CONTAINERISED DATA CENTRES

FROM ADVANCED POWER TECHNOLOGY

For the uninitiated, the continerised data centre world can seem like a very confusing place, with seemingly bewildering discussions covering the pros and cons of prefabricated data centres vs containerised solutions. In this article we’ll aim to simplify the process of choosing the best option for your business or organisation, starting with a brief outline of each type of data centre.

Prefabricated data centres

Prefabricated data centres have been around for over a decade, providing a wide range and impressive list of benefits for sectors ranging from education and healthcare, through to automotive and defence. Unlike traditional brick and mortar data centre designs, prefabricated data centres are tailored to meet the specific requirements of an individual business; providing a turnkey solution which seamlessly combines thermal management, power and more.

Read Our Case Studies

Newcastle Civic Centre Data Centre Refresh
Serving 300,000 local residents
Manchester Met Uni Case Study
Energy cost reduction of 30%

Data centre design and build is a cornerstone of our business, with over 30 years experience – there isn’t a better placed team to manage your project.

Containerised data centre solutions

Containerised data centres use pre-engineered containers or cabins to house a modular data centre. Like prefabricated data centres, the concept of containerised solutions has been around for some time, offering a practical, fully transportable solution.

Prefabricated vs containerised

Returning to the issue of selecting the best option for your business, it’s worth bearing in mind that although there are differences between prefabricated and containerised data centres, both are pre-assembled and delivered on-site, ready to go.

Pre-assembled data centre systems such as these are often described as containerised, prefabricated, modular, mobile or portable. However, there are clear and important distinctions between the various types on the market.

Containerised data centres

Containerised data centres are often referred to in the public sector as isotope (ISO) containers. ISO containers are standard-sized, reusable steel shipping containers which are especially designed to safely and efficiently transport materials from one destination to another. ISO containers are standardised, with regulations covering a wide range of features including dimensions, markings and identification. Standardisations such as these are intended to make the process of handling simpler and standardised.

ISO containers are obviously ideal for outside use and thanks to their strength, durability, transportability and practical design, are also highly suited to situations where rapid deployment of a data centre is required. As a result, they are often used to bring technology directly to military scenarios.

Prefab modular data centres – a quick and efficient solution

Prefabricated systems offer the ideal approach for businesses or organisations looking for a data centre that’s up and running and located outside of a fixed space. Universities and colleges, for example, are often very restricted space-wise, limiting the range of options available. However, the demand for speed and processing continues to grow. Prefabricated data centres can offer a practical, cost-effective solution, with a range of options available including fully prefabricated; a data centre which is entirely comprised of prefabricated power, cooling and IT, or micro; a data centre which is self-contained within a single enclosure housing IT, power and cooling.

Fully prefabricated data centres have one significant advantage over ISO containerised solutions as they are not restricted by the standard ISO size, and can be linked together to create a larger space if required. Furthermore, ISO containers don’t have much clearance space and when you subtract the room required for a standard sized IT cabinet, very little clearance room remains.

In comparison to containerised solutions, prefab data centres offer upwards of 0.8 metres of additional clearance, providing much needed extra space in which to work comfortably. In addition, further enhanced flexibility can be provided by joining multiple units together, as already mentioned.

Last and by no means least, it’s also worth mentioning that increasing numbers of businesses are opting for micro data centres which offer a compact and less intrusive design solution in comparison to traditional wall-mounted cabinets.

UK providers of prefabricated and containerised data centres

At Advanced Power Technology we offer a wide range of both prefabricated, containerised and micro data centre solutions for businesses and organisations throughout the UK. Offering the ideal alternative to a traditional brick and mortar approach to data centre design, our modular data centres are energy efficient, providing a range of security features and a safe place in which to house your critical data.

We know that choosing the best modular approach can seem daunting, so if you’d like to find out more about how our solutions can help you improve efficiency, make energy savings and maximise space, please get in touch.