Deploying a data center at a quarter of the cost: the HP EcoPOD

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Greetings from the event floor of HP Discover in Las Vegas where we just announced the HP POD 240a, aka “HP EcoPOD”.  Offering a high-performance, energy-efficient alternative to traditional data centers at a fraction of the cost the HP POD 240a delivers the ultimate in modular data center efficiency. For more on why this announcement is critical to your IT planning—read on!

Let me start by taking you back to how the idea for the EcoPOD was born . A little more than a year ago,   we started  hearing from customers  that they understood the benefits of PODs and modular data centers but wanted a natural , viable alternative to more markets, more industries, and more operational environments.  Here’s what they said, I’ll paraphrase:

“Glenn– This could be something big.  Bigger than you can imagine! It may  not only decrease cost, increase agility, and save energy, but you could make something that is so futuristic it integrates  IT and facilities planning,  purchasing, – deployment, and – management –     But to do that you need to do more – you have to move the value proposition of PODs from compelling to breakthrough.”  Sure, sounded simple, right?  Well not simple, but doable.

So, we assembled a team and  put our top brains on this problem – involved a few early-adopter customers, HP Labs, HP  Critical Facilities Services  and  HP IT.  We realized that if we could deliver all that was being asked – we’d be able to accelerate the move to modular data centers,, save customers money, be more responsible to our environment and create a more agile  Instant On enterprise if you will.  

All this brain power came up with the “HP EcoPOD“,  the world’s most efficient data center.  Designed to deliver breakthrough savings and accelerate the move to modular data centers.   And it answers all of the challenges I just described and even a bit more.

We’ve taken a no compromise approach to serviceability while increasing density and capacity. Additionally, the EcoPOD has other groundbreaking features, such as

HP Adaptive Cooling Technology that intelligently adjusts cooling based on policy, IT load and climate.

We’ve expanded the POD Environmental Control System to make it even more comprehensive from a management standpoint .

1. It can be completely configured, deployed, and commissioned in weeks as opposed to years – 88 percent faster.
2. From a cost perspective, it  can be deployed for a quarter of the cost – 75 percent less.
3. And from an energy standpoint , it is near perfect with a PUE as low as 1.05. It delivers as much as 95 percent savings in facilities energy costs.

Compared to a traditional datacenter, it packs the equivalent of a 10,000 square foot data center into a compact, serviceable, package in one-tenth the space of a traditional facility.   

No one has a crystal ball, and even CIOs have trouble predicting acquisitions, business requirements, technology needs, capacity demands, and economic environments years in advance.  By taking a  modular pay-as-you- grow approach, CIOs can confidently plan their facilities requirements knowing that they won’t face challenges such as not enough capacity, or too much capacity, as enterprise needs change.

We believe the EcoPOD will accelerate the adoption of modular data centers to more industries, customers and operational models.   

The real masterminds behind the HP EcoPOD, Ron Mann, Director of Engineering and Jon Mormile , lead HP POD product manager,  will be adding  in -depth commentary over the next few days.  So stay tuned .  In the meantime, let us know what you think.  It’s time to Rethink the Data Center.

For more information, take a look at www.hp.com/go/pod.

Glenn Keels

Director, HP ISS SP and HPC