For many organisations, colocation is the logical next step for hosting, securing, and connecting their IT infrastructure, particularly as demands grow on IT. It is often a struggle, however, to differentiate one colocation provider from another.
We strongly argue that cost should not be the deciding factor when choosing a colocation provider. Seeking additional value-adds is critical to the success of any infrastructure move.
In theory, moving equipment away from a provider you are unhappy with should be simple. In practice, it is highly complicated and carries serious long-term implications. Due diligence before you commit is key to understanding exactly what a colocation provider has to offer your business.
It is important to consider what may happen in the future, both when times are good and when things might go wrong. This ensures you have a clear picture of how the provider can support your long-term strategy over the coming years.
Given the long-term nature of colocation partnerships, it is highly beneficial to deal with a provider who lets you interact with its full team of staff. This includes professionals across:
Knowing who you will be dealing with after the contract has been signed is essential. It is equally important that they know exactly who you are and understand your business needs.
You must establish a strong relationship between your organisation and those responsible for identifying and rectifying problems within the facility. Effective service management criteria that your provider should offer include:
Do not overlook the actual migration. Securing a provider who will work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition can prove invaluable, paving the way for a successful colocation experience.
The geographic location of the data centre is highly important. You must verify that the site is not prone to environmental risks, such as flooding, and that the facility maintains the exact level of physical and digital security your operations require.
Data centres located in strictly controlled environments, like our ultra secure London edge and Manchester campus sites, deliver total peace of mind for the safe-keeping and security of your IT infrastructure.
Data centre ecosystems, where available, provide tremendous value beyond basic space and power. Our partner ecosystem helps our clients connect with a network of partners offering lifecycle services that support different stages of the colocation journey.
Choosing a new colocation provider is not a decision that should come down solely to cost, nor to standard features that should be taken for granted. You must look for what makes the provider different, what they offer to uniquely support your organisation, and how they can help propel your business to the next level.
Why not visit our London edge and Manchester sites to see our facilities in action: MCR1 and our recently completed MCR2 new build data centre on an ultra-secure site in Manchester featuring an on-site police linked ARC, and FRN1 (our flagship data centre) and our ongoing construction of FRN2 at our London edge government grade site. Get in touch to book your tour.