FEATURE
multitude of benefits. As Daniel Bizo,
Principal Analyst 451 Research, recently
stated: “PFM methodology is becoming
TELCOS WILL
NEED A MIX OF
AMBITION, SMART
PLANNING AND
AN INVESTMENT
IN CUTTING EDGE-
TECHNOLOGY TO
BRING VISION
TO REALITY AND
ENJOY THE KIND
OF BOX-OFFICE
SUCCESS THAT
THEY HOPE FOR.
38
Issue 09
the preferred way to expand and build
new data centre capacity, turnkey or
critical subsystems. Underpinned by
industrial processes, it has distinct
advantages in terms of quality control,
installation speed and build consistency.”
The advances of a PFM approach include:
• Speed and cost: Using repeatable
designs enables simplicity, resulting in
an efficient, automated and low-risk
design process for PFM data centres.
This means the time for commissioning
a data centre is cut to just a few days
instead of weeks or months. The
pre-engineered design also provides
greater cost-certainty for customers
by reducing the likelihood of additional
on-site modifications.
• Quality control: With PFM data
centres the potential for quality issues
is reduced as complex mechanical and
electrical integration can be pre-tested
and optimised in a factory environment.
Additionally, all systems, from
cooling to data centre infrastructure
management (DCIM), are configured in
concert, resulting in a tightly integrated
facility that can meet the highest
standards of availability and efficiency
• Flexibility: Edge data centre
deployments to support 5G use cases
can vary, from city facilities to single,
hardened-racks next to 5G masts on a
building rooftop. Creating a bespoke,
stick build for each of these will be near
impossible. However, PFM data centres
can be custom designed to match the
geography, climate, technology profile,
IT applications and business objectives
of a project while taking advantage of
the speed and economy of modular
design and pre-fabrication.
When it comes to capitalising on the 5G
opportunity, just like Hollywood studios,
telcos will need a mix of ambition, smart
planning and an investment in cutting
edge-technology to bring vision to reality
and enjoy the kind of box-office success
that they hope for. ◊
www.intelligentdatacentres.com