Data Centers Unlocked

A practical guide to data center investing, operations, and risk assessment Data Centers Unlocked: A Insider's Guide to Understanding and Investing in Digital Infrastructure provides a thorough examination of data centers as an emerging and increasingly important investment category. Jim Footh delivers a structured resource that addresses the technical, financial, and operational dimensions of data center assets, equipping readers with the knowledge needed to evaluate opportunities and assess risks in this rapidly evolving sector. Data Centers Unlocked covers the fundamental infrastructure and technology that underpin modern data center operations, along with the financial models and valuation methods relevant to this specialized real estate segment. Readers gain insight into power and cooling systems, site selection criteria, tenant considerations, market demand drivers, and the specific risk factors that distinguish data centers from traditional commercial property investments. Readers will also find: Detailed analysis of data center infrastructure components and how they influence asset valuation and long-term investment returnsGuidance on evaluating power, cooling, and connectivity requirements that drive operational costs and tenant attractiveness for data center facilitiesCoverage of market demand drivers including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and enterprise digital transformation reshaping the sectorFrameworks for assessing investment risk factors unique to data centers, from technology obsolescence to regulatory and environmental considerationsInsight into site selection, lease structures, and tenant credit analysis that inform sound data center acquisition and development decisions Ideal for real estate investors, asset managers, financial analysts, and institutional allocators seeking to understand data centers as a distinct investment class, this book provides the technical and financial grounding necessary to evaluate opportunities and manage risk in one of the fastest-growing segments of commercial real estate.