Choosing a colocation facility or a data center can be a huge undertaking for your business. This is because you will be entrusting the provider with all the crucial infrastructure aspects of your company. So, before you choose any data center, it is important to consider a couple of things, most of which are mentioned in this article. This post is not meant to be the definitive list of questions for every business out there, but it gives you an ideal starting point for choosing the right data center. So, what are the most important things to consider?
Location
There is where you start. The site of the collocation is one of the most important factors to consider, and that can be attributed to a couple of things. First, you need to consider the accessibility of the data center. How easy is someone from your company to reach its physical location? If you require upgrading your software or hardware, you will need to consider accessibility. How susceptible is the area to natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes, floods, and storms? Of course, this is something that a data center takes into consideration when setting up the facility, but it doesn’t hurt to take extra precaution.
Your business’ infrastructure is critical, and so, you need optimum performance and fewer interruptions within the data center. So, the less prone the area is to these disasters, the better. The ecosystem is something else you need to consider, but we shall take an in-depth look at that later. However, you need to ensure that there is adequate power and numerous fiber paths to and from the facility.
Reliability
This is another important thing to consider when choosing a data center. In regards to data centers, reliability can be measured in terms of up-time. A reliable provider will be up at least 99.9999% of the time. This can ideally be referred to as six 9s. Staff certification, on-site support and customer feedback should ideally give you an idea on the company’s reliability.
Flexibility and Scalability
If you think that your business will grow in the coming months or years, then you want to choose a colocation provider that will be able to meet your needs in regards to expansion suggests colocation provider Alternative Networks. Different data centers provide various levels of flexibility. Some will give you great solutions while others may not meet your requirements in the future. In addition to the standard offers, the company should provide more customized solutions, meaning they can address all your data storage and transfer needs. You will also want to consider the availability of additional storage space, connectivity, and power. The ability to scale is vital for any growing business, so don’t hinder your business with the expense of expanding with time.
The Network Ecosystem
The great thing about data centers is that they give you the ability to interconnect withing a shared space. So, if you are looking to connect with distributors, competitors or even partners for peering, this is certainly something to consider. So, before you make a choice, know more about the connectivity options the data center provides. Do they have a vast ecosystem of clients interconnecting with each other? Are they network neutral? Inquire about this before making your final decision.
Financial Stability
This is another important aspect you want to keep in mind. The last thing you want is investing in a data center that’s going to close in a few years. An ideal collocation facility should support you for at least five years or more. The financial history, press releases and financial reporting should give you an idea of how feasible the facility is.
Efficiency In Deployment
How fast do you want your systems up and running? Also, how quickly do you think you’ll need an extra rack space in the future? If you are like most businesses, you’ll want the new space set up as quickly as possible, and you want the infrastructure to be efficient. Efficiency in deployment can be hard to quantify, so make sure you communicate with the vendor regarding the timelines clearly.
Considering all these factors will certainly help you choose an ideal data center. If there are numerous colocation service providers in a particular area, that’s an indication that the region is quite hospitable, reliable and has excellent connectivity and power. Your only job will be to narrow down to the provider with the best package for your needs.
5 Tips for Selecting the Ideal Data Centre Firm
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