Data centers always require a significant investment, providing utility, storage, and flexibility in exchange for a high capital expenditure. Every decision made when building a new data center is important, including one of the first major choices a company faces: whether to build a new facility or rent space from a colocation provider.
New construction has several advantages — the facility is built to the company's specifications, has adequate space, and incorporates the power efficiencies required to reduce its carbon footprint. However, building a new facility is expensive, and it can take a considerable amount of time until it becomes operational.