Data Center construction is typically expensive and long lead time. Modularity and containers are discussed as ways to address these issues. IBM’s partnership with APC is one effort that tries to change the data center construction industry.

The official press release is here.

APC and IBM Announce Availability of the IBM Portable Modular Data Center Solution Based on APC’s Award-Winning InfraStruxure® Architecture

West Kingston, RI, January 11, 2010 — APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, today announced an expanded relationship withIBM to offer an IBM Portable Modular Data Center container version based on APC’s award-winning InfraStruxure^® architecture and IBM’s global services capabilities. IBM’s PMDC provides a fully functional data center in a shipping container with a complete physical infrastructure including power and cooling systems and remote monitoring. By integrating APC InfraStruxure products into the container it builds on the global alliance between APC and IBM announced in 2006 when APC was selected as a key data center physical infrastructure provider to IBM's Scalable Modular Data Center (SMDC) and later when APC solutions were chosen as the foundation for the IBM High Density Zone (HDZ) solution, which allows customers to deploy a high density environment rapidly within an existing data center.

With HP’s acquisition of EYP and EDS. IBM needs to work on end-to-end solutions in data centers.

The partnership enables clients to quickly design and build a data center in nearly any working environment using IBM Global Services’ capabilities and a standardized data center architecture, reducing up front capital and on-going operational costs.

One of the biggest obstacles to this approach will be entrenched IT and facilities organizations who are used to the status quo of data center construction and operation. But, if anyone has the ability to reach the ears of the CIO and CFO it is IBM.

I am currently evaluating whether I’ll attend IBM’s Pulse 2010 event in Las Vegas Feb 21- 24.