This is a guest post by Edwin Deponte, a motivational writer who is also passionate about Social Marketing. He believes in others’ abilities and tends to bring out people’s hidden potentials through his words of inspirations and motivational articles.

Why Warehouses Make Great Data Centers

Warehouse spaces are popularly known to be large spaces for both commercial and industrial use. Industrial warehouse spaces are used for industrial purposes like factories, manufacturing, product storage, and even data centers. Industrial property management can be quite a hassle and may take a lot of time, effort, and resources from the company. However, not all spaces need too much maintenance. Some, like data centers, require just the right amount of weekly equipment inspection.

Data centers are large infrastructures or facilities which houses a particular company’s IT operations and equipment. This is also where company data are stored, managed, and – when needed – distributed. Most data centers are situated in warehouse spaces nowadays, because of its versatility. Listed in this article are factors to be considered when deciding whether you should host your data center in a warehouse or not.

Space

Warehouses are large spaces. If you plan on putting all your company’s IT operations and equipment somewhere, you’ll need that space. Here’s why:

• Since warehouses have so much space, you can house almost all, if not all, of your equipment in a single place. This cuts down on cost and maintenance.
• IT operations and equipment require lots of space both for your employees to move around and your equipment to be safeguarded and at the right temperature. Warehouses offer that.

Most warehouse spaces are designed in a way that makes them perfect as data centers: the height of their ceilings will most likely match the space needed for tall racks and other overhead equipment.

Versatility

Usually, warehouses are turned over to you as it is. Plain, without much equipment or infrastructure built inside. In the case of a data center, that’s a plus. If you plan on utilizing a warehouse for your company’s data center, you can always map out the whole area and decide where specifically to place your IT equipment. Not only that, but you can also make an organized floor plan of where operations will be placed, where merely equipment is allowed, and where proper ventilation or cooling systems will be placed.

Location

Location is one of the most important factors to consider when setting up a company office, especially when utilizing data centers. Since warehouse spaces are expected to hold large amounts of products or goods, they are near main roads, thus offering easy access, but also in relatively remote locations, therefore secure. Also, it’s always best to consider setting up in a location far from earthquake fault lines, and where power and other important resources are accessible.

Security

Most data centers are designed to maintain the safety and security of both employees and IT equipment. CCTV cameras are usually operated for 24 hours, and only a few windows and man traps are made – just enough for proper ventilation to pass through. Also, since most warehouse spaces are located far from residential areas, crowds are unlikely, thus minimizing security and theft concerns. Of course, companies should still invest in security personnel.

Cooling Systems

if you’re lucky, you may come across a warehouse which has specifically been built as a data center. Most warehouses’ high walls and efficient ventilation will be a good match good for your IT operations, but there are also warehouses which come equipped with their own cooling systems and backup generators, thus preventing unstable power supply or outages.

Easier Access

Given a warehouse’s large space, you may even house your offices next to it, thus enjoying twin benefits. Since all IT operations and equipment are located in one area, you obtain easier access to your company’s data. And you won’t have to drive from one place to another because all operations will be, essentially, under one roof.

Wrapping Up

Warehouse spaces can be versatile spaces, ideal for a variety of companies who wish to utilize them. If you’re looking to build your next data center, setting it inside a warehouse may prove a cost-effective and efficient choice!