Internap Gets a Boost for Boston-Area Data Center Project Leveraging the Power of Rubicon Professional Services

HERNDON, VA--(Marketwire - Aug 16, 2011) - Rubicon Professional Services, a leading national provider of full-service energy management, consulting, engineering, and construction management for mission-critical facilities, today announced the successful completion of Atlanta-based Internap Network Services Corporation's Boston data center expansion earlier this year. Providing a range of intelligent IT Infrastructure solutions, including colocation, managed hosting, cloud, CDN and enterprise IP connectivity, Internap helps customers focus on their core business, while improving service levels and lowering the cost of IT operations.

Internap leveraged Rubicon's Design and Build Construction Services to rapidly construct an approximately 7,000 net sellable square-foot expansion of its existing Boston data center. Rubicon provided Internap with innovative solutions for fast track critical facility design and construction. Unlike typical general contractors, Rubicon's engineers and construction professionals deliver unique alternatives for building or upgrading critical facilities -- from design/build and construction management to energy services and equipment integration.

Before undertaking the project, Internap knew it faced an extremely short timeframe. "Internap is focused on building a geographically diversified platform of premium data centers to serve our customers' high-performance IT Infrastructure needs," said Randy Ortiz, director, data center design and engineering, Internap. "To meet the strong demand for our services in Boston, we were eager to complete the expansion in an aggressive six-month timeline. Rubicon was up for the challenge and was able to meet our high expectations."

Having worked with Rubicon on its original Boston data center build, as well as its Seattle, Washington and Santa Clara, California sites, Internap turned to the company again for this important expansion. "Rubicon is a company that clearly understands what it takes to build a high-powered, energy-efficient data center, so it made sense that we continued our work with them when undertaking this important expansion," said Ortiz.

To ensure rapid, yet efficient and cost-effective design and construction, Internap again put its trust in Rubicon -- signing on for full design and construction management services. This type of engagement enabled Rubicon to coordinate all facets of the project, including design and engineering; working with local building officials to streamline the permitting and approval process; procurement of long-lead critical infrastructure equipment; and fast track construction of the facility.

"The traditional method of waiting for full design to be completed and then bidding to several construction managers would not have allowed Internap to achieve its aggressive timeline for occupancy for this site," states Eric Holzworth, Rubicon's Chief Operating Officer. "The expectations for this project required that several parallel paths -- design, equipment procurement, and construction -- be run at once to ensure success."

But the stakes were clearly raised for the new data center. In addition to the time constraint of less than six months from start of design to full occupancy, the project was complicated by expectations for higher density in Internap's facilities, enabling companies to power at greater levels in their particular cabinet. Since the new design called for power density levels of up to 12 kW per rack, a new approach to cooling was required.

New cooling efficiency is a key capability Rubicon offered to Internap, in addition to a wide range of services designed to help save energy and reduce costs on mission critical projects. The service goes well beyond standard energy efficiency audits and kW reduction strategies by integrating environmental, technical, legal, financial, and administrative functions into a comprehensive energy strategy. Rubicon helps companies like Internap save millions of dollars through energy revenues and rebates, while strengthening their available IT infrastructures and sustainability efforts.

In addition, Rubicon and Internap completed Phase Three of Internap's Boston data center expansion. The space will be used as a showroom, allowing potential and current customers to visit it prior to the installation of equipment, and helping to retain existing customers in need of expanding their footprint by remaining at the same site.

"The Internap project was a scheduling and coordination challenge. The Rubicon team joined forces with Internap's strong and talented design and construction team to meet the completion date and make additional space available to customers," concludes Holzworth. "We showed once again that with an experienced team and the right project plan, seemingly difficult project goals can be reached efficiently and cost-effectively.

About Rubicon Professional Services
Since 2006, Rubicon Professional Services has expertly managed the entire process of building critical facilities like data and communications centers. From strategy development to assembling custom teams of top-rated engineers, contractors and equipment vendors, Rubicon is a trusted advisor and business partner to technology-dependent organizations ensuring cost-effective delivery of critical facilities that meet business objectives. Rubicon Professional Services operates nationwide from offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, and California. For more information about Rubicon Professional Services, please visit www.rubiconps.com.