A practical guide to understanding data centers, their operations, economics and risks Data Centers Unlocked: An Insider’s Guide to Understanding and Investing in Digital Infrastructure provides a thorough examination of data centers as a critical and increasingly important part of the digital economy. Drawing on eight years at AWS leading global data center development and his current role at the global investment management firm PGIM, Jim Footh brings a practitioner’s perspective to the technical, financial, and operational dimensions of data centers, equipping readers with the knowledge needed to understand how the industry works, 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 returns Guidance on evaluating power, cooling, and connectivity requirements that drive operational costs and tenant attractiveness for data center facilities Coverage of market demand drivers including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and enterprise digital transformation reshaping the sector Frameworks for assessing investment risk factors unique to data centers, from technology obsolescence to regulatory and environmental considerations Insight into site selection, lease structures, and tenant credit analysis that inform sound data center acquisition and development decisions Insight into the factors that determine how data centers affect residential electricity rates Ideal for anyone seeking to better understand the infrastructure behind AI, cloud computing, and the digital economy this book provides a clear, practitioner-driven introduction to one of the fastest-growing and least understood sectors of modern infrastructure. Investors, asset managers, financial analysts, industry professionals, and career seekers will also find the technical and financial grounding needed to understand opportunities, risks, and long-term trends in the data center sector.
