Tools · 01 / TCO
Powered shell vs.
full colocation.
A directional model — not a quote. Tweak the inputs, watch the cumulative cost diverge, and grab the PDF when you want to argue with the numbers offline. Calibrate against actual provider quotes before any procurement decision.
TCO calculator · Indicative
Powered shell vs. full colocation
A directional model. Total cost over your chosen term, plus NPV at your discount rate, plus a sensitivity grid against ±20% capex and ±20% power cost. Calibrate against actual provider quotes before any procurement decision.
Inputs
Log scale · 5 kW – 5,000 kW
Shell scenario only
Full colocation
€2.1M
total over 5 yr
- Monthly
- €34,356
- NPV
- €1.6M
Powered shell
€3.3M
total over 5 yr
- Capex
- €1.4M
- Opex / mo
- €31,896
- NPV
- €2.9M
Breakeven
Powered shell does not break even within 10 years at this configuration. Full colocation is the right answer.
Sensitivity · powered shell − full colo (term total)
| Capex shift | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power cost | -20% | -10% | 0 | +10% | +20% |
| -20% | +€972k | +€1.1M | +€1.3M | +€1.4M | +€1.5M |
| -10% | +€972k | +€1.1M | +€1.3M | +€1.4M | +€1.5M |
| 0 | +€972k | +€1.1M | +€1.3M | +€1.4M | +€1.5M |
| +10% | +€972k | +€1.1M | +€1.3M | +€1.4M | +€1.5M |
| +20% | +€972k | +€1.1M | +€1.3M | +€1.4M | +€1.5M |
Negative (green) = powered shell wins. Positive = full colocation wins. Center cell is the base case.
What this assumes
We calculated a 100 kW IT load over 5 years at tier iii (99.982%) in Amsterdam, with a PUE of 1.40, power at €0.18 per kWh, and a 8% discount rate for the NPV. The shell scenario adds 8 remote-hands hours per month and €8,000 per month of in-house ops. Full colocation is priced at the Amsterdam reference rate for the tier; shell capex uses the tier midpoint from our rate table. These assumptions move the answer more than the arithmetic does — change them before you trust the outcome.
Take it with you
Email me this analysis as a PDF
Includes every input, the full year-by-year breakdown, and the sensitivity grid. Ends with the assumption set we used so your CFO can argue with it.
We do not subscribe you to anything. The email contains the PDF and a short acknowledgement — that is all.
These numbers are indicative — not a quote. A formal feasibility analysis with calibrated rates costs €75–€125 per hour. Submit an anonymized RFQ to test the envelope against actual provider pricing.