Five Common Myths about Prefabricated Modular Data Centers

By: RK Mission Critical

In my blog post entitled, “Top Ten Data Center Predictions for 2016.” I predicted that 2016 would be The Year of Modular. This year we saw an increasing number companies in data-intensive industries such as healthcare, retail and financial services add prefabricated modular (PFM) data centers to their technology portfolios. Yet despite this surge in popularity, many organizations are still reticent to adopt them. I get it – there are a lot of mixed messages circulating in the marketplace. Read on as I debunk the five most common myths about PFM data centers.

Myth #1 – PFM data centers are an unproven, risky investment

This is a common misconception. According to 451 Research, there are at least 50 vendors that claim to provide PFM data center solutions. Since each of them has their own service offerings and construction methods, it pays to do your research. In the case of RK Mission Critical, the technology used in our off-site constructed data center is the same as can be found in traditionally constructed data centers.

Myth #2 – PFM data centers aren’t secure

Beginning in 2014 (aka – “The Year of the Breach”), industry stalwarts such as Target, Anthem and JPMorgan Chase all fell victim to expensive, high profile data breaches. Each of these cyber attacks led to fines, executive departures, lost revenue – and IT teams scrambling to figure out what went wrong. As a result, many of them mistakenly assume that PFM data centers are less secure than those that are traditionally constructed. However, PFM data centers can offer even higher levels of security. For example, indoor data center units are designed for colocation providers to maximize the mechanical and electrical infrastructure within their existing real estate asset, but also leverage the existing security system. Unlike building out existing space with the standard raised floors and cages, enclosed modular units offer another layer of security for customers that demand it – which is pretty much everyone these days.

Myth #3 – PFM data centers result in increased capital costs

With so many new vendors entering the market, it’s easy to get confused about what services and solutions they really offer. There are a limited number of “stock” PFM data center vendors that have difficulty deviating from their standard offerings. So any changes you request can lead to a bigger bill. However, most PFM data center providers such as RK Mission Critical only offer custom-designed, purpose-built solutions that meet an enterprise’s current needs with the ability to scale easily. Our solutions often result in less capital expense.

Myth #4 – PFM data centers are only good for certain workloads

People get thrown off by the term “modular.” They often envision small, enclosed spaces that are limited by their dimensions. Which is why RK Mission Critical refers to its solutions as “off-site constructed data centers.” Our PFM data centers can be used to create larger contiguous spaces that have a similar look and feel as traditional data centers. They provide almost limitless design flexibility, allowing enterprises to create structures that meet their exact requirements.

Myth #5 – PFM data centers force you into using their technology

People often confuse the term “pre-fabricated” with having limited vendor and technology choices. However, RK Mission Critical and other manufacturers offer custom solutions that are vendor and technology-agnostic. This approach provides IT teams the freedom and flexibility to configure their environments using any technology vendors they choose.

Considering investing in PFM data centers, but not sure where to start? The RK Mission Critical team stands ready to help. Contact us to discuss your specific data center needs.