Data Center Portfolio Governance

Companies that offer Data Center Services or organizations with data center investments in various geographies assume the cost of owning multiple data centers for the purpose of having extensive and agile services and geographically redundant operations. Another advantage of owning multiple data centers is the economies of scale to be achieved by the organization through the information and flexibility offered by a data center portfolio.

It is usually important for each data center to perform its own operation internally to ensure high business continuity and performance. Even if each facility is the same on a project basis, each should be considered as a different work. Even if there are similarities, differences in implementation, materials, equipment, environmental conditions, quality, planning and human errors prevent facilities from being operated identically. The priorities, risks and challenges of each facility may vary.

On the other hand, the know-how and experience of owning multiple data centers should strictly help to increase operational standard and performance as a reference for each site while reducing costs without decreasing performance. DC portfolio governance is defined as achieving strategy, vision and coordination in view of high performance and low cost targets by utilizing the joint experience and know-how of multiple data centers. Various differences such as:

• Geographical conditions
• Critical site scale information
• White Space configuration
• Technologies and configurations used
• Consumption details
• Operating conditions
• Local support opportunities

corresponding to the following parameters;

• Geographical profile
• IT and infrastructure inventory lists
• Criticality level and risks
• Redundancy and immunities of each site
• Service provider’s quality and accessibility
• Maintenance and operation capability and period
• Site effectiveness and efficiency
• Case and failure profiles

constitute the basis for creating the strategy. Common advantages can be obtained by aligning the sites in the context of this determined strategy. A standard is set for current and future sites. Resource balancing becomes leaner and more visible against expected performance. Roles, responsibilities and the reporting chain are optimized. Critical information becomes actionable information at the corporate level.