Technical Project Management:
Research & Development Data Centers

Optimizing Underutilized  Hardware Environments

In the face of spatial disarray and escalating energy costs, the client’s R&D lab required a transformative strategy. The intervention redefined operational efficiency, converting a chaotic workspace into a highly organized, energy-conscious data center for innovation.

  • Harmonized R&D workspace
  • Optimized technology asset usage
  • Ensured continuous system upgrades
  • Embedded energy-conscious operations

Energy Dollars Saved

%

Increase in Rack Space

SQFT of Space Optimized

Client Challenges

Within the client’s R&D lab, a blend of spatial chaos and escalating energy costs threatened to derail innovation. Cluttered workspaces and inefficient processes decreased productivity, while outdated technologies and a lack of standardized procedures slowed development speeds and inflated operational overheads. These critical issues hampered day-to-day operations and suppressed the lab’s ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive technological landscape.

The lab also needed help with efficient asset management and inadequate cooling systems. Misplaced or underutilized technology assets significantly increased operational costs and hindered productivity. Concurrently, the lab’s cooling systems were insufficient, placing essential equipment at risk and leading to excessive energy consumption. These deficiencies highlighted the outdated infrastructure and inefficient maintenance strategies, severely restricting the lab’s ability to function effectively.

Strategic Decisions

Resource and Space Optimization

Recognizing the need to realign the lab’s spatial configuration and resource utilization, the project initiated with a comprehensive assessment of the existing layout and asset distribution. This phase involved reorganizing the physical space to optimize workflow and implementing asset management practices. The strategy ensured that every piece of equipment was properly accounted for and optimally placed, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and productivity.

Process Standardization and Technological Upgrades

A series of best-practice protocols were introduced to address procedural inconsistency and outdated technology. These protocols standardized operations across development and quality assurance teams, facilitating a more cohesive work environment. Concurrently, the lab underwent a technological transformation, upgrading systems and software to ensure state-of-the-art facilities. This dual approach improved the quality and speed of hardware and software development while integrating cutting-edge technology that could scale with future demands.

Cooling System Redesign and Energy Management

Instead of replacing the existing cooling system, efforts were focused on repairing and optimizing it. Collaborating with vendors, the system underwent crucial repairs, and improvements were made to lab airflow, significantly reducing hot spots. These adjustments not only enhanced the performance and longevity of sensitive equipment but also contributed to substantial energy savings. Alongside this, energy management practices were refined to reduce operational costs further and improve the lab’s environmental footprint.

Project Highlights

Energy Conservation Initiatives

Optimization of power configurations and an upgrade to energy-efficient approaches resulted in significant annual energy savings at the lab. These targeted enhancements lowered operational expenses by boosting asset availability and redesigning heat distribution to increase cooling efficiency and peak hardware performance.

Strategic Asset Overhaul

The lab’s assets underwent a strategic reorganization, enhancing the functionality and placement of over 500 pieces of equipment. This overhaul improved operational flow and maximized the utilization of technological resources, facilitating a more productive environment.

Cooling System Overhaul

Reorganizing air flow from hardware devices and collaborating with HVAC vendors improved the lab’s cooling capacity. These adjustments significantly enhanced efficiency, ensuring the longevity of sensitive equipment while maintaining energy cost-effectiveness.

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Equipment Lifecycle Management

By implementing prcess to manage each phase of the equipment’s lifecycle—from acquisition to eventual decommissioning—the lab maintained cutting-edge capabilities, reduced downtime, and streamlined resource allocation.

Business Impact

The transformation of this lab represents an achievement in operational efficiency and strategic resource management. The project culminated in an organized, streamlined, and energy-conscious workspace, resulting in a significant reduction of annual energy costs by $50,000 and 18% reclaimed rack space.

By reconfiguring over 4,200 square feet of data center space, the client’s productivity and collaboration between software development and quality assurance teams improved by reducing the engineering team time requirements inside the lab by 50 hours a month. The implementation of comprehensive data center procedures and best practices allowed for a culture of sustained efficiency, directly supporting the company’s innovative drive within the telecommunications industry.

The introduction of inventory controls and asset management protocols optimized the allocation of technology and rack space resources. These actions contributed to a leaner operation, decommissioning outdated and underutilized equipment and refining the overall utility and maintenance of the lab’s assets.

Strategic vendor negotiations addressed the lab’s power and cooling challenges without the need for expensive system replacements, further showcasing the commitment to cost-effective solutions.