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Construction Challenges in Data Center Projects

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When organizations without a dedicated background in real estate development or construction management undertake data center construction, they often struggle with multiple challenges—Made worse by the absence of appropriate digital tools and common data platforms.

 

1. Constant Changes & Scope Creep

 

  • Requirements evolve rapidly: hardware specs, cooling tech, security measures, regulatory compliance.
  • Frequent design revisions, zoning changes, or shifting standards (e.g. Uptime Institute tiers, energy codes) result in schedule disruption and budget risk  .

 

2. Procurement Complexities

 

  • Projects rely on long‑lead equipment (generators, power systems, fiber) with global supply chain constraints and volatile pricing.
  • Owners struggle with site-driven modular procurement, managing vendor pools and aligning purchases with project WBS and budgets  .

 

3. Permitting & Regulatory Bureaucracy

 

  • Securing local planning permissions, zoning approvals, and environmental compliance can be slow—especially for non‑developer owners unfamiliar with local jurisdictions.
  • Inconsistent processes across municipalities and shifting regulations add further friction  .

 

4. Strict Timelines & Cost Targets

 

  • Delays can cost millions (lost service revenue, contract penalties).
  • Contractors are bound by fixed-price contracts and strict schedule SLAs—without buffer for error or late deliveries  .

 

5. Complex Multi-Discipline Coordination

 

  • Data centers integrate electrical, mechanical (cooling, fire suppression), structural, and IT infrastructure.
  • Each trade must align precisely with BIM models, safety standards, and client expectations. Miscoordination causes delays and rework  .

 

 

🧩 ProjectVIEW ERP: A Holistic Solution for Every Stakeholder

 

ProjectVIEW ERP (by DANAOS) is a construction ERP built for project-based industries—including complex data center builds. It addresses the key challenges head-on.

 

How It Helps Owners (especially tech‑based clients)

 

  • Common Data Environment (CDE): Centralized platform where project data—designs, BoQs, change orders, RFIs—is versioned, permissioned, and accessible, improving transparency and reducing confusion  .
  • Integrated Budget & Cost Tracking: Real-time comparison of budget vs. actuals tied to WBS/BoQ baseline imported from scheduling tools such as Primavera P6—a digital backbone for financial clarity  .

 

How Consultants & Designers Benefit

 

  • Change Management Engine: Seamless integration of schedule changes (e.g. from tech spec revisions), linked to cost updates and procurement workflows. This enables rapid traceability and decision-making.
  • Role-Based Collaboration: Consultants can collaborate on documents, designs, QA records, and schedule data in a controlled environment—reducing siloed communication  .

 

How Procurement & Materials Teams Gain Control

 

  • Project-Based Procurement Engine: Purchases begin from BoQ aligned with WBS baseline. Site‑Item Requests (SIRs) validate materials/services use, limited by remaining budget, and tracked live in the system  .
  • Inventory Visibility: Stock levels, transfers, and site usage all monitored in real-time and mapped to specific cost codes—eliminating overstock or misordering  .

 

How Contractors and Project Managers Stay on Track

 

  • Earned Value Analysis (EVA): Automatically calculate performance metrics like Cost Performance Index (CPI) or Schedule VAR based on real‑time data feeds—no manual spreadsheets for more accurate forecasting  .
  • Document & QA Control: Integrated vault ensures designs, subcontractor documents, commissioning records, and inspections are tracked alongside progress updates—delivering audit-readiness and reducing rework risks .

 

Why ProjectVIEW ERP is Ideal for Data Center Projects

 

  • Designed for project-driven sectors like construction, shipbuilding, and energy—built with tight ERP‑PM integration via Primavera and BIM systems  .
  • Proven at DANAOS implementations, achieving seamless data flow between tendering, operations, procurement, finance, HR, and site execution—all without needing separate platforms.
  • Scalable and modular, enabling phased deployment starting with procurement or cost control modules and expanding over time  .

 

 

For technology-led owners stepping into data center construction, navigating changes, procurement bottlenecks, permitting bureaucracy, and tight deadlines can be a perfect storm. ProjectVIEW ERP brings an industry-proven, single-source-of-truth solution that turns complexity into controlled delivery. It enables all parties—from owners and consultants to procurement and contractors—to work with confidence, precision, and transparency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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