Data Center

RESULTS: Successfully managed the relocation of a major corporate data center, within a radically short window of only 4 months, including supplier selection, contract negotiation, relocation, and program management. This 80-rack, 180 kW data center move involved relocating over 200 servers from Houston and Sunnyvale (corporate internal data centers) to Phoenix (I/O Data Center co-location facility).

CHALLENGE: The complexity of relocating a data center of this size, in such a short timeframe, with no significant application downtime, created significant challenges. Coordinating with various network service providers, sub-contractors, departmental project leaders, and IBM specialists added layers of complexity. Ensuring a seamless transition without loss of data or service interruptions, while negotiating a long-term contract, required meticulous planning and careful execution.

ACTIONS: Conducted a comprehensive assessment of the existing data center locations in Houston and Sunnyvale, and selected the Phoenix (I/O Data Center co-lo) as the optimal relocation site. Managed contract negotiations, resulting in a mutually beneficial 10-year, $20 million agreement. Created a detailed relocation plan and timeline, coordinating directly with multiple sub-contractors, communication network vendors, departmental project team leaders, and IBM data center move specialists. Conducted regular reviews and updates to ensure alignment with project goals. Promptly identified and resolved issues during the relocation process, adhering to the stringent 4-month timeline. The careful orchestration and decisive actions led to the successful relocation and contract establishment, demonstrating excellence in program management.