For modern businesses, a robust and reliable data center is a necessity. However, setting up and maintaining an on-premises data center incurs a sizable financial and operational burden.
Colocation offers a compelling alternative that allows businesses to house their critical IT infrastructure in secure, professionally managed facilities operated by colocation service providers. That said, to fully leverage the benefits of colocation, a well-defined colocation strategy is essential.
This article will explore the importance of a colocation strategy and how to develop one.
What is the value of a colocation strategy?
A colocation strategy serves as a comprehensive roadmap that guides your decisions, from provider selection to migration to maintenance. A carefully developed strategy can offer the following benefits:
- Streamlined transitions: Migrating IT infrastructure to a colocation facility can be complex. A carefully devised migration strategy can help reduce complexity, minimize downtime, and ensure a seamless transition.
- Cost effectiveness: A well-defined strategy should take into account budget constraints, as this allows you to select the most suitable colocation provider without breaking the bank.
- Enhanced security: Data security will always be a major issue for any organization. Your colocation strategy can help you select a facility that ensures your sensitive data’s protection, prevents any lapses in compliance, and meets your other specific security requirements.
- Scalability for future growth: Business growth inevitably demands a change in your IT needs. A colocation strategy takes these future needs into account, guiding you to select a solution that can seamlessly scale to accommodate your growth trajectory.
- Optimized performance: Colocation offers access to cutting-edge high-speed networks and advanced hardware. A well-developed strategy helps you leverage these resources to maximize your IT performance and efficiency.
By taking the time to develop a detailed colocation strategy, you avoid serious missteps that can cost you money, negatively impact your productivity, or compromise your data security.
Building an effective colocation strategy: A step-by-step guide
Now that you understand the importance of a colocation strategy, let’s explore the steps involved in developing one:
1. Identify your business needs
Choosing a colocation provider requires a thorough understanding of your IT needs. This means looking at how much data you store now and what programs you use, along with how your business might grow in the future. You’ll also need to consider your budget and how much you can afford to spend. Finally, think about how secure your data needs to be, especially if there are any regulations you have to follow. Considering these factors puts you on the right track to picking the best colocation option for you.
2. Choose the right colocation provider
Colocation providers’ offerings and capabilities vary widely, so opt for a provider that offers data centers with reliable, high-speed internet and robust security measures that match your data’s sensitivity. Select a provider with a proven track record and the ability to scale with your business to avoid future relocations. Visiting the facility and meeting the team can provide valuable insights into their operations and confirm if they’re a good fit.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, delve deeper into their services to ensure they meet your business needs. Look for uptime guarantees and redundant systems to minimize downtime. Ensure they offer scalability to easily adjust your IT resources as needed. Additionally, check if their security measures include advanced features such as physical security (biometric access, surveillance) and compliance with industry regulations. Finally, check if they offer dedicated, 24/7 technical support to effectively handle unforeseen issues.
3. Plan and prepare your colocation deployment
Executing a successful colocation move requires careful planning of your physical environment, migration strategy, and data protection. This entails assessing your hardware and planning its layout in the colocation space to maximize their services’ value. To minimize downtime during migration, it’s important to have a detailed plan that accounts for off-peak scheduling or a phased approach. And as always, there should be measures to protect your data while the migration is ongoing.
4. Manage your relationship with your provider
Your colocation strategy should be approached as an ongoing effort rather than a one-time task. As market conditions shift and your business grows, your IT needs will evolve. By maintaining an open and continuous dialogue with your colocation provider, they can proactively offer new solutions that align with your changing requirements. Regularly assess your colocation strategy and service agreements to ensur they remain synchronized with your business needs and support your growth.
Develop and refine your colocation strategy by speaking with a Liberty Center One expert. Contact us today.