Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/288390
18 | THE DATA CENTER JOURNAL www.datacenterjournal.com ...by design. At STARLINE, our busway systems can be customized to meet your exact specifi cations at any time. From a wide variety of specialized plug-in units, to multiple feed options, our single-minded focus is easy to see. To learn more about the choices that STARLINE Track Busway gives you, visit StarlinePower.com or call us at +1 724-597-7800. more services to cut through the competi- tive clutter. e firm notes: "One of the major trends in the Data Center Colocation Services market in North America is the decreasing prices of colocation services across the region. With an increasing number of colocation vendors entering the market and provid- ing colocation services to enterprises, there is increasing competition being witnessed among vendors. Increasing price competition is leading to decreasing prices and more services being provided to customers." is puts the potential for growth and increased market share at risk. Data centers are quickly running out of space, meaning more are turning to the colo model. According to the Uptime Institute, more than one-third of data center facili- ties were estimated to run out of space, power and cooling by 2012. To ease the burden, nearly 30 percent of companies noted they'll turn to a colocation model. Another analyst report says the drain on power resources is forcing the C-Suite to look at the colocation alternative as well. e firm reports that the world's major data centers can realistically run out of power, cooling or space by the end of 2014. us, the need for colocation provid- ers has never been more important. It's no longer the best strategy to go for the quick sale with low price. Focus must be on building the data center right from the start – with an ability to adapt and add-on infrastructure and power needs alongside the customer. POWERING FOR GROWTH One of the most critical components of any colocation facility is the power necessary to keep it running. With the growing threat of outages, protecting core information and ensuring near 100 percent uptime is essential. One need only look at today's headlines to see how costly power failure can be. In July 2013, Sears reported that two consecutive power failures cost the company more than $2 million in lost profits – not including the $3 million cost of fixing the problem. e culprit was one of the most essential pieces of a data center power infrastructure: the uninterruptible power supply (UPS). UPS systems are electrical components providing emergen- cy energy to a load when main power fails. As opposed to an emergency generator, the system is designed to offer near-instanta- neous protection. When the same situation is trans- posed to a colocation environment, it can cost customers. at's why taking a cost- cutting view into the power infrastructure can be so devastating. Analysts note one of the top downfalls of service providers is their inability to future-proof power infra- structures. Scalability is always a concern in planning for power: "With this continual demand for [colocation services], there are also heightened concerns about scalability features along with cost-effective manage- ment of the need for increasing computing resources and the related power capacity. Budding businesses seeking colocation facilities can future-proof their data center investment by selecting a facility that lever- ages a high-density scalable infrastructure for future upgradability." In planning for expansion, technolo- gies such as Diesel-based UPS (DRUPS) are now taking center stage as core enablers of a scalable power system – and colos must stop and take notice. DRUPS: PUTTING THE "UP" IN UPS Diesel Rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply (DRUPS) is a system with the abil- ity to provide continuous power. ese machines are oen the foundation to cost- effective power that grows alongside the business. For colos to avoid devastating power loss, a DRUPS system should be the centerpiece of its growth strategy. With a life expectancy of nearly 30 years, systems can withstand both current and future infrastructure needs. Colos can reap the benefits of cost savings while still planning for the future and leveraging scalability. Additionally, environmental costs are sig- nificantly reduced as the service provider no longer needs to worry about the envi- ronmental impact of battery disposal. Additionally, if a service provider can build within a smaller physical footprint, there are lower costs associated with developing the space to ensure they remain competitive. On the average, DRUPS systems typically occupy 50 percent of the square footage of comparable battery systems. is translates into high scalabil- ity with no need for additional footprint for accommodation of a growing infrastruc- ture. Also, service providers aren't required to spend excessive amounts of money to keep temperatures low – as DRUPS systems don't require overcooling. Again, this con- tributes to scalability, allowing more room for equipment and less for cooling. Of course, there's the impact to reli- ability – the very lifeblood of a colo. A DRUPS system is specifically designed to drive uptime no matter what the infrastructure size. While static UPS systems only recharge aer main voltage is returned, there's no need to recharge a rotary system since it always maintains a charged state. And they do it more quickly. Static systems take several hours to recharge. With a rotary option, this is cut to no more than 10 minutes. By providing immediate power, there's an added layer of protec- tion. With analysts estimating the average cost of data center downtime at $8,000 per minute, this could mean the difference between a colo's success and failure. Taking a high-level view, a DRUPS system can be an effective foundation for any colocation provider. e strategy ensures they can harness a power infra- structure driving reliability now – with the scalability needs for the future. BE PREPARED e colocation industry is rapidly expanding, as typical data centers quickly run out of physical space. With increased demand, service providers must act now to future-proof their infrastructure and plan for current and future uptime. With po- tential costs to physically upgrade a poorly designed infrastructure running into the millions, now's the time for colos to plan for the future. Because to survive and thrive in to- day's business environment, the answer can oen be found with DRUPS at the core. n About the Author: David Mazur is Chief Technologist and Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Hitec Power Protection, Inc., a global technology leader in dynamic UPS systems for the supply of uninterruptible, continuous, and conditioned power to mission critical applications.