6. Post-Relocation
   1. Complete testing
   2. Follow through on decommissioning and disposal specifications
   3. Use a post-migration checklist to confirm all requirements have been met
   4. Documentation thoroughly checked and approved
   5. Complete client and team feedback loop
   6. Communicate best practices for future projects

One missed step can create problems in even the least complex data center move. Whether using internal resources, an outsourced migration solution provider, or some combination of the two, be certain that each phase of the project is professionally staffed. Data center relocation consultants can provide estimates, dependencies, and risks associated with each task and can be the key to a successful data center relocation.

When it’s time to consolidate or leave your data center space, Silverback can help minimize your workload and maximize your return. We are data center relocation consultants with expertise in managing and executing a device-level or full rack integration project of any size and complexity.