Five Essential Stages of Data Center Decommissioning

Data center decommissioning is a complex process that needs proper planning and efficient execution. The structural characteristic of this approach greatly contributes to the success of retiring old IT assets, securing data, and minimizing electronic waste. Whether your goal is to relocate or close down, it’s essential to follow a thorough decommissioning process to ensure smooth sailing on the project. But how does it really work? What are the stages of this approach? In this article, we simplified the data center commissioning process into five essential stages.

Five Phases of Data Center Decommissioning

1. 1. Prepare Data Backup and Power Down Facility: The first step is to verify that all data has been backed up, after halting all flow of data to the servers. Also, ensure that the operation of storage devices and equipment is terminated. Conducting an asset inventory or managing a checklist is also advisable to be able to efficiently sort out what to keep and what to dispose of. Keeping a checklist will improve the efficiency of the process as well as provide an audit trail down the road.

2. 2. Handling the Assets: This is the phase where recycling, refurbishing, data destruction, and appraising of your old IT assets are conducted. Make sure these processes are strictly in compliance with the regulatory standards for your data and the company’s security. Your data should be securely sanitized, especially for those electronics that will be reused or resold later. For electronic device management, the EPA has issued a public law that regulates the standards and regulations in waste management. Some electronics contain hazardous substances like lead and mercury so make sure to manage this process in accordance with the law. At e-Waste, we consistently renew our certifications that ensure our recycling and management process is compliant across all industries.

3. 3. Reselling/Recycling Assets: After proper refurbishing and secure data wiping is completed, this is where reselling your old assets can be done. Finding and contacting trusted buyers to whom you can sell your refurbished and used equipment can be problematic and time consuming. Preparing a list of items, setting prices and receiving and comparing quotes from buyers and  to ensure you are maximizing your potential return are all necessary steps.  However, they are all complicated and time consuming and your team may not have the manpower or industry knowledge to succesfully execute these tasks at a high level during a large project. At e-Waste we take care of all of the steps in this process for you. Leaving your team free to execute other mission critical tasks.

4. 4. Electronic Auditing: After successfully selling your electronic assets, prepare a report of the sale and ROI. The reports should be sent to the financial department for auditing, both internal and external. Another phase of the audit should include a full review of the checklist we mentioned above. Ensure all steps were followed and nothing was missed during the decommissioning process. At e-Waste, we keep detailed records of all audits to ensure that our companies are fully aware of all necessary financial information.

5. 5. Closing Down or Relocation Phase: The final phase of the decommissioning cycle is the closing down or the relocation phase. In case of relocation, packing is arranged before the transfer of assets. All essential data that was retained should be securely stored and ready for transfer. After one final walkthrough of the data center, with nothing remaining found, mark the project as completed. Wrap up and inform all the contact persons involved in the project.

Decommissioning a data center is a lot of work that requires strict management of each phase. Fortunately, there are data center decommissioning professionals like, e-Waste, that can seamlessly do the complex work for you.