The Situation
A global financial services firm approached Digital Realty Trust (DLR) with an urgent need for data center capacity. They needed to host a new application requiring two identically configured data center suites in two separate geographic regions. The application required a minimum of 1.5MW of power per site.
The Challenge
The customer turned to Digital Realty, who had the required data center capacity immediately available and fully commissioned – one in Piscataway, NJ and one in Ashburn, VA. However, to satisfy the lease terms, DLR needed to turn over a fully fit-out space in 35 days. The interior fit-out included conduits from the data center suites to the street, all power distribution from PDU to RPP to cabinet receptacles, all overhead pathways for cabling distribution and a complex structured fiber optic cabling plant. These components were valued at over $4M per site.
The Solution
Align has had extensive fit-out experience working with both Digital Realty and the Customer and committed to meet the 35-day buildout schedule to begin equipment acceptance. Align immediately ordered long-lead items, created all construction documents, and contracted each piece of work. All materials and labor for the fit-out were folded into the lease agreement creating an OPEX spend for the end-user. Working triple shifts throughout the 35-day engagement Align and Digital Realty ultimately executed the build on time, on budget and without change orders.
The Result
There were several positive benefits to all parties involved:
- Both sites in Ashburn, VA and Piscataway, NJ were ready for customer equipment within 35 days meeting the client requirement.
- Align coordinated and executed all customer equipment installs and provided the structured cable design with extensive documentation.