As IT environments change rapidly and businesses navigate increasingly competitive business landscapes and budgetary challenges, we’ve noticed an increase in enquiries from companies who are not only looking to mitigate the financial burden of maintaining their own data centre infrastructure, but are attracted by the ancillary services we provide, which help them remain agile and competitive. Notably, a significant number of these enquiries are from organisations looking to move their workloads out of hyperscale data centres in preference for our service-focused colocation; these organisations aren’t just looking for data centre space, but a partnership that supports the development and optimisation of their IT infrastructure.
Beyond rack space: the move to enterprise-focused colocation
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Partnership-driven colocation solutions
Why is our enterprise-focused model gaining in popularity?
The need for a service wrapper
T infrastructure and workloads are not something that can be simply ‘parked and forgotten’ – they are integral to operational success and require ongoing management and adaptation. Clients value the ‘service wrapper’ provided by our enterprise-focused model, which includes fully in-house engineers and remote hands services, dedicated account managers, flexible service agreements, and access to the services provided by our network of partners (‘Datum Connect’). Importantly, we don’t outsource anything on the service front, which ensures quality of service, rapid response times, and easy points of contact.
Partnership and flexibility
In a world where technology and business needs are constantly changing, flexibility is key. Our enterprise-focused model allows for more adaptable solutions, enabling our clients to scale operations, consolidate resources, and streamline processes as needed. We appreciate that workloads change over time, and we remain adaptable at both the contract and service levels to allow our clients to innovate and respond to market demands swiftly.
Staying close to IT infrastructure
The ability to interact closely with IT systems is a significant advantage for businesses that rely heavily on digital operations. Knowing that they can come on site at any time and that our engineers are available 24/7 to oversee their infrastructure and report any issues, provides peace of mind and ensures that any problems can be addressed promptly. This ensures they remain connected to their IT infrastructure, fostering a sense of ownership and involvement despite geographic separation from equipment.
The rise of outsourced solutions
Businesses constantly face pivotal decisions regarding where and how to manage their IT workloads. As part of this, data centre colocation is a popular choice that offers organisations the infrastructure they need to scale effectively.
Before colocation became a mainstream solution, businesses primarily relied on in-house data management, and the need for controlled environments led to the creation of dedicated server rooms within company premises. However, managing these in-house data centres was costly and complex. Organisations had to invest heavily in equipment, maintenance, and staffing.
Colocation emerged as a response to the growing demand for reliable, scalable, and cost-effective data storage solutions. The concept was simple yet revolutionary – businesses could rent space to house their hardware in a shared, professionally managed environment. This meant that companies could maintain control over their hardware while benefiting from the superior infrastructure provided by colocation facilities (without the capital expenditure). Ultimately, providers began offering more than just physical space; they included security, cooling, power redundancy, and high-speed connectivity. This all-inclusive package made colocation an attractive option for a wide range of industries.
Over time, colocation has evolved to accommodate different models catering to varied business needs, from the expansive hyperscale facilities (offering vast resources and scalability but often lacking personalised service) to more tailored enterprise-focused options like ours (aimed at businesses seeking a balance between high-level infrastructure and custom support – providing flexibility, personal service, and partnership opportunities).
From its beginnings as an alternative to in-house server rooms to its current status as a critical component of digital transformation strategies, colocation has come a long way. The shift from hyperscale to enterprise-focused colocation models reflects a broader trend of businesses seeking more than just space – they want a more personalised colocation model and a partnership that enhances their IT capabilities. By choosing a model that offers flexibility, personal service, and a strong relationship with their service provider, businesses can ensure their IT infrastructure evolves with them, driving success and innovation.
Discover the advantages of our tailored enterprise solutions
If you’re considering making the move or would like to learn more about how our enterprise-focused model can benefit your organisation, get in touch with us today.