Data centers have become the nexus of modern technological growth due to how much AI relies on them to function. As a result, these facilities have to be built, expanded, and maintained through the use of the most effective technology, construction methods, and transportation avenues available. For this reason, perhaps it's no great surprise that modular data centers are growing in popularity.
Modular data centers are data centers that are built quickly and effectively through the use of pre-constructed components. As a result, they're much easier to get off the ground, bypassing many of the logistical supply chain constraints that can delay traditional data centers.
In this post, we’ll provide a complete rundown of modular data center construction to make it more apparent when a business owner should consider this strategy of data center deployment.
Modular data centers are prefabricated data centers, which means they are manufactured in sections that allow for easier assemblage on-site. There are several different components to modular data centers, and they come in different categories. Recognizing the differences between them makes it easier for a business owner to identify which type of modular data center construction will fit their needs.
Thanks to being prefabricated, modular data centers are typically arranged in structures that come with built-in components, such as already having power, network, and cooling equipment.
Containerized data centers are a subset of modular data centers that are noteworthy for being portable on-demand. The containers for these data centers can vary, ranging from trailers to shipping boxes and more. Once transported and delivered, these containerized data centers are fully functioning.
Mobile data centers are similar to containerized data centers. These structures also emphasize mobility and quick deployment. The primary difference to watch out for is for variations in size and capabilities for mobile data centers compared to containerized data centers.
The modular data center industry is set to explode in growth, forecasted to grow from $29.93 billion in 2024 to $79.49 billion in 2030. At the forefront of this growth are leading modular data center companies such as Schneider Electric, Vertiv, Dell, Huawei, and IO.
Modular data centers are not only quickly set up but also easily transported. This allows them to simplify many of the logistical concerns that come with the manual construction and expansion of data centers, including having to coordinate different types of equipment with multiple shippers. The fact that these are prefabricated data centers also helps control costs and quality, minimizing potential hassles and incompatibilities for business owners.
Additionally, modular data centers allow companies to add additional modules as needed, which contributes to greater scalability and flexibility.
Even though modular data centers have numerous strengths over standard data centers, managing modular delivery logistics can be more demanding, not less so.
Transportation of modular data centers has to take into account how large and unwieldy these prefabricated units can be. Additionally, considerations have to be made for concerns including energy usage and zoning.
On-site preparations will need to be made in order to ensure streamlined deliveries of optimal data center solutions. This can include the need to create foundations, ensuring access to sites for delivery, and maintaining security and environmental standards.
For multi-module deployments, deliveries will need to be coordinated with installation to prevent any delays or fees.
Lastly, delivery of modules will involve coordinating with different module vendors and contractors throughout the process to ensure competitive pricing, service, and delivery.
While there are numerous benefits to modular data centers, they, like any tool, have their pros and cons. Business owners should understand where the strengths and weaknesses of modular data centers lie to best recognize when to deploy them over traditional data centers. Hopefully, the below frequently asked questions will help in this regard.
While timing may vary, modular data centers can take around 3 to 4 months to deploy.
Modular data centers cost between $750,000 and $1,000,000 per module compared to traditional data centers costing between $7 million and $12 million for an entire facility.
As data center demand surges alongside AI's explosive growth, facilities and operations teams are under increasing pressure to manage high volumes of deliveries across multiple sites. Unmanaged dock operations can lead to detention charges, site congestion, and construction delays that push back revenue-generating capacity.
Dock scheduling software like Opendock helps data center operators standardize and scale their dock operations, reducing manual coordination, improving carrier accountability, and giving teams real-time visibility across locations. Learn more about Opendock today!