The conference, which took place in Reston, VA, a major industry hub, included a breezeway and a hall of vendors, leading to a massive ballroom packed with about 800 round-table attendees. All were eager for industry updates on trends and evolving infrastructure needs from panels that included government officials, data center operators, suppliers, and even TikTok. The key topics addressed included edge computing, sustainability initiatives, and the impact of 5G on data center infrastructure.

Data Processing will move closer to the source in the coming years. This means that operators will deploy smaller facilities with the same mission-critical infrastructure needs rather than relying on centralized data centers. To address this demand, in addition to building traditional massive facilities commonly located in the middle of nowhere that have already been built, contractors will need to develop new construction strategies for smaller-scale facilities located in high-density populated areas, industrial sites, and Internet of Things (loT) deployment areas. Smaller facilities close to the site of direct use will provide end users with faster processing times and reduced latency, particularly for new technologies, including augmented reality, IoT devices, and autonomous vehicles (fully automated driving systems). According to Amazon Web Services conference panelists, data center designs must integrate seamlessly into communities and meet the preferences of end-user needs. Aside from typical physical and location design constraints, construction solutions must be designed with future growth and environmental hazards in mind.

 

Sustainability standards were a common denominator throughout the conference. Data Center operators strive to become the greenest facilities on the planet. Construction contractors can help operators achieve this goal by selecting solutions that decrease energy consumption and minimize environmental impact. Currently, suppliers are working on implementing renewable energy sources, optimizing cooling systems, and adopting efficient hardware designs. Contractors must collaborate with suppliers like Fibergrate to determine whether or not a material is the best sustainable option for the project and no longer settle for quick, cost-effective material options that negatively impact the environment. These eco-friendly standards will continue to be upheld by leading data center operators.

 

With the rollout of 5G, contractors in the audience were told to prepare for a spike in data center building upgrades, cell towers, and small cell networks to accommodate demand. These technological advancements require infrastructure design and construction changes, including denser networks, different cooling systems, and better security measures. A key focus for contractors will be collaboration with the entire 5G supply chain to streamline timely project delivery and guarantee successful deployments.

To stay competitive, contractors constantly seek ways to increase project efficiency and flexibility. Selecting Fibergrate products assures contractors flexible, resilient, and scalable products and services for data center construction. Custom fabricated solutions include top-notch design and project support.

Fibergrate's 50-year history of structural engineering excellence and expert knowledge of composite material solutions ensures unmatched support during the Data Center design process. Utilizing an internal team of reputable, registered professional structural engineers and drafters ensures contractors can look forward to efficient collaboration without needing outsourced design services. 

Our design team uses the most up-to-date design software and can develop approval drawings for your project. Approval drawings are necessary to ensure correct dimensions, specifications, and seamless installation. Fibergrate also provides drawings and/or structural calculations sealed by a registered professional engineer for any of the fifty states in the U.S. To contact our design team, click here.

 

These efficiencies make Fibergrate a great partner to help you service the current needs and opportunities for Data Center upgrades. The current market state consists of legacy sites that are 15-20 years old, with infrastructure upgrades needed every 12-15 years. Fibergrate's team is here to help.

 

Bisnow's National Data Center Investment Expo & Conference (DICE) provided valuable insights for our team that will help us serve you. Stay tuned for updates on how Fibergrate can help you navigate the ever-changing data center landscapes and remain competitive in the data center arena as a contractor.