Choosing the right colocation provider is a critical decision for any business. After all, your IT infrastructure is fundamental to your operations, and you need a partner you can rely on to meet your needs both now and in the future. While price gets a lot of attention, we all know it’s not the only factor to consider. Value for money is important, but it’s the range of services, suitability for your business size, and round-the-clock technical support that often make the real difference.
What to look out for when choosing a colocation provider
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Looking beyond cost
Essential technical criteria
When evaluating potential colocation providers, the focus naturally begins with their technical offerings:
- Resilience: does the facility meet stringent uptime requirements? Check for redundancy levels to ensure your operations remain uninterrupted.
- Security: physical security measures like 24/7 surveillance and biometric access controls.
- Connectivity: look for carrier-neutral connectivity and fast network speeds to support seamless operations.
- State-of-the-art facilities: cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure that align with your IT needs.
- Environmental impact: sustainability matters. Energy-efficient operations and low carbon footprints should be a priority for any responsible colocation provider.
The top five traits of a good colocation partner
While these technical considerations are the bedrock of any decision, choosing a provider goes beyond the technical specs. The ‘softer’ service elements can hugely impact your experience and satisfaction.
1. Collaborative approach
Your business is unique, and your colocation provider should recognise that. A good partner will take the time to assess your specific requirements and recommend tailored solutions that deliver the most value. Be cautious of inflexible, one-size-fits-all models. Whether it’s part of a hybrid strategy or a broader disaster recovery plan, the right provider will design a solution that aligns with both your immediate and long-term goals.
2. Flexibility
Business demands don’t stay static, so your colocation services shouldn’t either. Whether you need to scale up, scale down, or adapt to new technologies, your provider must be able to accommodate changes quickly and seamlessly. Look for a partner that values flexibility and can evolve alongside your business without compromising quality or service delivery.
3. Proven expertise and accreditation
A strong track record can’t be overstated. Seek out providers with good client references and industry-standard accreditations. These are clear indicators of reliability and professionalism. Beyond this, look for evidence that they exceed expectations, going beyond the basics to deliver exceptional client support.
4. Comprehensive migration support
Moving your IT infrastructure to a new provider is no small feat, but it shouldn’t feel like an insurmountable challenge. The best colocation providers understand this and offer comprehensive transition support to simplify the process. This may include:
- design assistance during the initial transition phase;
- proactive service reporting to ensure smooth operations;
- dedicated client service managers to guide you through the entire project.
5. A client-centric team
At the heart of every great provider is a dedicated team of professionals who care about your success. Long-term partnerships thrive on good working relationships. Take the time to evaluate the ethos and values of the team behind the business – are they approachable, committed, and aligned with your expectations? Do they put the client first?
Partnering with Datum
At Datum, we understand that choosing the right colocation provider is a big decision. That’s why we fully encourage potential clients to dig deep and examine every aspect of our service. We’re proud to provide everything you need to make an informed decision, from detailed information on our approach to client references and even a guided tour of our highly resilient and secure facilities.
If you’re looking for a colocation provider that prioritises your unique needs, delivers exceptional service, and fosters a long-term working relationship, we’d love to help. Contact us today to learn more, arrange a consultation, or visit our state-of-the-art facilities.