Facilities that enable companies to lease space are typically known as managed collocation centers. The collocation data centers are often within a defined cage or dedicated rack or cabinet. The primary difference between collocation and outsourcing wholesale data centers is that wholesalers (tenants that will lease fully built data centers entirely) are larger than the collocation option. An individual collocation is fully developed with power, heating facilities, connectivity, and engineering services being available. It is also much smaller than the wholesale alternative.
Is It Problematic to Keep a Kit on the Site?
While there is no dispute against leaving a kit on the site (wholesale or individual), it can reduce the office space. The average collocation site uses computer power, demanding increased resilience in connectivity and capacity. The right type of data center setting can be quite complex and, therefore, a costly option. The building, managing, and maintaining an in-house data center can be an invaluable resource for organizations, particularly regarding information technology (IT) and CapEx. On a less critical note, colocation spaces can reduce the level of office space (as is mentioned) and increase noise levels.
Why Would I Want to Alter My Existing Facility and Use a Collocation Space?
For the majority of businesses, there comes the point when it is impossible to justify any investments to build external data spaces. To remove the effort and risk of building outside centers, it is possible to maintain in-house data centers. Typically, the consideration of outsourcing centers is triggered by a change in the organization, such as something being linked to the IT department or a negative review of the IT delivery approach. Some of the most common reasons companies use data centers include mergers, UPS battery replacement, acquisitions, office relocation, reallocation of costs, or placing pressure on the existing office space.
Do All Collocation Centres Provide The Same Service?
While the majority of colocation space providers appear to provide the same services, such as resilience, security, cooling or heating systems, and connectivity, there are some significant differences between them. Many users purport that what they claim you will receive when using a center and what you receive can be an enormous feature when choosing the data center.
What Features Should I Consider When Choosing a Colocation Space?
The Location
The first consideration to make is the ease of access regarding the data center. Can you access the area easily? Moreover, the examination of ease for intruders to access should be made. Ask yourself how difficult it would be for intruders to reach the space.
The Security Level
Security is vital in all areas, including colocation data centers. When looking at security features, the issue of access controls and operator diligence should be considered.
Level of Resilience
You must consider the level of resilience of the space regarding the company’s needs, as well as whether or not the controls are built in. The ideal data center design is one that has built-in controls, flexible processes and a sturdy structure.
The Services Available
When hiring a collocation data space, it is necessary to consider the services made available to you. For instance, whom would you speak with if you experience some problems? Certain providers operate similarly to property companies where revenue is based mostly on the leased space, the location of the center (some are dark and make out of hours in the winter a risk), and the increased costs of the area. However, some companies, such as Datum, provide full-service centers where customer satisfaction is essential for success.
The Power
The ideal data center is one where energy access is environmentally friendly, efficient, and available at a reduced cost.
The Connectivity
To ensure positive operations, it is essential that there are several options for cloud and connectivity access. By having various options available, you can receive a plethora of services with reasonable costs and increased resilience.
Site Visits and Accreditation
Never take a provider’s word regarding the operations of a data center. Before spending any money, it is recommended that you check official third-party accreditation, identify how they operate and determine the level of security and resilience.
Business Growth and Flexibility
Business growth and flexibility involves the information placed in fixed contracts. Always check whether the agreement allows access to specialist service providers, availability to direct connections, and external support if required.
