Why a checklist helps
Data center deals are long, expensive and hard to unwind. The problems that hurt most are usually predictable and were visible before signing, if someone had asked. Use these questions as a starting point and adapt them to your situation. Ask for answers in writing, and for evidence where you can get it.
Power
- How much power is contracted to this site, from which utility, and what is the status of that commitment?
- How much of it is available to me, and on what dates?
- Is the capacity firm or conditional on construction, approvals or equipment still to arrive?
- What is the power source, and how is price handled: fixed, or passed through?
- What redundancy applies, and does it reduce the capacity I can actually use?
Cooling and density
- What is the maximum rack density for my hall, and is it in production today?
- Which cooling method will serve my racks, and who maintains it?
- What happens to my deployment if the cooling system loses capacity?
Network
- Which carriers and cloud on-ramps are in the building?
- Can I bring my own fabric, and what are the cross-connect terms?
- What upgrade path exists as bandwidth needs grow?
Site and operations
- What are the physical security, certification and audit arrangements?
- What are the delivery and commissioning timelines, and what has slipped on past projects?
- What do remote hands, shipping and receiving, and on-site storage cost?
- Can I speak to a current customer running similar hardware?
Commercial terms
- What are the term, renewal rights and escalators?
- What happens if the provider misses the ready date?
- What expansion rights and pricing do I have beyond the first phase?
- What fees sit outside the headline price?
Read the answers, and the silences
Pay attention to what is not answered. Vague responses about dates, power status or density are information. A provider confident in its capacity will usually share specifics and references readily.
Want a second pair of eyes on a proposal? Talk to an expert.