I have been writing about a bunch of other things besides data centers. In some ways what gets discussed in the media about data centers is getting old and boring. So what if Microsoft builds a data center in Finland as part of the acquisition of Nokia's phone devices? $250 mil spent over years is probably a data center in the 10-15MW range with 40% spend on the data center, 40% spent on the equipment and 20% for various other costs to run the data center. Data centers are now discussed broadly in the media. The data center media has morphed as the people have changed jobs or companies have been acquired.
What is up with the data center industry? 6 months ago I would say the big are getting bigger, the small are getting smaller, and the middle is keeping quiet as they find it harder to do business.
What do I say now? The truth in data centers will be driving many changes in data centers. Those who contribute to hype will decrease. To be cost competitive, you need to save money. But making people do more with less, is not necessarily the best way long term if designs are not well thought out. To optimize a solution overall, you need to see the truth of what works and what doesn't. Shaving costs can create a whack-a-mole problem. I have heard of people who reduce their construction costs by eliminating work typically done and making it part of the operations team. Or designs that sacrifice best practices in operation, increasing operating costs and reduces availability.
I have heard rumblings of changes. Data Centers are not easy to run, they can be temperamental if not designed right.
“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
― Marilyn Monroe
Here are a few more quotes of the "truth" that can be applied to data centers.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”
― Gloria Steinem
