Introduction
When a global enterprise needed to rapidly scale its IT infrastructure in Europe and Asia, they turned to vLava Data to deliver fully configured server racks that could go live within hours of arrival.
The catch? These racks had to be shipped from Chicago to data centers in Germany, Ireland, Tokyo, and Shanghai and be ready for production with zero configuration required on-site.
In just 60 days, our team executed a global deployment that delivered:
- 4 international shipments
- 16 production-ready server racks
- Pre-cabled, cooled, labeled, and secured infrastructure
- Seamless customs clearance and importation
Why Preconfigured Server Racks Save Time and Money
Traditional server deployments rely on stacking, powering, and configuring systems onsite. This requires engineers, staging areas, delayed timelines, and increased risk.
Our approach delivered:
- Ready-to-rack servers: All compute and networking components mounted
- Preconfigured OS and firmware: Minimal customer-side work
- Color-coded cabling: For fast visual verification and serviceability
- Built-in cooling fans: To support temporary staging environments
- Custom crate shock systems: To detect and prevent damage in transit
Result: All racks arrived intact and operational—with no onsite build teams required.
How We Did It
1. Precision Configuration in Chicago
Each rack was:
- Fully stacked with compute and storage nodes
- Wired with structured, color-coded copper and fiber
- Labeled per client zone, project, and data center standard
- Powered and burn-in tested in our facility before shipment
2. Built-In Cooling and Monitoring
To ensure readiness in transit:
- Each rack included hot-swappable fan trays
- Thermal sensors monitored heat levels inside transit crates
- Shock and tilt sensors recorded any mishandling via QR-tag reporting
3. Global Logistics & Customs Management
Shipping into Germany, Ireland, Japan, and China requires precise documentation. We:
- Created commercial invoices per region’s tariff classification (HS code compliance)
- Filed AES export documentation for U.S. Customs
- Worked with local brokers to pre-clear imports
- Covered VAT and import duty upfront through DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
Net result: The customer experienced a white-glove import process with no paperwork burden.
4. Professional Services at Each Destination
Upon delivery, our global field services team:
- Met each shipment at the data center
- Unboxed, rolled into hot/cold aisle, plugged into existing power
- Validated boot and application stack
- Handed over to customer teams within hours
The 60-Day Timeline
| Phase | Timeline |
| Design & BOM Finalization | Week 1 |
| Rack Assembly & Burn-in | Weeks 2–4 |
| Export Packaging & Docs | Week 5 |
| Global Air Freight | Weeks 6–7 |
| Arrival & Onsite Handoff | Weeks 8–9 |
Why This Matters
For enterprises scaling across continents, the cost of slow deployments, on-site builds, and customs delays can be enormous.
By working with vLava, this client:
- Eliminated 90+ hours of local engineering time per site
- Deployed in 1/3 the time of a traditional rollout
- Avoided equipment damage through shock-rated packaging
- Got infrastructure live and production-ready in under 60 days
Let Us Do the Heavy Lifting
Whether you’re expanding to a new market or standardizing infrastructure across the globe, vLava Data is your trusted partner in shipping, configuring, and delivering mission-critical systems—ready to power on.
Need to ship global infrastructure without the global headache?
📩 Email: global@vlavadata.com
🌐 www.vlavadata.com/blog