Expert Insights and Perspectives

Stay Current and Get Ahead! An AFCOM membership grants you access to a continuously expanding Learning Center full of data center and IT infrastructure literature as well as the latest technology trends, industry standards, and best practices. With the keyword search below or using the navigation in the right rail, you can easily find the article or articles most relevant to your specific need. Articles in the Learning Center were written by subject matter experts with deep experience and time-tested knowledge about data center and IT infrastructure practices, concepts, policies and processes. Many of these articles originally appeared in the "Inside the Box" newsletter, in previous issues of Data Center Management magazine or written exclusively for the Learning Center.

The articles are categorized using the following main topics including:
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  • Design & Build
  • Power, Cooling & Efficiency
  • As a Service
  • IT
  • Practical leadership
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Differences Between Short- and Long-term Storage

Posted on 5/14/2019
By defining a data retention policy for an organization, storage costs can be slashed, as less important data can be moved to a less expensive tier of storage.

What are Your Operating Expenses and Maintenance Costs?

Posted on 4/23/2019
Carrie Goetz, DCI Board member among other accolades, addresses how to determine operating expenses and maintenance costs.

Talent Migration Resonates with AFCOM Members

Posted on 4/23/2019
Carrie Goetz, DCI Board member among other accolades, doesn't believe that for a second. She does, however, think that the 'I' in CIO should probably stand for something other than 'Information.'

​PDU Efficiency Matters!

Posted on 4/23/2019
While PUE is the most widely used measurement of energy efficiency, it's best to take advantage of multiple metrics developed over the years.

Making the Complex Simple: New Demands for Edge Environments

Posted on 4/23/2019
The key for organizations becomes not simply adopting edge solutions, but identifying the ones that reduce complexities and headaches.

Does 'CIO' Stand for 'Career Is Over?'

Posted on 4/23/2019
Carrie Goetz, DCI Board member among other accolades, doesn't believe that for a second. She does, however, think that the 'I' in CIO should probably stand for something other than 'Information.'

Eight Key Steps to Create a Successful Disaster Recovery Plan

Posted on 4/23/2019
Despite the steep cost of unplanned downtime, many companies don’t have a plan other than reacting once it happens.

Five Simple Safety Best Practices for Data Centers

Posted on 4/15/2019
Safety considerations and potential hazards in today’s data centers are far reaching. However, there are simple safety best practices that you could employ to mitigate and/or control hazards while also strengthening your safety culture.

Combating Stranded Power in the Data Center

Posted on 4/15/2019
Knowing what causes stranded power in the data center and taking measures to prevent it can save money and power.

The Great Talent Migration

Posted on 4/8/2019
In the 'great talent suck,' talent is being attracted to the cities where the hyperscalers, colo-providers and cloud operators are congregated.