Why Green Mountain

Design

Designed to meet expectations

A successful data center project starts with a good design. Whether it is a dedicated 50m2 data room or a build-to-suit multi-MW building, our Design & Tech team is ready to help you. They are involved from the bidding process through to the finished result. Why? To ensure we meet the clients’ technical requirements as well as their time-to-market and budget expectations.

Cost, sustainability and time-to-market

Our Design and Tech team, led by our CTO, is responsible for this first part of the journey. They are involved as early as possible in the pre-sale process to ensure we understand the client’s needs and can suggest a suitable design. In our experience, clients want a cost-effective design delivered as quickly as possible without compromising sustainability.  That is also why we involve our Sustainability Director early in the process. He helps us consider the various elements that can impact sustainability, ensuring we make the most sustainable decisions. This includes everything from optimising energy efficiency, location, and work methods to the choice of building materials and equipment. As a result, we achieve a systematic, holistic approach to designing sustainable solutions.  

Recognized standards and well-proven designs

When we work on new designs we always base them on the current industry standards for data centers. We work in accordance with ASHRAE, Uptime Institute, EN 50600, and other standards, as well as clients’ specific requirements. We often start with a well-proven reference design that we have developed. Green Mountain has developed several concept designs that are both flexible and scalable. We then customize it to fit the client, understanding that “one size does not fit all”. Nevertheless, we also try to guide the client to find an optimal solution, both in terms of technology choices, site selection, tier standards, cooling optimization etc. Flexibility is the keyword. Based on experience, we know that if we invest sufficient resources in this design planning phase, the project’s next steps run much more smoothly.

Handover to the Build and Operation teams

When a data center design has been decided, a contract is signed and planning completed, it is time to hand over the project to the Project & Build team. However, technical managers from the Design team continue to support the project through construction and then commissioning. The commissioning phase is an important part of the job. In the end, the Design Team is responsible for delivering the technical solution in accordance with the requirements. Moreover, the design team is involved in the final handover to the client and the Operations team, ensuring they can manage daily operations efficiently.

Strong partners and suppliers

In addition to competent internal resources, a good project also depends on a reliable ecosystem of suppliers and partners. Over the years, we have developed strong relationships with suppliers who consistently deliver high-quality products. You can explore on our partner page.

Build

An experienced team for data center build

All data center building projects in Green Mountain are managed by the Project team. This team is led by our Chief Development Officer and consists of Construction-, Project-, and HSE managers. Construction managers spend most of their time on site, following the work closely and reporting back to project managers. Project managers, on the other hand, focus on project progress, orders, budget, and client dialogue. They are supported by technical managers from the Design team, who are responsible for the project’s technical delivery. Project managers coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, including client projects, on-site maintenance projects, and overall infrastructure projects.

Detailed planning is the key

For larger projects, the Project team is involved early in the process, even before any contract is signed. This is to ensure that any construction-related challenges are identified as early as possible. However, the official handover from the Design team to the Project team is when the client contract is signed.

The Design team has then specified an overall budget and project plan for the data center build. Based on this information, the Project team members establish a project organization, create progress plans, hire subcontractors and external consultants if needed, organize component deliveries, and negotiate prices with suppliers. In other words, they do all the detail planning. Ensuring all puzzle pieces fit within the budget and meet deadlines.

When the revised plans are approved, they present them to the client and together decide on a reporting and meeting schedule. A client’s involvement in the process varies depending on the project’s size and complexity, as well as the client’s preferences. Some clients have their own project organization and would like to be hands-on through the process. Other clients are satisfied with regular updates and reports during the project until handover.

Competent construction partners

To carry out the actual construction work, we use different subcontractors. Over the years, we have established strong relationships with them to ensure they meet our standards. Close cooperation with these subcontractors is a vital factor in our delivery success. Sometimes we also use turn-key contractors specifically for the buildings. However, site infrastructure is always managed by Green Mountain. In fact, securing sufficient power, preparing land and infrastructure at the sites are also included in the Project team’s responsibilities. These long-term processes involve negotiations with landowners, utility companies, municipalities, and others, and are an important prerequisite for construction to begin.  

Handover to Operations

When a project draws to an end, the Operations team at Green Mountain becomes more involved. They are involved in commissioning and connecting to existing infrastructure. The latter is especially important to avoid disruptions to clients’ existing operations. As this team will take over the daily operations when the project is completed, the commissioning phase is a vital phase in preparing for that. During the official handover to Operations after commissioning, they conduct a final inspection and review the as-built documents. So, when the project is delivered to the client, they can rest assured that the continued operations are in good hands.

Scandinavian management style and full transparency      

There are two unique features of Green Mountain’s project delivery that have contributed strongly to our success. Firstly, it is the Scandinavian work culture and management style. In Green Mountain, the chain of command is very short and relies heavily on trust. The organization is very flat, and decision-making authority is delegated. Both project- and construction managers are free to handle challenges as they see fit, without unnecessary reporting or bureaucracy. This makes them nimble, flexible, and able to make quick decisions. The result is an organization that solves problems, makes up for delays, and meets agreed deadlines.

The second feature is transparency. We always tell our clients the truth; we don’t hide problems or scapegoat anyone. In complex projects, unforeseen situations will always arise. We inform the client immediately and discuss options together. The client also has extensive expertise, and together we find the best solution. This approach also builds trust between the client and us and increases the chance of a successful delivery.   

Operations

A reliable team for data center operations

Operation delivers sustainable and efficient data center services with 100% availability. We operate secure, concurrent, maintainable facilities with fault-tolerant electrical and mechanical infrastructure. Furthermore, these services receive high client satisfaction scores in our annual survey.

At the core of Operations are the Green Mountain people. This team of data center infrastructure engineers and technicians delivers operational excellence with the highest relevant competence and enthusiasm. Our HSE is based on a zero mindset -> zero injuries. Their number one priority is to deliver 100% availability. They monitor equipment and processes, including power and cooling. They perform maintenance work and regular inspections. In addition, they serve as our clients’ extended team. We know our clients need a partner they can trust to deliver accurate, timely work on their behalf. In addition to the mandatory services already included for all our clients, we can offer a range of optional data center services.

The service management team

All clients in Green Mountain are supported by the Service Management Team. Clients have a dedicated contact person who is responsible for the client relationship and communication flow. This contact person has the overall picture and can assist with any type of request. Moreover, they are also responsible for the regular reporting and status meetings with the client. This approach fosters a trusted relationship, and we consistently receive high client satisfaction scores on these services in our annual survey.

Data center operations services

Green Mountain delivers remote hands services 24/7/365. The team can perform a wide range of activities, including basic IMACD services, logistics, support, and troubleshooting. In addition, our Design team can offer more advanced services, such as design and project management.

Here are examples of data center operations services we can provide:

IMACD data center services

IMACD stands for: Installation, Move, Add, Change, and Disposal. For example, this can include:  

• Unpacking devices
• Installation and connecting servers
• Removal of packing equipment
• Documentation
• Packing of the device
• Coordinating transportation
• Changing the hardware configuration of an existing configuration
• Removal of hardware
• Disconnecting device cables
• Delivery to the collection point

Logistics services

We can also perform tasks relating to logistics:

• Goods delivery handling
• Goods delivery transportation
• Waste handling

Smart-hands services

Furthermore, smart-hands services are available 24/7/365.

• Cabling and patching
• Clinical Cleaning inside the data room
• Trobleshooting
• Check hardware status
• Replace hardware
• Cabling
• Restart of equipment

Our services can be ordered through our Customer Portal as needed, or included in the client’s contract.