A recent technical white paper from APC-Schneider Electric highlights the ten most common errors that occur when organizations attempt to commission their data centers.
"Commissioning is a process that, if not properly managed, can lead to a series of problematic data center performance issues," states the paper's analysis. "Everything from the early selection of the proper commissioning agent to the thorough documentation of the commissioning test results can influence whether or not the data center meets the expectations of the business sponsors."
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According to the paper, the ten mistakes are as follows:
1. Failure to engage a commissioning agent early on.
2. Failure to align with current technology.
3. Failure to identify clear roles.
4. Failure to validate script.
5. Failure to avoid budget cuts.
6. Failure to simulate heat loads.
7. Failure to identify weak links.
8. Failure to publish emergency procedures.
9. Failure to limit human fatigue.
10. Failure to update documentation.
See also: Causes and costs of data center outages
The white paper contends that proper data center commissioning requires a high level of coordination between vendors, facilities and IT department personnel, mechanical and electrical engineers, the commissioning agent, and others. A "holistic implementation approach that begins early in the data center design/build life cycle so that a truly integrated series of tests can be performed" is also crucial, contends the analysis.
View/Download the white paper.