Who developed the Data Center Compass?
The Data Center Compass was developed by Acuity, a leading independent technology consulting firm in the United States. They have a tenured team of RCDDs (Registered Communication Distribution Designers) that hold a long list of technology certifications. Their core business is planning, designing, and managing the implementation of complex technology solutions relating to Data Centers, Cabling Infrastructures, Networks, Telecommunications, Voice Systems, and Physical Security. Acuity has several decades of hands-on experience, and is responsible for designing thousands of technology solutions for Fortune 500 Companies, Leading Technology Firms, World-Class Universities and Medical Centers. They bring a holistic perspective to the Data Center environment through their training, experience, and diverse industry knowledge.
Over the years, Acuity has gained the reputation of being “the” trusted design specialist. They understand the integrity of a Company is as important as the expertise required for mission critical infrastructure projects. In order to be the unbiased “trusted” resource, Acuity’s sole focus is on being the “Design Specialist” and not selling or endorsing any specific products or manufacturers. This has allowed them to guide organizations in finding the best solutions that fit each Company’s unique technology needs, and keep the focus on the organization’s fundamental mission: A robust and reliable infrastructure. Click here to learn more.
What is the Data Center Compass?
The Data Center Compass is a proprietary interactive budgeting and planning tool that Acuity uses internally for clients. A tool that was once only available to their clients’ has now been automated to provide on-demand access for the first phase of Data Center Planning. The Data Center Compass, is an online web-application that will aid with high-level design, cost modeling, and project validation. Now Executives, Facility and IT professionals can internally run through scenarios relating to Power, Cooling, Dimensions, Server and Rack Configurations, in an intuitive 5 Step process. The Data Center Compass will aid in establishing goals, design expectations, budgets, and site requirements. This gives you the ability to compare and contrast many design options and costs for white spaces ranging from 1,600 to 104,000 square feet, throughout the United States….in real time.
What does the Data Center Compass provide our organization?
- Conceptualize Design & Modeling for the Data Center
- Identify Project Constraints
- Troubleshoot Current Facilities
- Examine Growth Projections
- Generate System Specifications
- Detailed Reports for Decision Makers
Can IT parameters and requirements for the Data Center be automated for the Web?
Yes. The real value behind the Data Center Compass is making a complicated process look simple. Technology is ever changing and ever evolving. We find new ways to automate. You can now design homes and cars online. Why not run through conceptual designs and cost estimations for your Data Center? Although still a complex process, the web application’s databases grind through recommended design guidelines and parameters based on hands-on experience from Data Center design specialists, to provide answers in real time.
How do I know our Company’s information is safe?
Is the online web application time intensive to learn?
No. The front end of the Data Center tool was designed to be intuitive with an easy to use interface. Anyone who knows or has access to a few key variables for their facility as it relates to one of the following: Max kW per cabinet, Max Watts per Square Foot, Cooling Required, Dimensions of White Space, or Number of Total Servers; can intuitively navigate through the 5 simple steps. This will generate conceptual designs with cost estimations for the shell and interior of the Data Center retrofit or new build. Users of the Data Center Compass will have online access to step-by-step for self-paced learning.
Can we build or retrofit directly from the output and reports provided by this tool?
The cost estimations and information provided in the output of the Data Center Compass are to serve as a general guide to allow you to estimate the potential construction costs for a Data Center (New Build or Retrofit) during the schematic design phase. The purpose of schematic design (also known as high level design), is to make preliminary design decisions for the basic framework and specifications for the New Build or Retrofit Data Center Project. However, the Cost Information is based on current U.S. cost indices and assumptions for standard Data Center construction types, quality and condition of inclusions which may differ from your personal circumstances. There is customarily a variance of 15-40% that can be expected in this early design phase before detailed design has been completed. The software does not take into account hardware costs, migration costs, capital costs, land costs, or real estate fees and costs. You acknowledge and agree you must undertake your own analysis and obtain additional architectural, engineering, construction, and financial advice customarily incorporated in the subsequent Design & Construction Phases, to arrive at a complete project budget.
Any statements, estimates, or projections in the Cost Information concerning equipment and construction costs are not a representation as to future matters. No representation is made that your construction costs will be the same as for the relevant general building type in the Cost Information.
Neither Acuity Solutions, nor its directors, or advisors make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the Cost Information. Nor will they have any liability to you or any other party for any representations (express or implied) contained in, or any omissions from, the Cost Information.
What phase of Data Center planning does the Data Center Compass help me with?
IT architecture follows the same major phases as the traditional process for Architecture: Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), Construction Documents (CD), Bidding and Contract Negotiation (BID), and Construction Administration (CA). The first half of planning for a Data Center consists of Schematic Design and Design Development. It is in these planning phases where you have the greatest opportunity for errors and oversights.
In Schematic Design (also known as conceptual or high level design), the primary objective is to gain a basic understanding of project constraints, establish goals, and explore solutions that support the desired outcomes and business needs. Constraints and preferences help define and redefine complete system concepts until you arrive at a clearly defined feasible project. The Data Center Compass gets you through the Schematic Design (SD) phase and helps mitigate some of the errors and oversights that can occur during this phase.
Why should I use the Data Center Compass for the early stages of Data Center planning?
- Automate the First Phase in Data Center Planning
- Run through different design and budget scenarios with less internal resources and time.
- Compare the cost to build in different locations in the U.S in minutes.
- The power to internally explore alternative design concepts, and costs in days.
- Establish budget early in the process to ensure realistic relationship with conceptual design to the newly retrofitted or constructed facility.
- Intuitive 5 Step Process to determine project feasibility and cost in a fraction of the time.
- Shell & Interior Construction Estimates & Context in a consolidated detailed report.
How does the tool provide me with cost estimations based on current technology in the Data Center?
Acuity’s core business is to provide professional technology design services Fortune 500 Companies, Leading Technology Firms, World-Class Universities and Medical Centers. Acuity has to be up-to-date and abreast of the current features, prices, and solutions all across the technology spectrum. All base costs used in the calculations for network equipment, cable infrastructure, cooling, power, and fire suppression are based on premium grade products and current pricing. These costs are updated annually or when significant pricing changes occur in the market relating to any of these areas.
Do costs in different zip codes across the United States impact the estimates for the exterior when building a new Data Center?
Yes. Costs for materials and labor impacts estimates for the exterior (or shell) of the facility depending on the current or desired project location. The Data Center Compass uses cost indices for each zip code to make adjustments to cost estimations that relate to materials and labor for the exterior of the Data Center for New Construction. (Cost Indices are updated quarterly)
How can this tool be used to assess my current Data Center?
A Data Center will not always show signs that it is failing or getting “sick”. This tool can be used to perform diagnostics of your facility. Now, IT professional can start solving the potential issues before they become major problems in the Data Center. Just input known variables for the current Data Center to determine limitations for Power, Cooling, Density, and Space. You can now proactively forecast your current facilities ability to accommodate organizational growth.
How does the Data Center Compass save money?
Calculating the budget for a Data Center is a delicate and time consuming process. What the Data Center Compass does is automate and streamline portions of the early stages in the programming, design and feasibility aspects of the process. Taking a process that can typically take 3-9 months and collapse it into 3-9 days. On average, costs for this process can range from $50,000-150,000 for design services. The Compass gives organizations access to run permutations internally saving your company a tremendous amount of time and money.
What value does the Data Center Compass provide?
Context! When you are looking to buy a house you tell your realtor “I want 3 bedrooms, 2 car garage, 2.5 baths and my budget is $150,000-200,000”. The realtor needs context to help you find the house that fits your needs within your budget. It’s the same thing with an office space or Data Center. With a Data Center it is a little more difficult to come up with the context to justify the budget needed. Would you go to an architect, engineer, MEP, or technology consultant and say “I have a $10 million dollar budget? What does that get me?” The Data Center Compass provides you with the system specs needed to move forward with budget approval and Detailed Design (DD).
What Internet Browsers are recommended to support the Data Center Compass?
For OPTIMAL performance the following internet browsers are recommended: Internet Explorer (version 7+), Safari (version 3+), Firefox (version 3+), and Google Chrome (version 1+)
Are there any plug-ins required for the Data Center Compass?
The only plug-in required is Adobe Reader.
