GM to Invest $130 Million in New Data Center

GM-datacenter

An illustration of the design for a new General Motors data center in Warren, Michigan.

Automaker General Motors will invest $130 million to build an enterprise data center at its Technical Center campus in Warren, Mich., that will allow it to reduce operating costs by consolidating its IT infrastructure into a more efficient facility. GM estimates that the energy efficiency improvements at the new data center will reduce its operating costs by as much as 40 percent.

GM said it will renovate and expand a former administrative building on its Warren campus. Design is under way on the renovation and construction, with the final phase scheduled for completion in 2015. The project is expected to create 25 high-tech jobs. GM expects the facility will qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Facility Will Use "Modular" Design

The new enterprise data center will use a "modular design" to allow for future expansion, according to GM, which didn't offer additional details. Modular designs often use factory-built structures, but the term is increasingly being used to describe phased build-outs using pods of raised-floor space. The facility will contain IT laboratories to run computer simulations for vehicle deigns, and serve as a hub for monitoring GM’s digital applications globally.

"This new facility and other GM data centers around the world support the tools the company needs to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles through digital applications enabling all business functions,” said Terry Kline, GM vice president and chief information officer. “This investment is possible because of the cooperation between GM, the Warren community and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority. We think the result is a win for everybody involved."

The company is announcing the new facility in a press conference this morning in Warren. We'll provide additional details as they are available.