Facilities that enable companies to lease space are typically known as managed colocation centres. The colocation data centres are often within a defined cage, or dedicated rack or cabinet. The primary difference between colocation and outsourcing wholesale data centres is that wholesalers (tenants that will lease fully built data centres entirely) are larger than the colocation option. An individual colocation is fully developed with power, heating facilities, connectivity and engineering services available. It is also much smaller than the wholesale alternative. Is It Problematic to Keep Kit on Site? While there is no dispute against leaving kit on site (wholesale or individual), it can reduce the office space. The average colocation site uses computer power, demanding increased resilience in connectivity and capacity. The right type of data centre setting can be quite complex and, therefore, a costly option. The building, managing and maintaining of an in-house data centre can be an invaluable resource for organisations, 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 Colocation 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 centres, it is possible to maintain in-house data centres. Typically, the consideration of outsourcing centres is triggered by a change in the organisation, 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 centres include mergers, acquisitions, office relocation, reallocation of costs or placing pressure on the existing office space. Do All Colocation Centres Provide the Same Service? While the majority of colocation space providers appear to provide the same services, such as resilience, security, cooling systems and connectivity, there are some significant differences between them. Many users purport that what they claim you will receive when using a centre and what you actually receive can be an enormous feature when choosing the data centre. What Features Should I Consider When Choosing a Colocation Space? #1: The Location The first consideration to make is the ease of access regarding the data centre. Can you access the area easily? Moreover, ask yourself how difficult it would be for intruders to reach the space. #2: The Security Level Security is vital in all areas of business including colocation data centres. When looking at security features, the issue of access controls and operator diligence should be considered. #3: 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 centre design is one that has built-in controls, flexible processes and a sturdy structure with a UPS, from somewhere such as the UPS Battery Shop. #4: The Services Available When hiring a colocation data space, it is necessary to consider the services made available to you. For instance, who 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 centre (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 centres where customer satisfaction is essential for success. #5: The Power The ideal data centre is one where energy access is environmentally friendly, efficient and available at a reduced cost. #6: 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. #7: Site Visits and Accreditation Never take a provider’s word regarding the operations of a data centre. 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. #8: Business Growth and Flexibility Business growth and flexibility involves the information placed in fixed contracts. Always check whether or not the agreement allows access to specialist service providers, availability to direct connections and external support if required.