Data Centre Decommissioning

The Art and Science of a Successful Exit

Exiting your Data Centre can be a real challenge. Whether you are relocating to a new facility or migrating workloads to the Cloud, planning is key to successful execution.

However, moving your workloads and maintaining service continuity is only part of the equation. Once you have left the old facility it is easy to forget about it but there will still be work to do and this is where Secure ITAD can assist.

Old Assets must be removed, transported, professionally processed to erase data, and environmentally disposed of according to WEEE regulations.

Talk to us about Data Centre Decommissioning

A proven Guide to Data Centre exit

  • Expert Project Manager to work with your team
  • Site Survey as required
  • De-racking of equipment, removal of cabling and all old assets
  • All logistics and transport identified and arranged
  • Industry best practice to comply with regulations and standards
  • Equipment asset listed and Certificates of Destruction provided

Our 7-Step Data Center Shutdown Checklist

Secure-ITAD has vast experience helping Companies vacate their current premises and have developed our 7-Step process for successful shutdown. Read more about the 7-Step Approach here.

  1. Scope Definition
    • Define the project scope, including timelines, budget, and responsibilities.
    • Consider business impact and available resources.
  2. Asset Discovery and Inventory
    • Identify all assets within the data center.
    • Create an inventory to track equipment throughout the process.
  3. Decommissioning Planning
    • Develop a detailed plan covering processes, safety procedures, and disposition methods.
    • Address data security, environmental impact, and logistics.
  4. Data Eradication or Destruction:
    • Erase drives and remove with hardware.
    • If they are to be destroyed pull them and record the devices.
    • Engage Secure ITAD for secure data wiping or destruction
  1. Logistics and Materials Acquisition:
    • Arrange for logistics, including transportation and handling of equipment.
    • Acquire necessary materials for secure packing and transport.
  2. Pack and Move:
    • Safely pack equipment for transport.
    • Ensure proper handling to prevent damage.
  3. Equipment and Accounting Follow-Up:
    • Track equipment during transit.
    • Document the process for compliance and audit purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I have to do to close my Data Centre?

There is a lot to consider if you are going to shut down your Data Centre or other facility. The detailed article here will give you more information.

This will depend on several factors including the size of the Data Center, the amount of equipment that needs to be removed, cabling and racking requirements, alignment with any on-going live services that may still be running.

Our expert team will be able to provide an accurate timescale based on a quick survey.

At a minimum you will need a full asset list of everything that must be removed. This should include location, make, model, serial number, number of units, cabling requirements, racking. This will form the basis for several elements that should be considered. Secure ITAD can provide this asset inventory service.

All the old equipment will be de-cabled, de-racked and removed from the Data Centre. Any devices that are ‘Data Bearing’ will be properly erased or destroyed. The remaining equipment will be professionally and environmentally recycled.

What our clients are saying

“Secure ITAD always provide us with an efficent and professional service! We have been using their services for over 5 years now and will continue to doing so. We have even recommended them to a few of our clients“

Company Director, NCB Digital Morecambe

“Secure ITAD represent great value for money and deliver projects on time and within budget. I do not hesitate recommending them to all of our clients for shredding and disposal services”

Service Manager, London based Data Centre

“Since using Secure ITAD, we have had no issues whatsoever. They are very friendly and accommodating, either collecting outside of term time or after hours”

IT Technical Manager, School in South Essex