Cost Analysis
Data Center Cost Breakdown & ROI Analysis
Complete guide to data center costs - CAPEX, OPEX, ROI calculations, budgeting templates, financial planning, and investment analysis for Indian data centers.
Complete Cost Analysis Framework
Data Center Cost Calculator
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Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)
| Component | Small DC (10 racks) | Medium DC (50 racks) | Large DC (200 racks) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | ₹50-100 lakhs | ₹2-5 crores | ₹10-50+ crores | Dell, HPE, Cisco brands |
| Storage Systems | ₹20-50 lakhs | ₹1-3 crores | ₹5-20 crores | SAN, NAS, object storage |
| Networking | ₹10-30 lakhs | ₹50 lakhs-2 crores | ₹2-10 crores | Switches, routers, firewalls |
| Power Infrastructure | ₹20-50 lakhs | ₹1-3 crores | ₹5-15 crores | UPS, generators, PDUs |
| Cooling Systems | ₹15-40 lakhs | ₹80 lakhs-2.5 crores | ₹4-12 crores | CRAC units, chillers |
| Racks & Infrastructure | ₹5-15 lakhs | ₹30-80 lakhs | ₹1-3 crores | Cabinets, cabling, management |
| Security Systems | ₹10-20 lakhs | ₹50 lakhs-1 crore | ₹1-3 crores | Access control, CCTV, fire |
| Total CAPEX | ₹1.3-3.05 crores | ₹6.1-17.3 crores | ₹28-113+ crores | Excluding building/land |
Operational Expenditure (OPEX)
| Expense Type | Small DC Monthly | Medium DC Monthly | Large DC Monthly | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | ₹5-7 lakhs | ₹25-35 lakhs | ₹1-1.4 crores | 40-50% |
| Internet Bandwidth | ₹1-3 lakhs | ₹5-15 lakhs | ₹20-50 lakhs | 10-15% |
| Staff Salaries | ₹2-4 lakhs | ₹8-15 lakhs | ₹30-60 lakhs | 15-20% |
| Software Licensing | ₹1-2 lakhs | ₹5-10 lakhs | ₹20-40 lakhs | 5-10% |
| Maintenance Contracts | ₹50k-1 lakh | ₹2-5 lakhs | ₹10-25 lakhs | 3-5% |
| Security Services | ₹1-2 lakhs | ₹3-6 lakhs | ₹10-20 lakhs | 3-5% |
| Total Monthly OPEX | ₹10.5-19 lakhs | ₹48-86 lakhs | ₹1.9-3.35 crores | 100% |
| Annual OPEX | ₹1.26-2.28 crores | ₹5.76-10.32 crores | ₹22.8-40.2 crores | - |
ROI & Financial Analysis
Revenue Streams
- Colocation space rental
- Managed services
- Cloud services
- Network connectivity
- Professional services
ROI Calculation Example
- Medium DC (50 racks)
- Total CAPEX: ₹10 crores
- Monthly OPEX: ₹50 lakhs
- Monthly Revenue: ₹80 lakhs - ₹1.2 crores
- Payback Period: 18-36 months
- Annual ROI: 25-50%
Financial Planning Tips
- Phase implementation to spread costs
- Consider OPEX vs CAPEX models
- Plan for 20% contingency
- Include hardware refresh cycles
- Factor in inflation (5-7% annually)
Funding Options in India
| Funding Source | Interest Rate | Tenure | Collateral | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Term Loan | 9-12% p.a. | 5-7 years | Fixed assets | Established businesses |
| MSME Loan | 8-11% p.a. | 3-5 years | Minimal | Small data centers |
| Venture Capital | Equity dilution | 5-7 years | None | High-growth startups |
| Government Schemes | Subsidized (6-8%) | 5-10 years | Project assets | Tier 2/3 cities |