Data Center Design Consulting From Start to Finish

1. Site Selection & Evaluation

Philosophy:

Choosing the right location is the single most critical factor in data center success. A misstep can result in high latency, costly power rates, zoning issues, or limited expansion options. USDCS believes in a data-driven approach, analyzing multiple factors to ensure long-term viability. Data center consulting services are in high demand as are a companies need to expand. Speak to one of our Design professionals today.

Our Methodology:

  1. Power Infrastructure Analysis:

    • Utility Provider Agreements: We analyze power availability, pricing models, and long-term contracts with local utilities.

    • When should an on site sub station be considered? when it requires a large and reliable power supply, typically exceeding 10 megawatts, or when it needs to control the power variable for faster market entry and increased flexibility and scalability

    • Capacity & Scalability: We assess whether a site supports current and future power demands.

  2. Fiber Connectivity & Network Infrastructure:

    • USDCS conducts a fiber route assessment, mapping dark fiber, carrier-neutral facilities, and cloud on-ramps to major providers like AWS, Google, and Azure.

    • In some scenarios it becomes viable to create a mesh network of service providers to achieve the design in resiliency and scale.

  3. Geopolitical & Environmental Risk Assessment:

    • Climate considerations (hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, etc.).

    • Tax incentives for data centers.

    • Regulatory compliance and permitting requirements.

  4. Comparative Analysis & ROI Modeling:

    • We create a financial model comparing multiple locations for total cost of ownership (TCO), uptime, and potential savings.

      • Evaluation of the local market of providers in the region.:

        • We identify who would be the competition

Real-World Experience:

  • USDCS helped an AI compute facility in Ohio secure a site with 240MW of available power, ensuring a future-proof location for scaling operations. Our professional team of data center design consulting experts worked closely every step of the way.

Data Center Consulting

How to design a data center

There are no required or obligated standards for data center design or construction. A data center is intended to fit the unique needs of the overall business, not the reverse. However, the primary purpose of any standard is to establish a common platform of best practices. An assortment of current data center standards exists, and a business can incorporate one or more standards -- or parts of standards -- into a data center project. Standards help ensure adequate attention is placed on these factors, among others:

  • Conceptual design.

  • Layout and space planning.

  • Building construction requirements.

  • Physical security issues.

  • Building internals (mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire systems).

  • Operations and workflows.

  • Maintenance.